DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application is being examined under the pre-AIA first to invent provisions.
Specification
The disclosure is objected to because of the following informalities: the instant specification has identified an US Patent application No. 18/595,352 as a parent application, but however, the US Patent application No. 18/595,352 is currently an US Patent. Thus, for a purpose of clarification, it is suggested to amend the instant specification to update the status of the parent application.
Appropriate correction is required.
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).
The filing of a terminal disclaimer by itself is not a complete reply to a nonstatutory double patenting (NSDP) rejection. A complete reply requires that the terminal disclaimer be accompanied by a reply requesting reconsideration of the prior Office action. Even where the NSDP rejection is provisional the reply must be complete. See MPEP § 804, subsection I.B.1. For a reply to a non-final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.111(a). For a reply to final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.113(c). A request for reconsideration while not provided for in 37 CFR 1.113(c) may be filed after final for consideration. See MPEP §§ 706.07(e) and 714.13.
The USPTO Internet website contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms. The actual 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/apply/applying-online/eterminal-disclaimer.
Claims 1-20 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims of U.S. Patent No. 12,212,532 B2 in view of US 2008/0233891 A1 to Rofougaran et al. (hereafter refers as Rofougaran).
Regarding claim 1, U.S. Patent No. 12,212,532 B2 claims a communication device (see claim 1), comprising:
a first master component (see claim 1) that includes:
a radio modem configured to transmit and receive signals (see claim 1); and
an antenna communicatively coupled to the radio modem (see claim 1); and
a plurality of slave components (see claim 1), each slave component includes:
a first antenna for wireless communication with an external device by a beamforming operation on a first carrier frequency (see claim 1); and
a second antenna for wireless communication with the antenna of the first master component by the beamforming operation on a second carrier frequency (see claim 1),
wherein each of the first antenna and the second antenna is bidirectional (each of the first and second antennas is configured to transmit and receive signals, see claim 1),
each of the plurality of the slave components is configured to (see claim 1):
transmit first signals to the external device by the beamforming operation on the first carrier frequency via the first antenna and receive the first signals from the external device by the beamforming operation on a same first carrier frequency via the first antenna (see claim 1), and
transmit second signals to the first master component by the beamforming operation on the second carrier frequency via the second antenna and receive the second signals from the first master component by the beamforming operation on the same first carrier frequency via the second antenna (see claim 1).
However, U.S. Patent No. 12,212,532 B2 has not claimed each antenna “utilizes a time-duplexing operation to transmit and receive signals”.
Rofougaran teaches each antenna is bidirectional and utilizes a time-duplexing operation to transmit and receive signals (antenna is a bidirectional antenna and utilizes a time-duplexing operation to transmit and receive signals, abstract and paragraphs [39, 49-50]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to incorporate the teachings of each antenna is bidirectional and utilizes a time-duplexing operation to transmit and receive signals as taught by Rofougaran, with the claims of U.S. Patent No. 12,212,532 B2 for a purpose of increase efficiency of communication by enabling the antennas to both transmit and receive signals (see Rofougaran, paragraphs [39, 49-50]).
Regarding claim 2, U.S. Patent No. 12,212,532 B2 further claims wherein the beamforming operation is executed to maximize power of the first signals received at the external device from a corresponding slave component (see claim 1), and
each slave component of the plurality of slave components further includes a frequency converter (see claim 1) configured to:
convert the first signals that are received through the second antenna from the second carrier frequency of the first master component into the first carrier frequency of the external device (see claim 1), and
convert the second signals that are received through the first antenna from the first carrier frequency of the external device into the second carrier frequency of the first master component (see claim 1).
Regarding claim 3, U.S. Patent No. 12,212,532 B2 further claims wherein the first master component and each of the plurality of slave components are physically separate and each includes a separate power source (see claim 2).
Regarding claim 4, U.S. Patent No. 12,212,532 B2 further claims wherein the first master component, each of the plurality of slave components, and the external device are on separate integrated circuit (IC) chips included in an electronic device, and the electronic device utilizes the first master component, each of the plurality of slave components, and the external device for chip-to-chip communication (see claim 3).
Regarding claim 5, U.S. Patent No. 12,212,532 B2 further claims wherein the first master component is configured to program clock timing parameter of each of the plurality of slave components (see claim 4).
Regarding claim 6, U.S. Patent No. 12,212,532 B2 further claims wherein the first master component is configured to operate with one of wireless power or rechargeable batteries (see claim 5).
Regarding claim 7, U.S. Patent No. 12,212,532 B2 further claims wherein the wireless power operates through one of radio frequency (RF) or magnetic induction (see claim 6).
Regarding claim 8, U.S. Patent No. 12,212,532 B2 further claims wherein the first master component further comprises a baseband module communicatively coupled to the radio modem, and the baseband module is configured to: receive bits of digital information and transmit digitally modulated signals to the radio modem, and receive third signals from the radio modem and extract the bits of digital information (see claim 7).
Regarding claim 9, U.S. Patent No. 12,212,532 B2 further claims wherein each of the plurality of slave components further comprises a digital signal processor for digital coding, digital modulation, data framing, data formatting and data packetization for a standard or for frequency conversion (see claim 8).
Regarding claim 10, U.S. Patent No. 12,212,532 B2 further claims wherein the first master component further comprises a first control unit and each of the plurality of slave components further comprises a second control unit communicatively coupled to the first control unit through a control channel for synchronization, gain control, programming, calibration and changing of parameters (see claim 9).
Regarding claim 11, U.S. Patent No. 12,212,532 B2 further claims wherein each of the plurality of slave components further comprises: a duplexer communicatively coupled to the first antenna, the duplexer is configured to receive the first signals from the first antenna and transmit the first signals to the first antenna; a power amplifier communicatively coupled to the duplexer, the power amplifier is configured to amplify the first signals transmitted to the duplexer; and a low noise amplifier configured to amplify the first signals received from the duplexer (see claim 10).
Regarding claim 12, U.S. Patent No. 12,212,532 B2 further claims wherein the first carrier frequency and the second carrier frequency are in a same frequency band (see claim 11).
Regarding claim 13, U.S. Patent No. 12,212,532 B2 claims a communication device (see claim 12), comprising:
a first master component (see claim 12), comprising:
a processor (see claim 12);
a plurality of antennas communicatively coupled to the processor (see claim 12); and
a plurality of slave components, each slave component comprising (see claim 12):
a first antenna for wireless communication with an external device of a plurality of external devices by a beamforming operation on a first carrier frequency (see claim 12); and
a second antenna for wireless communication with each of the plurality of antennas of the first master component by the beamforming operation on a second carrier frequency (see claim 12); and
wherein each of the first antenna and the second antenna is bidirectional (each of the first and second antennas is configured to transmit and receive signals, see claim 12),
the processor is configured to:
select one or more master components from a set of master components to directly communicate with the first master component (see claim 12);
select a set of slave components from the plurality of slave components to communicate a plurality of data streams with one or more external devices of the plurality of external devices, wherein the set of slave components is selected from the plurality of slave components based on a set of criteria (see claim 12); and
execute a beamforming operation for the set of slave components to maximize power of a signal received at the one or more external devices from the set of slave components (see claim 12).
However, U.S. Patent No. 12,212,532 B2 has not claimed each antenna “utilizes a time-duplexing operation to transmit and receive signals”.
Rofougaran teaches each antenna is bidirectional and utilizes a time-duplexing operation to transmit and receive signals (antenna is a bidirectional antenna and utilizes a time-duplexing operation to transmit and receive signals, abstract and paragraphs [39, 49-50]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to incorporate the teachings of each antenna is bidirectional and utilizes a time-duplexing operation to transmit and receive signals as taught by Rofougaran, with the claims of U.S. Patent No. 12,212,532 B2 for a purpose of increase efficiency of communication by enabling the antennas to both transmit and receive signals (see Rofougaran, paragraphs [39, 49-50]).
Regarding claim 14, U.S. Patent No. 12,212,532 B2 further claims wherein the set of criteria comprises one of: an optimal bit error rate of signals exchanged between the first master component and one or more slave components of the plurality of slave components, a signal to noise ratio of the signals exchanged between the first master component and the one or more slave components of the plurality of slave components, power consumption of the first master component, power consumption of the one or more slave components, an optimal bit error rate of signals exchanged between the one or more slave components and the one or more external devices, a signal to noise ratio of the signals exchanged between the one or more slave components and the one or more external devices, or an Electronic Vector Magnitude (EVM) (see claim 13).
Regarding claim 15, U.S. Patent No. 12,212,532 B2 further claims wherein the set of criteria comprises determination of communication between a first slave component and the first master component with a performance that is below a threshold, and selection of the set of slave components comprises a second slave component programmed as an intermediary to: receive signals from the first master component and transmit the signals received from the first master component to the first slave component, and receive signals from the first slave component and transmit the signals received from the first slave component to the first master component (see claim 14).
Regarding claim 16, U.S. Patent No. 12,212,532 B2 further claims wherein the selection of the set of slave components further comprises a first slave component programmed to: receive signals from a second slave component and transmit the signals received from the second slave component to an external device of the one or more external devices, and receive signals from the external device and transmit the signals received from the external device to the second slave component (see claim 15).
Regarding claim 17, U.S. Patent No. 12,212,532 B2 further claims wherein the first master component is configured to: communicate with a first slave component from the plurality of slave components based on a first wireless communication standard; and communicate with a second slave component from the plurality of slave components based on a second wireless communication standard (see claim 16).
Regarding claim 18, U.S. Patent No. 12,212,532 B2 further claims wherein the first master component is configured to program clock timing parameter of each of the plurality of slave components (see claim 17).
Regarding claim 19, U.S. Patent No. 12,212,532 B2 further claims wherein the first master component further comprises a beamforming module for communication with the second antenna of each slave component in the set of slave components using a unique combination of an RF delay, a signal phase, and a signal amplitude used by each slave component of the plurality of slave components (see claim 18).
Regarding claim 20, U.S. Patent No. 12,212,532 B2 further claims wherein each of the plurality of slave components further comprises: a duplexer communicatively coupled to the first antenna, the duplexer is configured to receive first signals from the first antenna and transmit the first signals to the first antenna; a power amplifier communicatively coupled to the duplexer, the power amplifier is configured to amplify the first signals transmitted to the duplexer; and a low noise amplifier configured to amplify the first signals received from the duplexer (see claim 19).
Claims 1 and 3-20 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims of U.S. Patent No. 11,924,147 B2 in view of US 2008/0233891 A1 to Rofougaran et al. (hereafter refers as Rofougaran).
Regarding claim 1, U.S. Patent No. 11,924,147 B2 claims a communication device (see claim 1), comprising:
a first master component (see claim 1) that includes:
a radio modem configured to transmit and receive signals (see claim 1); and
an antenna communicatively coupled to the radio modem (see claim 1); and
a plurality of slave components (see claim 1), each slave component includes:
a first antenna for wireless communication with an external device by a beamforming operation on a first carrier frequency (see claim 1); and
a second antenna for wireless communication with the antenna of the first master component by the beamforming operation on a second carrier frequency (see claim 1),
wherein each of the first antenna and the second antenna is bidirectional (each of the first and second antennas is configured to transmit and receive signals, see claims 10 and 11),
each of the plurality of the slave components is configured to (see claim 11):
transmit first signals to the external device by the beamforming operation on the first carrier frequency via the first antenna and receive the first signals from the external device by the beamforming operation on a same first carrier frequency via the first antenna (see claim 11), and
transmit second signals to the first master component by the beamforming operation on the second carrier frequency via the second antenna and receive the second signals from the first master component by the beamforming operation on the same first carrier frequency via the second antenna (see claim 11).
However, U.S. Patent No. 11,924,147 B2 has not claimed each antenna “utilizes a time-duplexing operation to transmit and receive signals”.
Rofougaran teaches each antenna is bidirectional and utilizes a time-duplexing operation to transmit and receive signals (antenna is a bidirectional antenna and utilizes a time-duplexing operation to transmit and receive signals, abstract and paragraphs [39, 49-50]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to incorporate the teachings of each antenna is bidirectional and utilizes a time-duplexing operation to transmit and receive signals as taught by Rofougaran, with the claims of U.S. Patent No. 11,924,147 B2 for a purpose of increase efficiency of communication by enabling the antennas to both transmit and receive signals (see Rofougaran, paragraphs [39, 49-50]).
Regarding claim 3, U.S. Patent No. 11,924,147 B2 further claims wherein the first master component and each of the plurality of slave components are physically separate and each includes a separate power source (see claim 2).
Regarding claim 4, U.S. Patent No. 11,924,147 B2 further claims wherein the first master component, each of the plurality of slave components, and the external device are on separate integrated circuit (IC) chips included in an electronic device, and the electronic device utilizes the first master component, each of the plurality of slave components, and the external device for chip-to-chip communication (see claim 3).
Regarding claim 5, U.S. Patent No. 11,924,147 B2 further claims wherein the first master component is configured to program clock timing parameter of each of the plurality of slave components (see claim 4).
Regarding claim 6, U.S. Patent No. 11,924,147 B2 further claims wherein the first master component is configured to operate with one of wireless power or rechargeable batteries (see claim 5).
Regarding claim 7, U.S. Patent No. 11,924,147 B2 further claims wherein the wireless power operates through one of radio frequency (RF) or magnetic induction (see claim 6).
Regarding claim 8, U.S. Patent No. 11,924,147 B2 further claims wherein the first master component further comprises a baseband module communicatively coupled to the radio modem, and the baseband module is configured to: receive bits of digital information and transmit digitally modulated signals to the radio modem, and receive third signals from the radio modem and extract the bits of digital information (see claim 7).
Regarding claim 9, U.S. Patent No. 11,924,147 B2 further claims wherein each of the plurality of slave components further comprises a digital signal processor for digital coding, digital modulation, data framing, data formatting and data packetization for a standard or for frequency conversion (see claim 8).
Regarding claim 10, U.S. Patent No. 11,924,147 B2 further claims wherein the first master component further comprises a first control unit and each of the plurality of slave components further comprises a second control unit communicatively coupled to the first control unit through a control channel for synchronization, gain control, programming, calibration and changing of parameters (see claim 9).
Regarding claim 11, U.S. Patent No. 11,924,147 B2 further claims wherein each of the plurality of slave components further comprises: a duplexer communicatively coupled to the first antenna, the duplexer is configured to receive the first signals from the first antenna and transmit the first signals to the first antenna; a power amplifier communicatively coupled to the duplexer, the power amplifier is configured to amplify the first signals transmitted to the duplexer; and a low noise amplifier configured to amplify the first signals received from the duplexer (see claim 10).
Regarding claim 12, U.S. Patent No. 11,924,147 B2 further claims wherein the first carrier frequency and the second carrier frequency are in a same frequency band (see claim 1).
Regarding claim 13, U.S. Patent No. 11,924,147 B2 claims a communication device (see claim 12), comprising:
a first master component (see claim 12), comprising:
a processor (see claim 12);
a plurality of antennas communicatively coupled to the processor (see claim 12); and
a plurality of slave components, each slave component comprising (see claim 12):
a first antenna for wireless communication with an external device of a plurality of external devices by a beamforming operation on a first carrier frequency (see claim 12); and
a second antenna for wireless communication with each of the plurality of antennas of the first master component by the beamforming operation on a second carrier frequency (see claim 12); and
wherein each of the first antenna and the second antenna is bidirectional (each of the first and second antennas is configured to transmit and receive signals, see claim 12),
the processor is configured to:
select one or more master components from a set of master components to directly communicate with the first master component (see claim 12);
select a set of slave components from the plurality of slave components to communicate a plurality of data streams with one or more external devices of the plurality of external devices, wherein the set of slave components is selected from the plurality of slave components based on a set of criteria (see claim 12); and
execute a beamforming operation for the set of slave components to maximize power of a signal received at the one or more external devices from the set of slave components (see claim 12).
However, U.S. Patent No. 11,924,147 B2 has not claimed each antenna “utilizes a time-duplexing operation to transmit and receive signals”.
Rofougaran teaches each antenna is bidirectional and utilizes a time-duplexing operation to transmit and receive signals (antenna is a bidirectional antenna and utilizes a time-duplexing operation to transmit and receive signals, abstract and paragraphs [39, 49-50]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to incorporate the teachings of each antenna is bidirectional and utilizes a time-duplexing operation to transmit and receive signals as taught by Rofougaran, with the claims of U.S. Patent No. 11,924,147 B2 for a purpose of increase efficiency of communication by enabling the antennas to both transmit and receive signals (see Rofougaran, paragraphs [39, 49-50]).
Regarding claim 14, U.S. Patent No. 11,924,147 B2 further claims wherein the set of criteria comprises one of: an optimal bit error rate of signals exchanged between the first master component and one or more slave components of the plurality of slave components, a signal to noise ratio of the signals exchanged between the first master component and the one or more slave components of the plurality of slave components, power consumption of the first master component, power consumption of the one or more slave components, an optimal bit error rate of signals exchanged between the one or more slave components and the one or more external devices, a signal to noise ratio of the signals exchanged between the one or more slave components and the one or more external devices, or an Electronic Vector Magnitude (EVM) (see claim 13).
Regarding claim 15, U.S. Patent No. 11,924,147 B2 further claims wherein the set of criteria comprises determination of communication between a first slave component and the first master component with a performance that is below a threshold, and selection of the set of slave components comprises a second slave component programmed as an intermediary to: receive signals from the first master component and transmit the signals received from the first master component to the first slave component, and receive signals from the first slave component and transmit the signals received from the first slave component to the first master component (see claim 14).
Regarding claim 16, U.S. Patent No. 11,924,147 B2 further claims wherein the selection of the set of slave components further comprises a first slave component programmed to: receive signals from a second slave component and transmit the signals received from the second slave component to an external device of the one or more external devices, and receive signals from the external device and transmit the signals received from the external device to the second slave component (see claim 15).
Regarding claim 17, U.S. Patent No. 11,924,147 B2 further claims wherein the first master component is configured to: communicate with a first slave component from the plurality of slave components based on a first wireless communication standard; and communicate with a second slave component from the plurality of slave components based on a second wireless communication standard (see claim 17).
Regarding claim 18, U.S. Patent No. 11,924,147 B2 further claims wherein the first master component is configured to program clock timing parameter of each of the plurality of slave components (see claim 18).
Regarding claim 19, U.S. Patent No. 11,924,147 B2 further claims wherein the first master component further comprises a beamforming module for communication with the second antenna of each slave component in the set of slave components using a unique combination of an RF delay, a signal phase, and a signal amplitude used by each slave component of the plurality of slave components (see claim 19).
Regarding claim 20, U.S. Patent No. 11,924,147 B2 further claims wherein each of the plurality of slave components further comprises: a duplexer communicatively coupled to the first antenna, the duplexer is configured to receive first signals from the first antenna and transmit the first signals to the first antenna; a power amplifier communicatively coupled to the duplexer, the power amplifier is configured to amplify the first signals transmitted to the duplexer; and a low noise amplifier configured to amplify the first signals received from the duplexer (see claim 20).
Claim 2 is rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims of U.S. Patent No. 11,924,147 B2 in view of US 2008/0233891 A1 to Rofougaran et al. (hereafter refers as Rofougaran) as applied to claims above, and further in view of US 2008/0159243 A1 to Rofougaran (hereafter refers as Rofougaran’243).
Regarding claim 2, U.S. Patent No. 11,924,147 B2 in view of Rofougaran further claims wherein the beamforming operation is executed to maximize power of the first signals received at the external device from a corresponding slave component (see U.S. Patent No. 11,924,147 B2, claim 2).
However, U.S. Patent No. 11,924,147 B2 in view of Rofougaran has not claimed each slave component of the plurality of slave components further includes “a frequency converter configured to: convert the first signals that are received through the second antenna from the second carrier frequency of the first master component into the first carrier frequency of the external device, and convert the second signals that are received through the first antenna from the first carrier frequency of the external device into the second carrier frequency of the first master component”.
Rofougaran’243 teaches each slave component of the plurality of slave components (FIGs. 2, 14-15, 20 25, second radio devices 60/slaves; see paragraphs [43-47]) further includes a frequency converter (wherein the slave component with the remote communication transceiver is configured to perform the function of frequency conversions, paragraphs [46, 85, 110, 139]) configured to:
convert the first signals that are received through the second antenna from the second carrier frequency of the first master component into the first carrier frequency of the external device (converting signals in one of the frequencies of the master, i.e. the master using a plurality of frequencies to communicate with slaves, Fig. 15-16 and 20, to a frequency of remote device(s)/other transceiver(s) on another board, see paragraphs [68-69, 75, 81, 82, 97, 139] and Fig. 15, 16, 20, 26), and
convert the second signals that are received through the first antenna from the first carrier frequency of the external device into the second carrier frequency of the first master component (wherein the remote device accesses a local device/master on the board, paragraph [139], the slave translates the frequency of signals of remote device(s), i.e. signals of the first frequency, into signals of one of frequencies of the master, i.e. signals of the second frequency, wherein the master using a plurality of frequencies to communicate with slaves, Fig. 15-16 and 20 and see paragraphs [68, 69, 75, 81, 82, 97, 139] and Fig. 15, 16, 20, 26).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to incorporate the teachings of a frequency converter configured to: convert the first signals that are received through the second antenna from the second carrier frequency of the first master component into the first carrier frequency of the external device, and convert the second signals that are received through the first antenna from the first carrier frequency of the external device into the second carrier frequency of the first master component as taught by Rofougaran’243, with the claims of U.S. Patent No. 11,924,147 B2 in view of Rofougaran, for a purpose of increase efficiency of communication by communicating over variety of carrier frequencies (see Rofougaran’243, Fig. 15-16 and 20 and see paragraphs [68, 69, 75, 81, 82, 97, 139] and Fig. 15, 16, 20, 26).
Claims 1 and 3-20 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims of U.S. Patent No. 11,664,965 B2 in view of US 2008/0233891 A1 to Rofougaran et al. (hereafter refers as Rofougaran).
Regarding claim 1, U.S. Patent No. 11,664,965 B2 claims a communication device (see claim 1), comprising:
a first master component (see claim 1) that includes:
a radio modem configured to transmit and receive signals (see claim 1); and
an antenna communicatively coupled to the radio modem (see claim 1); and
a plurality of slave components (see claim 1), each slave component includes:
a first antenna for wireless communication with an external device by a beamforming operation on a first carrier frequency (see claim 1); and
a second antenna for wireless communication with the antenna of the first master component by the beamforming operation on a second carrier frequency (see claim 1),
wherein each of the first antenna and the second antenna is bidirectional (each of the first and second antennas is configured to transmit and receive signals, see claim 1 and 10),
each of the plurality of the slave components is configured to (see claim 1):
transmit first signals to the external device by the beamforming operation on the first carrier frequency via the first antenna and receive the first signals from the external device by the beamforming operation on a same first carrier frequency via the first antenna (see claim 1), and
transmit second signals to the first master component by the beamforming operation on the second carrier frequency via the second antenna and receive the second signals from the first master component by the beamforming operation on the same first carrier frequency via the second antenna (see claim 1).
However, U.S. Patent No. 11,664,965 B2 has not claimed each antenna “utilizes a time-duplexing operation to transmit and receive signals”.
Rofougaran teaches each antenna is bidirectional and utilizes a time-duplexing operation to transmit and receive signals (antenna is a bidirectional antenna and utilizes a time-duplexing operation to transmit and receive signals, abstract and paragraphs [39, 49-50]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to incorporate the teachings of each antenna is bidirectional and utilizes a time-duplexing operation to transmit and receive signals as taught by Rofougaran, with the claims of U.S. Patent No. 11,664,965 B2 for a purpose of increase efficiency of communication by enabling the antennas to both transmit and receive signals (see Rofougaran, paragraphs [39, 49-50]).
Regarding claim 3, U.S. Patent No. 11,664,965 B2 further claims wherein the first master component and each of the plurality of slave components are physically separate and each includes a separate power source (see claim 2).
Regarding claim 4, U.S. Patent No. 11,664,965 B2 further claims wherein the first master component, each of the plurality of slave components, and the external device are on separate integrated circuit (IC) chips included in an electronic device, and the electronic device utilizes the first master component, each of the plurality of slave components, and the external device for chip-to-chip communication (see claim 3).
Regarding claim 5, U.S. Patent No. 11,664,965 B2 further claims wherein the first master component is configured to program clock timing parameter of each of the plurality of slave components (see claim 4).
Regarding claim 6, U.S. Patent No. 11,664,965 B2 further claims wherein the first master component is configured to operate with one of wireless power or rechargeable batteries (see claim 5).
Regarding claim 7, U.S. Patent No. 11,664,965 B2 further claims wherein the wireless power operates through one of radio frequency (RF) or magnetic induction (see claim 6).
Regarding claim 8, U.S. Patent No. 11,664,965 B2 further claims wherein the first master component further comprises a baseband module communicatively coupled to the radio modem, and the baseband module is configured to: receive bits of digital information and transmit digitally modulated signals to the radio modem, and receive third signals from the radio modem and extract the bits of digital information (see claim 7).
Regarding claim 9, U.S. Patent No. 11,664,965 B2 further claims wherein each of the plurality of slave components further comprises a digital signal processor for digital coding, digital modulation, data framing, data formatting and data packetization for a standard or for frequency conversion (see claim 8).
Regarding claim 10, U.S. Patent No. 11,664,965 B2 further claims wherein the first master component further comprises a first control unit and each of the plurality of slave components further comprises a second control unit communicatively coupled to the first control unit through a control channel for synchronization, gain control, programming, calibration and changing of parameters (see claim 9).
Regarding claim 11, U.S. Patent No. 11,664,965 B2 further claims wherein each of the plurality of slave components further comprises: a duplexer communicatively coupled to the first antenna, the duplexer is configured to receive the first signals from the first antenna and transmit the first signals to the first antenna; a power amplifier communicatively coupled to the duplexer, the power amplifier is configured to amplify the first signals transmitted to the duplexer; and a low noise amplifier configured to amplify the first signals received from the duplexer (see claim 10).
Regarding claim 12, U.S. Patent No. 11,664,965 B2 further claims wherein the first carrier frequency and the second carrier frequency are in a same frequency band (see claim 1).
Regarding claim 13, U.S. Patent No. 11,664,965 B2 claims a communication device (see claim 11), comprising:
a first master component (see claim 11), comprising:
a processor (see claim 11);
a plurality of antennas communicatively coupled to the processor (see claim 11); and
a plurality of slave components, each slave component comprising (see claim 11):
a first antenna for wireless communication with an external device of a plurality of external devices by a beamforming operation on a first carrier frequency (see claim 11); and
a second antenna for wireless communication with each of the plurality of antennas of the first master component by the beamforming operation on a second carrier frequency (see claim 11); and
wherein each of the first antenna and the second antenna is bidirectional (each of the first and second antennas is configured to transmit and receive signals, see claim 11 and 19),
the processor is configured to:
select one or more master components from a set of master components to directly communicate with the first master component (see claim 11);
select a set of slave components from the plurality of slave components to communicate a plurality of data streams with one or more external devices of the plurality of external devices, wherein the set of slave components is selected from the plurality of slave components based on a set of criteria (see claim 11); and
execute a beamforming operation for the set of slave components to maximize power of a signal received at the one or more external devices from the set of slave components (see claim 11).
However, U.S. Patent No. 11,664,965 B2 has not claimed each antenna “utilizes a time-duplexing operation to transmit and receive signals”.
Rofougaran teaches each antenna is bidirectional and utilizes a time-duplexing operation to transmit and receive signals (antenna is a bidirectional antenna and utilizes a time-duplexing operation to transmit and receive signals, abstract and paragraphs [39, 49-50]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to incorporate the teachings of each antenna is bidirectional and utilizes a time-duplexing operation to transmit and receive signals as taught by Rofougaran, with the claims of U.S. Patent No. 11,664,965 B2 for a purpose of increase efficiency of communication by enabling the antennas to both transmit and receive signals (see Rofougaran, paragraphs [39, 49-50]).
Regarding claim 14, U.S. Patent No. 11,664,965 B2 further claims wherein the set of criteria comprises one of: an optimal bit error rate of signals exchanged between the first master component and one or more slave components of the plurality of slave components, a signal to noise ratio of the signals exchanged between the first master component and the one or more slave components of the plurality of slave components, power consumption of the first master component, power consumption of the one or more slave components, an optimal bit error rate of signals exchanged between the one or more slave components and the one or more external devices, a signal to noise ratio of the signals exchanged between the one or more slave components and the one or more external devices, or an Electronic Vector Magnitude (EVM) (see claim 12).
Regarding claim 15, U.S. Patent No. 11,664,965 B2 further claims wherein the set of criteria comprises determination of communication between a first slave component and the first master component with a performance that is below a threshold, and selection of the set of slave components comprises a second slave component programmed as an intermediary to: receive signals from the first master component and transmit the signals received from the first master component to the first slave component, and receive signals from the first slave component and transmit the signals received from the first slave component to the first master component (see claim 13).
Regarding claim 16, U.S. Patent No. 11,664,965 B2 further claims wherein the selection of the set of slave components further comprises a first slave component programmed to: receive signals from a second slave component and transmit the signals received from the second slave component to an external device of the one or more external devices, and receive signals from the external device and transmit the signals received from the external device to the second slave component (see claim 14).
Regarding claim 17, U.S. Patent No. 11,664,965 B2 further claims wherein the first master component is configured to: communicate with a first slave component from the plurality of slave components based on a first wireless communication standard; and communicate with a second slave component from the plurality of slave components based on a second wireless communication standard (see claim 15).
Regarding claim 18, U.S. Patent No. 11,664,965 B2 further claims wherein the first master component is configured to program clock timing parameter of each of the plurality of slave components (see claim 16).
Regarding claim 19, U.S. Patent No. 11,664,965 B2 further claims wherein the first master component further comprises a beamforming module for communication with the second antenna of each slave component in the set of slave components using a unique combination of an RF delay, a signal phase, and a signal amplitude used by each slave component of the plurality of slave components (see claim 17).
Regarding claim 20, U.S. Patent No. 11,664,965 B2 further claims wherein each of the plurality of slave components further comprises: a duplexer communicatively coupled to the first antenna, the duplexer is configured to receive first signals from the first antenna and transmit the first signals to the first antenna; a power amplifier communicatively coupled to the duplexer, the power amplifier is configured to amplify the first signals transmitted to the duplexer; and a low noise amplifier configured to amplify the first signals received from the duplexer (see claim 19).
Claim 2 is rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims of U.S. Patent No. 11,664,965 B2 in view of US 2008/0233891 A1 to Rofougaran et al. (hereafter refers as Rofougaran) as applied to claims above, and further in view of US 2008/0159243 A1 to Rofougaran (hereafter refers as Rofougaran’243).
Regarding claim 2, U.S. Patent No. 11,664,965 B2 in view of Rofougaran further claims wherein the beamforming operation is executed to maximize power of the first signals received at the external device from a corresponding slave component (see U.S. Patent No. 11,664,965 B2, claim 2).
However, U.S. Patent No. 11,664,965 B2 in view of Rofougaran has not claimed each slave component of the plurality of slave components further includes “a frequency converter configured to: convert the first signals that are received through the second antenna from the second carrier frequency of the first master component into the first carrier frequency of the external device, and convert the second signals that are received through the first antenna from the first carrier frequency of the external device into the second carrier frequency of the first master component”.
Rofougaran’243 teaches each slave component of the plurality of slave components (FIGs. 2, 14-15, 20 25, second radio devices 60/slaves; see paragraphs [43-47]) further includes a frequency converter (wherein the slave component with the remote communication transceiver is configured to perform the function of frequency conversions, paragraphs [46, 85, 110, 139]) configured to:
convert the first signals that are received through the second antenna from the second carrier frequency of the first master component into the first carrier frequency of the external device (converting signals in one of the frequencies of the master, i.e. the master using a plurality of frequencies to communicate with slaves, Fig. 15-16 and 20, to a frequency of remote device(s)/other transceiver(s) on another board, see paragraphs [68-69, 75, 81, 82, 97, 139] and Fig. 15, 16, 20, 26), and
convert the second signals that are received through the first antenna from the first carrier frequency of the external device into the second carrier frequency of the first master component (wherein the remote device accesses a local device/master on the board, paragraph [139], the slave translates the frequency of signals of remote device(s), i.e. signals of the first frequency, into signals of one of frequencies of the master, i.e. signals of the second frequency, wherein the master using a plurality of frequencies to communicate with slaves, Fig. 15-16 and 20 and see paragraphs [68, 69, 75, 81, 82, 97, 139] and Fig. 15, 16, 20, 26).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to incorporate the teachings of a frequency converter configured to: convert the first signals that are received through the second antenna from the second carrier frequency of the first master component into the first carrier frequency of the external device, and convert the second signals that are received through the first antenna from the first carrier frequency of the external device into the second carrier frequency of the first master component as taught by Rofougaran’243, with the claims of U.S. Patent No. 11,664,965 B2 in view of Rofougaran, for a purpose of increase efficiency of communication by communicating over variety of carrier frequencies (see Rofougaran’243, Fig. 15-16 and 20 and see paragraphs [68, 69, 75, 81, 82, 97, 139] and Fig. 15, 16, 20, 26).
Claims 1 and 3-12 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims of U.S. Patent No. 11,283,585 B2 in view of US 2008/0233891 A1 to Rofougaran et al. (hereafter refers as Rofougaran).
Regarding claim 1, U.S. Patent No. 11,283,585 B2 claims a communication device (see claim 1), comprising:
a first master component (see claim 1) that includes:
a radio modem configured to transmit and receive signals (see claim 1); and
an antenna communicatively coupled to the radio modem (see claim 1); and
a plurality of slave components (see claim 1), each slave component includes:
a first antenna for wireless communication with an external device by a beamforming operation on a first carrier frequency (see claim 1); and
a second antenna for wireless communication with the antenna of the first master component by the beamforming operation on a second carrier frequency (see claim 1),
wherein each of the first antenna and the second antenna is bidirectional (each of the first and second antennas is configured to transmit and receive signals, see claim 1 and 11),
each of the plurality of the slave components is configured to (see claim 1):
transmit first signals to the external device by the beamforming operation on the first carrier frequency via the first antenna and receive the first signals from the external device by the beamforming operation on a same first carrier frequency via the first antenna (see claim 1), and
transmit second signals to the first master component by the beamforming operation on the second carrier frequency via the second antenna and receive the second signals from the first master component by the beamforming operation on the same first carrier frequency via the second antenna (see claim 1).
However, U.S. Patent No. 11,283,585 B2 has not claimed each antenna “utilizes a time-duplexing operation to transmit and receive signals”.
Rofougaran teaches each antenna is bidirectional and utilizes a time-duplexing operation to transmit and receive signals (antenna is a bidirectional antenna and utilizes a time-duplexing operation to transmit and receive signals, abstract and paragraphs [39, 49-50]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to incorporate the teachings of each antenna is bidirectional and utilizes a time-duplexing operation to transmit and receive signals as taught by Rofougaran, with the claims of U.S. Patent No. 11,283,585 B2 for a purpose of increase efficiency of communication by enabling the antennas to both transmit and receive signals (see Rofougaran, paragraphs [39, 49-50]).
Regarding claim 3, U.S. Patent No. 11,283,585 B2 further claims wherein the first master component and each of the plurality of slave components are physically separate and each includes a separate power source (see claim 2).
Regarding claim 4, U.S. Patent No. 11,283,585 B2 further claims wherein the first master component, each of the plurality of slave components, and the external device are on separate integrated circuit (IC) chips included in an electronic device, and the electronic device utilizes the first master component, each of the plurality of slave components, and the external device for chip-to-chip communication (see claim 3).
Regarding claim 5, U.S. Patent No. 11,283,585 B2 further claims wherein the first master component is configured to program clock timing parameter of each of the plurality of slave components (see claim 4).
Regarding claim 6, U.S. Patent No. 11,283,585 B2 further claims wherein the first master component is configured to operate with one of wireless power or rechargeable batteries (see claim 5).
Regarding claim 7, U.S. Patent No. 11,283,585 B2 further claims wherein the wireless power operates through one of radio frequency (RF) or magnetic induction (see claim 6).
Regarding claim 8, U.S. Patent No. 11,283,585 B2 further claims wherein the first master component further comprises a baseband module communicatively coupled to the radio modem, and the baseband module is configured to: receive bits of digital information and transmit digitally modulated signals to the radio modem, and receive third signals from the radio modem and extract the bits of digital information (see claim 7).
Regarding claim 9, U.S. Patent No. 11,283,585 B2 further claims wherein each of the plurality of slave components further comprises a digital signal processor for digital coding, digital modulation, data framing, data formatting and data packetization for a standard or for frequency conversion (see claim 8).
Regarding claim 10, U.S. Patent No. 11,283,585 B2 further claims wherein the first master component further comprises a first control unit and each of the plurality of slave components further comprises a second control unit communicatively coupled to the first control unit through a control channel for synchronization, gain control, programming, calibration and changing of parameters (see claim 9).
Regarding claim 11, U.S. Patent No. 11,283,585 B2 further claims wherein each of the plurality of slave components further comprises: a duplexer communicatively coupled to the first antenna, the duplexer is configured to receive the first signals from the first antenna and transmit the first signals to the first antenna; a power amplifier communicatively coupled to the duplexer, the power amplifier is configured to amplify the first signals transmitted to the duplexer; and a low noise amplifier configured to amplify the first signals received from the duplexer (see claim 11).
Regarding claim 12, U.S. Patent No. 11,283,585 B2 further claims wherein the first carrier frequency and the second carrier frequency are in a same frequency band (see claim 1).
Claim 2 is rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims of U.S. Patent No. 11,664,965 B2 in view of US 2008/0233891 A1 to Rofougaran et al. (hereafter refers as Rofougaran) as applied to claims above, and further in view of US 2008/0159243 A1 to Rofougaran (hereafter refers as Rofougaran’243).
Regarding claim 2, U.S. Patent No. 11,664,965 B2 in view of Rofougaran further claims wherein the beamforming operation is executed to maximize power of the first signals received at the external device from a corresponding slave component (see U.S. Patent No. 11,664,965 B2, claim 2).
However, U.S. Patent No. 11,664,965 B2 in view of Rofougaran has not claimed each slave component of the plurality of slave components further includes “a frequency converter configured to: convert the first signals that are received through the second antenna from the second carrier frequency of the first master component into the first carrier frequency of the external device, and convert the second signals that are received through the first antenna from the first carrier frequency of the external device into the second carrier frequency of the first master component”.
Rofougaran’243 teaches each slave component of the plurality of slave components (FIGs. 2, 14-15, 20 25, second radio devices 60/slaves; see paragraphs [43-47]) further includes a frequency converter (wherein the slave component with the remote communication transceiver is configured to perform the function of frequency conversions, paragraphs [46, 85, 110, 139]) configured to:
convert the first signals that are received through the second antenna from the second carrier frequency of the first master component into the first carrier frequency of the external device (converting signals in one of the frequencies of the master, i.e. the master using a plurality of frequencies to communicate with slaves, Fig. 15-16 and 20, to a frequency of remote device(s)/other transceiver(s) on another board, see paragraphs [68-69, 75, 81, 82, 97, 139] and Fig. 15, 16, 20, 26), and
convert the second signals that are received through the first antenna from the first carrier frequency of the external device into the second carrier frequency of the first master component (wherein the remote device accesses a local device/master on the board, paragraph [139], the slave translates the frequency of signals of remote device(s), i.e. signals of the first frequency, into signals of one of frequencies of the master, i.e. signals of the second frequency, wherein the master using a plurality of frequencies to communicate with slaves, Fig. 15-16 and 20 and see paragraphs [68, 69, 75, 81, 82, 97, 139] and Fig. 15, 16, 20, 26).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to incorporate the teachings of a frequency converter configured to: convert the first signals that are received through the second antenna from the second carrier frequency of the first master component into the first carrier frequency of the external device, and convert the second signals that are received through the first antenna from the first carrier frequency of the external device into the second carrier frequency of the first master component as taught by Rofougaran’243, with the claims of U.S. Patent No. 11,664,965 B2 in view of Rofougaran, for a purpose of increase efficiency of communication by communicating over variety of carrier frequencies (see Rofougaran’243, Fig. 15-16 and 20 and see paragraphs [68, 69, 75, 81, 82, 97, 139] and Fig. 15, 16, 20, 26).
Claims 1, 3-4 and 6-12 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims of U.S. Patent No. 10,771,228 B2 in view of US 2008/0233891 A1 to Rofougaran et al. (hereafter refers as Rofougaran).
Regarding claim 1, U.S. Patent No. 10,771,228 B2 claims a communication device (see claim 1), comprising:
a first master component (see claim 1) that includes:
a radio modem configured to transmit and receive signals (see claim 1); and
an antenna communicatively coupled to the radio modem (see claim 1); and
a plurality of slave components (see claim 1), each slave component includes:
a first antenna for wireless communication with an external device by a beamforming operation on a first carrier frequency (see claim 1); and
a second antenna for wireless communication with the antenna of the first master component by the beamforming operation on a second carrier frequency (see claim 1),
wherein each of the first antenna and the second antenna is bidirectional (each of the first and second antennas is configured to transmit and receive signals, see claim 1),
each of the plurality of the slave components is configured to (see claim 1):
transmit first signals to the external device by the beamforming operation on the first carrier frequency via the first antenna and receive the first signals from the external device by the beamforming operation on a same first carrier frequency via the first antenna (see claim 1), and
transmit second signals to the first master component by the beamforming operation on the second carrier frequency via the second antenna and receive the second signals from the first master component by the beamforming operation on the same first carrier frequency via the second antenna (see claim 1).
However, U.S. Patent No. 10,771,228 B2 has not claimed each antenna “utilizes a time-duplexing operation to transmit and receive signals”.
Rofougaran teaches each antenna is bidirectional and utilizes a time-duplexing operation to transmit and receive signals (antenna is a bidirectional antenna and utilizes a time-duplexing operation to transmit and receive signals, abstract and paragraphs [39, 49-50]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to incorporate the teachings of each antenna is bidirectional and utilizes a time-duplexing operation to transmit and receive signals as taught by Rofougaran, with the claims of U.S. Patent No. 10,771,228 B2 for a purpose of increase efficiency of communication by enabling the antennas to both transmit and receive signals (see Rofougaran, paragraphs [39, 49-50]).
Regarding claim 3, U.S. Patent No. 10,771,228 B2 further claims wherein the first master component and each of the plurality of slave components are physically separate and each includes a separate power source (see claim 2).
Regarding claim 4, U.S. Patent No. 10,771,228 B2 further claims wherein the first master component, each of the plurality of slave components, and the external device are on separate integrated circuit (IC) chips included in an electronic device, and the electronic device utilizes the first master component, each of the plurality of slave components, and the external device for chip-to-chip communication (see claim 3).
Regarding claim 6, U.S. Patent No. 10,771,228 B2 further claims wherein the first master component is configured to operate with one of wireless power or rechargeable batteries (see claim 4).
Regarding claim 7, U.S. Patent No. 10,771,228 B2 further claims wherein the wireless power operates through one of radio frequency (RF) or magnetic induction (see claim 5).
Regarding claim 8, U.S. Patent No. 10,771,228 B2 further claims wherein the first master component further comprises a baseband module communicatively coupled to the radio modem, and the baseband module is configured to: receive bits of digital information and transmit digitally modulated signals to the radio modem, and receive third signals from the radio modem and extract the bits of digital information (see claim 8).
Regarding claim 9, U.S. Patent No. 10,771,228 B2 further claims wherein each of the plurality of slave components further comprises a digital signal processor for digital coding, digital modulation, data framing, data formatting and data packetization for a standard or for frequency conversion (see claim 9).
Regarding claim 10, U.S. Patent No. 10,771,228 B2 further claims wherein the first master component further comprises a first control unit and each of the plurality of slave components further comprises a second control unit communicatively coupled to the first control unit through a control channel for synchronization, gain control, programming, calibration and changing of parameters (see claim 11).
Regarding claim 11, U.S. Patent No. 10,771,228 B2 further claims wherein each of the plurality of slave components further comprises: a duplexer communicatively coupled to the first antenna, the duplexer is configured to receive the first signals from the first antenna and transmit the first signals to the first antenna; a power amplifier communicatively coupled to the duplexer, the power amplifier is configured to amplify the first signals transmitted to the duplexer; and a low noise amplifier configured to amplify the first signals received from the duplexer (see claim 13).
Regarding claim 12, U.S. Patent No. 10,771,228 B2 further claims wherein the first carrier frequency and the second carrier frequency are in a same frequency band (see claim 1).
Claim 2 is rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims of U.S. Patent No. 10,771,228 B2 in view of US 2008/0233891 A1 to Rofougaran et al. (hereafter refers as Rofougaran) as applied to claims above, and further in view of US 2008/0117961 A1 to Han et al. (hereafter refers as Han).
Regarding claim 2, U.S. Patent No. 10,771,228 B2 in view of Rofougaran further claims each slave component of the plurality of slave components further includes a frequency converter (see U.S. Patent No. 10,771,228 B2, claim 1) configured to:
convert the first signals that are received through the second antenna from the second carrier frequency of the first master component into the first carrier frequency of the external device (see U.S. Patent No. 10,771,228 B2, claim 1), and
convert the second signals that are received through the first antenna from the first carrier frequency of the external device into the second carrier frequency of the first master component (see U.S. Patent No. 10,771,228 B2, claim 1).
However, U.S. Patent No. 10,771,228 B2 in view of Rofougaran does not explicitly claim wherein the beamforming operation is executed to “maximize power” of the first signals received at the external device from a corresponding slave component.
Han teaches a beamforming operation (the central processing unit performs beamforming for the plurality of beamforming sub arrays 211, provides beamforming vector for each of the beamforming subarray 211, paragraphs [41-44] and Fig. 2) is executed to maximize power of the first signals received at the external device from a corresponding slave component to maximize a power of a signal received at the external device from the set of slave components (wherein the beamforming maximize a power/gain of a signal received at the MT from the plurality of antennas, paragraphs [8, 9, 32, 41]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to incorporate the teachings of beamforming operation is executed to maximize power of the first signals received at the external device from a corresponding slave component as taught by Han, with the claims of U.S. Patent No. 11,924,147 B2 in view of Rofougaran, for a purpose of maximizing power of the signals received at the external device (see Han, paragraphs [8, 9, 32, 41]).
Claims 13-17 and 19-20 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims of U.S. Patent No. 10,771,228 B2 in view of US 2008/0233891 A1 to Rofougaran et al. (hereafter refers as Rofougaran), and further in view of US 2008/0117961 A1 to Han et al. (hereafter refers as Han).
Regarding claim 13, U.S. Patent No. 10,771,228 B2 claims a communication device (see claim 14), comprising:
a first master component (see claim 14), comprising:
a processor (see claim 14);
a plurality of antennas communicatively coupled to the processor (see claim 14); and
a plurality of slave components, each slave component comprising (see claim 14):
a first antenna for wireless communication with an external device of a plurality of external devices by a beamforming operation on a first carrier frequency (see claim 14); and
a second antenna for wireless communication with each of the plurality of antennas of the first master component by the beamforming operation on a second carrier frequency (see claim 14); and
wherein each of the first antenna and the second antenna is bidirectional (each of the first and second antennas is configured to transmit and receive signals, see claim 14),
the processor is configured to:
select one or more master components from a set of master components to directly communicate with the first master component (see claim 24);
select a set of slave components from the plurality of slave components to communicate a plurality of data streams with one or more external devices of the plurality of external devices, wherein the set of slave components is selected from the plurality of slave components based on a set of criteria (see claim 14); and
However, U.S. Patent No. 10,771,228 B2 has not claimed each antenna “utilizes a time-duplexing operation to transmit and receive signals”.
Rofougaran teaches each antenna is bidirectional and utilizes a time-duplexing operation to transmit and receive signals (antenna is a bidirectional antenna and utilizes a time-duplexing operation to transmit and receive signals, abstract and paragraphs [39, 49-50]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to incorporate the teachings of each antenna is bidirectional and utilizes a time-duplexing operation to transmit and receive signals as taught by Rofougaran, with the claims of U.S. Patent No. 12,212,532 B2 for a purpose of increase efficiency of communication by enabling the antennas to both transmit and receive signals (see Rofougaran, paragraphs [39, 49-50]).
However, U.S. Patent No. 10,771,228 B2 in view of Rofougaran does not explicitly claim “execute a beamforming operation for the set of slave components to maximize power of a signal received at the one or more external devices from the set of slave components”.
Han teaches executing a beamforming operation for the set of slave components (the central processing unit performs beamforming for the plurality of beamforming sub arrays 211, provides beamforming vector for each of the beamforming subarray 211, paragraphs [41-44] and Fig. 2) to maximize power of a signal received at the one or more external devices from the set of slave components (wherein the beamforming maximize a power/gain of a signal received at the MT from the plurality of antennas, paragraphs [8, 9, 32, 41]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to incorporate the teachings of executing a beamforming operation for the set of slave components to maximize power of a signal received at the one or more external devices from the set of slave components as taught by Han, with the claims of U.S. Patent No. 10,771,228 B2 in view of Rofougaran, for a purpose of maximizing power of the signals received at the external device (see Han, paragraphs [8, 9, 32, 41]).
Regarding claim 14, U.S. Patent No. 10,771,228 B2 further claims wherein the set of criteria comprises one of: an optimal bit error rate of signals exchanged between the first master component and one or more slave components of the plurality of slave components, a signal to noise ratio of the signals exchanged between the first master component and the one or more slave components of the plurality of slave components, power consumption of the first master component, power consumption of the one or more slave components, an optimal bit error rate of signals exchanged between the one or more slave components and the one or more external devices, a signal to noise ratio of the signals exchanged between the one or more slave components and the one or more external devices, or an Electronic Vector Magnitude (EVM) (see claim 16).
Regarding claim 15, U.S. Patent No. 10,771,228 B2 further claims wherein the set of criteria comprises determination of communication between a first slave component and the first master component with a performance that is below a threshold, and selection of the set of slave components comprises a second slave component programmed as an intermediary to: receive signals from the first master component and transmit the signals received from the first master component to the first slave component, and receive signals from the first slave component and transmit the signals received from the first slave component to the first master component (see claim 17).
Regarding claim 16, U.S. Patent No. 10,771,228 B2 further claims wherein the selection of the set of slave components further comprises a first slave component programmed to: receive signals from a second slave component and transmit the signals received from the second slave component to an external device of the one or more external devices, and receive signals from the external device and transmit the signals received from the external device to the second slave component (see claim 18).
Regarding claim 17, U.S. Patent No. 10,771,228 B2 further claims wherein the first master component is configured to: communicate with a first slave component from the plurality of slave components based on a first wireless communication standard; and communicate with a second slave component from the plurality of slave components based on a second wireless communication standard (see claim 19).
Regarding claim 19, U.S. Patent No. 10,771,228 B2 further claims wherein the first master component further comprises a beamforming module for communication with the second antenna of each slave component in the set of slave components using a unique combination of an RF delay, a signal phase, and a signal amplitude used by each slave component of the plurality of slave components (see claim 21).
Regarding claim 20, U.S. Patent No. 10,771,228 B2 further claims wherein each of the plurality of slave components further comprises: a duplexer communicatively coupled to the first antenna, the duplexer is configured to receive first signals from the first antenna and transmit the first signals to the first antenna; a power amplifier communicatively coupled to the duplexer, the power amplifier is configured to amplify the first signals transmitted to the duplexer; and a low noise amplifier configured to amplify the first signals received from the duplexer (see claims 1, 13 and 14).
Claims 13-14, 16-17 and 19 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims of U.S. Patent No. 9,979,532 B2 in view of US 2008/0233891 A1 to Rofougaran et al. (hereafter refers as Rofougaran), and further in view of US 2008/0159243 A1 to Rofougaran (hereafter refers as Rofougaran’243).
Regarding claim 13, U.S. Patent No. 9,979,532 B2 claims a communication device (see claim 1), comprising:
a first master component (see claim 1), comprising:
a processor (see claim 1);
and
a plurality of slave components, each slave component comprising (see claim 1):
a first antenna for wireless communication with an external device of a plurality of external devices by a beamforming operation on a first carrier frequency (see claim 1); and
a second antenna for wireless communication with each of the plurality of antennas of the first master component by the beamforming operation on a second carrier frequency (see claim 1); and
wherein each of the first antenna and the second antenna is bidirectional (each of the first and second antennas is configured to transmit and receive signals, see claim 1),
the processor is configured to:
select one or more master components from a set of master components to directly communicate with the first master component (see claim 1);
select a set of slave components from the plurality of slave components to communicate a plurality of data streams with one or more external devices of the plurality of external devices, wherein the set of slave components is selected from the plurality of slave components based on a set of criteria (see claim 1); and
execute a beamforming operation for the set of slave components to maximize power of a signal received at the one or more external devices from the set of slave components (see claim 1).
However, U.S. Patent No. 9,979,532 B2 has not claimed each antenna “utilizes a time-duplexing operation to transmit and receive signals”.
Rofougaran teaches each antenna is bidirectional and utilizes a time-duplexing operation to transmit and receive signals (antenna is a bidirectional antenna and utilizes a time-duplexing operation to transmit and receive signals, abstract and paragraphs [39, 49-50]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to incorporate the teachings of each antenna is bidirectional and utilizes a time-duplexing operation to transmit and receive signals as taught by Rofougaran, with the claims of U.S. Patent No. 9,979,532 B2 for a purpose of increase efficiency of communication by enabling the antennas to both transmit and receive signals (see Rofougaran, paragraphs [39, 49-50]).
However, U.S. Patent No. 9,979,532 B2 in view of Rofougaran does not explicitly claim “a plurality of antennas communicatively coupled to the processor”.
Rofougaran’243 teaches a communication device, comprising:
a first master component (FIGs. 2, 14-15, 20, 25, a first radio device 60/master; see paragraphs [43-47]) comprising:
a processor (processing device, paragraphs [133, 141]); and
a plurality of antennas (a plurality of antennas, paragraphs [38, 43, 45, 47, 48, 53, 59, 60, 126] and Fig. 2, 19, 25) communicatively coupled to processor (coupled with the processing device, paragraphs [42, 48, 133, 136, 141] and Fig. 2, 25); and
a plurality of slave components (FIGs. 2, 14-15, 20 25, second radio devices 60/slaves; see paragraphs [43-47]), each slave component comprising:
a first antenna for wireless communication with an external device (FIGs. 2, 14-17, 25, antennas 83-85) on a first carrier frequency (using frequency f12; see paragraphs [43-47]), wherein the first antenna is configured to receive first signals from the external device (for receiving signals from the external device, see paragraphs [43-47]);
a second antenna for wireless communication with the antenna of the first master component (FIGs. 2, 14-17, 25, antenna 81 for communicating to first radio device 60/master; see paragraphs [43-47]) on a second carrier frequency (using a carrier frequency higher than f12; see paragraphs [43-47, 95-97]), wherein the second antenna is configured to receive second signals from the first master component (for receiving signals from the master, paragraphs [43-47, 95-97]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to incorporate the teachings of a plurality of antennas communicatively coupled to the processor as taught by Rofougaran’243, with the claims of U.S. Patent No. 9,979,532 B2 in view of Rofougaran, for a purpose of increase diversity for the teachings by employing a plurality of antennas for communication (see Rofougaran’243, paragraphs [38, 43, 45, 47, 48, 53, 59, 60, 126] and Fig. 2, 19, 25).
Regarding claim 14, U.S. Patent No. 9,979,532 B2 further claims wherein the set of criteria comprises one of: an optimal bit error rate of signals exchanged between the first master component and one or more slave components of the plurality of slave components, a signal to noise ratio of the signals exchanged between the first master component and the one or more slave components of the plurality of slave components, power consumption of the first master component, power consumption of the one or more slave components, an optimal bit error rate of signals exchanged between the one or more slave components and the one or more external devices, a signal to noise ratio of the signals exchanged between the one or more slave components and the one or more external devices, or an Electronic Vector Magnitude (EVM) (see claim 3).
Regarding claim 16, U.S. Patent No. 9,979,532 B2 further claims wherein the selection of the set of slave components further comprises a first slave component programmed to: receive signals from a second slave component and transmit the signals received from the second slave component to an external device of the one or more external devices, and receive signals from the external device and transmit the signals received from the external device to the second slave component (see claims 15, 18).
Regarding claim 17, U.S. Patent No. 9,979,532 B2 further claims wherein the first master component is configured to: communicate with a first slave component from the plurality of slave components based on a first wireless communication standard; and communicate with a second slave component from the plurality of slave components based on a second wireless communication standard (see claim 8).
Regarding claim 19, U.S. Patent No. 9,979,532 B2 further claims wherein the first master component further comprises a beamforming module for communication with the second antenna of each slave component in the set of slave components using a unique combination of an RF delay, a signal phase, and a signal amplitude used by each slave component of the plurality of slave components (see claim 7).
Claims 13-14, 16-17 and 19 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims of U.S. Patent No. 9,264,125 B2 in view of US 2008/0233891 A1 to Rofougaran et al. (hereafter refers as Rofougaran), and further in view of US 2008/0159243 A1 to Rofougaran (hereafter refers as Rofougaran’243).
Regarding claim 13, U.S. Patent No. 9,979,532 B2 claims a communication device (see claim 1), comprising:
a first master component (see claim 1), comprising:
a processor (see claim 1);
and
a plurality of slave components, each slave component comprising (see claim 1):
a first antenna for wireless communication with an external device of a plurality of external devices by a beamforming operation on a first carrier frequency (see claim 1); and
a second antenna for wireless communication with each of the plurality of antennas of the first master component by the beamforming operation on a second carrier frequency (see claim 1); and
wherein each of the first antenna and the second antenna is bidirectional (each of the first and second antennas is configured to transmit and receive signals, see claim 1),
the processor is configured to:
select one or more master components from a set of master components to directly communicate with the first master component (see claim 1);
select a set of slave components from the plurality of slave components to communicate a plurality of data streams with one or more external devices of the plurality of external devices, wherein the set of slave components is selected from the plurality of slave components based on a set of criteria (see claim 1); and
execute a beamforming operation for the set of slave components to maximize power of a signal received at the one or more external devices from the set of slave components (see claim 1).
However, U.S. Patent No. 9,264,125 B2 has not claimed each antenna “utilizes a time-duplexing operation to transmit and receive signals”.
Rofougaran teaches each antenna is bidirectional and utilizes a time-duplexing operation to transmit and receive signals (antenna is a bidirectional antenna and utilizes a time-duplexing operation to transmit and receive signals, abstract and paragraphs [39, 49-50]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to incorporate the teachings of each antenna is bidirectional and utilizes a time-duplexing operation to transmit and receive signals as taught by Rofougaran, with the claims of U.S. Patent No. 9,264,125 B2 for a purpose of increase efficiency of communication by enabling the antennas to both transmit and receive signals (see Rofougaran, paragraphs [39, 49-50]).
However, U.S. Patent No. 9,264,125 B2 in view of Rofougaran does not explicitly claim “a plurality of antennas communicatively coupled to the processor”.
Rofougaran’243 teaches a communication device, comprising:
a first master component (FIGs. 2, 14-15, 20, 25, a first radio device 60/master; see paragraphs [43-47]) comprising:
a processor (processing device, paragraphs [133, 141]); and
a plurality of antennas (a plurality of antennas, paragraphs [38, 43, 45, 47, 48, 53, 59, 60, 126] and Fig. 2, 19, 25) communicatively coupled to processor (coupled with the processing device, paragraphs [42, 48, 133, 136, 141] and Fig. 2, 25); and
a plurality of slave components (FIGs. 2, 14-15, 20 25, second radio devices 60/slaves; see paragraphs [43-47]), each slave component comprising:
a first antenna for wireless communication with an external device (FIGs. 2, 14-17, 25, antennas 83-85) on a first carrier frequency (using frequency f12; see paragraphs [43-47]), wherein the first antenna is configured to receive first signals from the external device (for receiving signals from the external device, see paragraphs [43-47]);
a second antenna for wireless communication with the antenna of the first master component (FIGs. 2, 14-17, 25, antenna 81 for communicating to first radio device 60/master; see paragraphs [43-47]) on a second carrier frequency (using a carrier frequency higher than f12; see paragraphs [43-47, 95-97]), wherein the second antenna is configured to receive second signals from the first master component (for receiving signals from the master, paragraphs [43-47, 95-97]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to incorporate the teachings of a plurality of antennas communicatively coupled to the processor as taught by Rofougaran’243, with the claims of U.S. Patent No. 9,264,125 B2 in view of Rofougaran, for a purpose of increase diversity for the teachings by employing a plurality of antennas for communication (see Rofougaran’243, paragraphs [38, 43, 45, 47, 48, 53, 59, 60, 126] and Fig. 2, 19, 25).
Regarding claim 16, U.S. Patent No. 9,979,532 B2 further claims wherein the selection of the set of slave components further comprises a first slave component programmed to: receive signals from a second slave component and transmit the signals received from the second slave component to an external device of the one or more external devices, and receive signals from the external device and transmit the signals received from the external device to the second slave component (see claims 11, 14).
Regarding claim 17, U.S. Patent No. 9,979,532 B2 further claims wherein the first master component is configured to: communicate with a first slave component from the plurality of slave components based on a first wireless communication standard; and communicate with a second slave component from the plurality of slave components based on a second wireless communication standard (see claim 7, 14).
Regarding claim 20, U.S. Patent No. 9,979,532 B2 further claims wherein each of the plurality of slave components further comprises: a duplexer communicatively coupled to the first antenna, the duplexer is configured to receive first signals from the first antenna and transmit the first signals to the first antenna; a power amplifier communicatively coupled to the duplexer, the power amplifier is configured to amplify the first signals transmitted to the duplexer; and a low noise amplifier configured to amplify the first signals received from the duplexer (see claim 8).
Claims 13-17 and 19-20 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims of U.S. Patent No. 8,660,057 B2 in view of US 2008/0233891 A1 to Rofougaran et al. (hereafter refers as Rofougaran), and further in view of US 2008/0159243 A1 to Rofougaran (hereafter refers as Rofougaran’243).
Regarding claim 13, U.S. Patent No. 8,660,057 B2 claims a communication device (see claim 15), comprising:
a first master component (see claim 15), comprising:
a processor (see claim 15);
and
a plurality of slave components, each slave component comprising (see claim 15):
a first antenna for wireless communication with an external device of a plurality of external devices by a beamforming operation on a first carrier frequency (see claim 15); and
a second antenna for wireless communication with each of the plurality of antennas of the first master component by the beamforming operation on a second carrier frequency (see claim 15); and
wherein each of the first antenna and the second antenna is bidirectional (each of the first and second antennas is configured to transmit and receive signals, see claim 15),
the processor is configured to:
select one or more master components from a set of master components to directly communicate with the first master component (see claims 15 and 25);
select a set of slave components from the plurality of slave components to communicate a plurality of data streams with one or more external devices of the plurality of external devices, wherein the set of slave components is selected from the plurality of slave components based on a set of criteria (see claim 15); and
execute a beamforming operation for the set of slave components to maximize power of a signal received at the one or more external devices from the set of slave components (see claim 15).
However, U.S. Patent No. 8,660,057 B2 has not claimed each antenna “utilizes a time-duplexing operation to transmit and receive signals”.
Rofougaran teaches each antenna is bidirectional and utilizes a time-duplexing operation to transmit and receive signals (antenna is a bidirectional antenna and utilizes a time-duplexing operation to transmit and receive signals, abstract and paragraphs [39, 49-50]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to incorporate the teachings of each antenna is bidirectional and utilizes a time-duplexing operation to transmit and receive signals as taught by Rofougaran, with the claims of U.S. Patent No. 8,660,057 B2 for a purpose of increase efficiency of communication by enabling the antennas to both transmit and receive signals (see Rofougaran, paragraphs [39, 49-50]).
However, U.S. Patent No. 8,660,057 B2 in view of Rofougaran does not explicitly claim “a plurality of antennas communicatively coupled to the processor”.
Rofougaran’243 teaches a communication device, comprising:
a first master component (FIGs. 2, 14-15, 20, 25, a first radio device 60/master; see paragraphs [43-47]) comprising:
a processor (processing device, paragraphs [133, 141]); and
a plurality of antennas (a plurality of antennas, paragraphs [38, 43, 45, 47, 48, 53, 59, 60, 126] and Fig. 2, 19, 25) communicatively coupled to processor (coupled with the processing device, paragraphs [42, 48, 133, 136, 141] and Fig. 2, 25); and
a plurality of slave components (FIGs. 2, 14-15, 20 25, second radio devices 60/slaves; see paragraphs [43-47]), each slave component comprising:
a first antenna for wireless communication with an external device (FIGs. 2, 14-17, 25, antennas 83-85) on a first carrier frequency (using frequency f12; see paragraphs [43-47]), wherein the first antenna is configured to receive first signals from the external device (for receiving signals from the external device, see paragraphs [43-47]);
a second antenna for wireless communication with the antenna of the first master component (FIGs. 2, 14-17, 25, antenna 81 for communicating to first radio device 60/master; see paragraphs [43-47]) on a second carrier frequency (using a carrier frequency higher than f12; see paragraphs [43-47, 95-97]), wherein the second antenna is configured to receive second signals from the first master component (for receiving signals from the master, paragraphs [43-47, 95-97]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to incorporate the teachings of a plurality of antennas communicatively coupled to the processor as taught by Rofougaran’243, with the claims of U.S. Patent No. 8,660,057 B2 in view of Rofougaran, for a purpose of increase diversity for the teachings by employing a plurality of antennas for communication (see Rofougaran’243, paragraphs [38, 43, 45, 47, 48, 53, 59, 60, 126] and Fig. 2, 19, 25).
Regarding claim 14, U.S. Patent No. 8,660,057 B2 further claims wherein the set of criteria comprises one of: an optimal bit error rate of signals exchanged between the first master component and one or more slave components of the plurality of slave components, a signal to noise ratio of the signals exchanged between the first master component and the one or more slave components of the plurality of slave components, power consumption of the first master component, power consumption of the one or more slave components, an optimal bit error rate of signals exchanged between the one or more slave components and the one or more external devices, a signal to noise ratio of the signals exchanged between the one or more slave components and the one or more external devices, or an Electronic Vector Magnitude (EVM) (see claim 17).
Regarding claim 15, U.S. Patent No. 8,660,057 B2 further claims wherein the set of criteria comprises determination of communication between a first slave component and the first master component with a performance that is below a threshold, and selection of the set of slave components comprises a second slave component programmed as an intermediary to: receive signals from the first master component and transmit the signals received from the first master component to the first slave component, and receive signals from the first slave component and transmit the signals received from the first slave component to the first master component (see claim 18).
Regarding claim 16, U.S. Patent No. 8,660,057 B2 further claims wherein the selection of the set of slave components further comprises a first slave component programmed to: receive signals from a second slave component and transmit the signals received from the second slave component to an external device of the one or more external devices, and receive signals from the external device and transmit the signals received from the external device to the second slave component (see claim 19).
Regarding claim 17, U.S. Patent No. 8,660,057 B2 further claims wherein the first master component is configured to: communicate with a first slave component from the plurality of slave components based on a first wireless communication standard; and communicate with a second slave component from the plurality of slave components based on a second wireless communication standard (see claim 20).
Regarding claim 19, U.S. Patent No. 12,212,532 B2 further claims wherein the first master component further comprises a beamforming module for communication with the second antenna of each slave component in the set of slave components using a unique combination of an RF delay, a signal phase, and a signal amplitude used by each slave component of the plurality of slave components (see claim 22).
Regarding claim 20, U.S. Patent No. 9,979,532 B2 further claims wherein each of the plurality of slave components further comprises: a duplexer communicatively coupled to the first antenna, the duplexer is configured to receive first signals from the first antenna and transmit the first signals to the first antenna; a power amplifier communicatively coupled to the duplexer, the power amplifier is configured to amplify the first signals transmitted to the duplexer; and a low noise amplifier configured to amplify the first signals received from the duplexer (see claims 28 and 29).
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-20 would be allowable if overcome the ground of nonstatutory double patenting set forth in this Office action.
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance:
Claims 1-20 are allowed over the prior arts, since the prior arts taken individually or in combination fail to particular disclose, fairly suggest, or render obvious the following underline limitation:
In claim 1, “...each of the plurality of the slave components is configured to: transmit first signals to the external device by the beamforming operation on the first carrier frequency via the first antenna and receive the first signals from the external device by the beamforming operation on a same first carrier frequency via the first antenna, and transmit second signals to the first master component by the beamforming operation on the second carrier frequency via the second antenna and receive the second signals from the first master component by the beamforming operation on the same first carrier frequency via the second antenna...." in combination with other limitations recited in the base claim.
In claim 13, “...the processor is configured to:
select one or more master components from the set of master components to directly communicate with the first master component; select a set of slave components from the plurality of slave components to communicate a plurality of data streams with one or more external devices of the plurality of external devices, wherein the set of slave components is selected from the plurality of slave components based on a set of criteria; and execute a beamforming operation for the set of slave components to maximize power of a signal received at the one or more external devices from the set of slave components..." in combination with other limitations recited in the base claim.
Noted that the first closest prior art US 2008/0159243 A1 to Rofougaran teaches a communication device, comprising:
a first master component (FIGs. 2, 14-15, 20, 25, a first radio device 60/master; see paragraphs [43-47]) that includes:
a radio modem configured to transmit and receive signal (FIGs. 2, 14-15, 20, 25, RF receivers/transmitters 118, 120, 122, 106, 108, 110, etc., to transmit and receive signal(s)); and
an antenna communicatively coupled to the radio modem (FIGs. 2, 14-15, 20, 25, antenna 81 coupled to the modem modules through T/R module; see paragraph [43]); and
a plurality of slave components (FIGs. 2, 14-15, 20 25, second radio devices 60/slaves; see paragraphs [43-47]), each slave component includes:
a first antenna for wireless communication with an external device (FIGs. 2, 14-17, 25, antennas 83-85) on a first carrier frequency (using frequency f12; see paragraphs [43-47]);
a second antenna for wireless communication with the antenna of the first master component (FIGs. 2, 14-17, 25, antenna 81 for communicating to first radio device 60/master; see paragraphs [43-47]) on a second carrier frequency (using a carrier frequency higher than f12; see paragraphs [43-47, 95-97]); and
wherein the communication device further comprises a set of master components other than the first master component (the device contains multiple additional master components, i.e. master of the board with transceiver E, see paragraphs [90-93, 135-138, 141]).
Thus, Rofougaran has taught the conventional technique of communicating between the master component and the slave component via antennas and via different frequencies, but however, has not taught “the beamforming operation on the first carrier frequency via the first antenna and receive the first signals from the external device by the beamforming operation on the same first carrier frequency”, “the beamforming operation on the second carrier frequency via the second antenna and receive the second signals from the first master component by the beamforming operation on the same first carrier frequency” and “select one or more master components from the set of master components to directly communicate with the first master component” by the processor of the first master component. Therefore, Rofougaran has failed to teach the underlined limitations above when such limitations are incorporated with other limitations of the base claims.
Noted that the second closest prior art US 2011/0261774 A1 to Lunttila et al. (hereafter refers as Lunttila) teaches transmitting first signals to a device by a beam-forming operation on the first carrier frequency via the antenna and receive the first signals from the device by the beam-forming operation on the same first carrier frequency via the antenna (transmitting the signals to another device by using a beam-forming operation on a sub-carrier via antennas and receiving the signal from another device by using a beam-forming operation the same sub-carrier via antennas, paragraphs [44-47]).
However, Lunttila has not taught transmitting signals to external device by the beam-forming, transmitting signals to the master component by beam-forming operation and “select one or more master components from the set of master components to directly communicate with the first master component” by the processor of the first master component. Therefore, Lunttila has failed to teach the underlined limitations above when such limitations are incorporated with other limitations of the base claims.
Noted that the third closest prior art US 2008/0117961 A1 to Han et al. (hereafter refers as Han) teaches a processor of a first master component is configured to: select a set of slave components from the plurality of slave components (a central processing unit selects a subset of beamforming sub arrays 211, paragraphs [42, 56, 80] and abstract) to communicate a plurality of data streams with an external device (to communicate data via a plurality of data streams, with an MT 220, Fig.2, paragraphs [6, 42, 46, 56, 80] and abstract), wherein the set of slave components is selected from the plurality of slave components based on a set of criteria (wherein the selection of the beamforming sub arrays is based on power of beamforming sub array(s) and/or optimal symbol error rate, SER, paragraphs [3, 56, 73, 81]), to communicate a plurality of data streams with an external device (to communicate data via a plurality of data streams, with an MT 220, Fig.2, paragraphs [6, 42, 46, 56, 80] and abstract) and perform beamforming for the set of slave components (the central processing unit performs beamforming for the plurality of beamforming sub arrays 211, provides beamforming vector for each of the beamforming subarray 211, paragraphs [41-44] and Fig. 2) to maximize a power of a signal received at the external device from the set of slave components (wherein the beamforming maximize a power/gain of a signal received at the MT from the plurality of antennas, paragraphs [8, 9, 32, 41]).
However, Han has not taught transmitting signals to external device by the beam-forming, transmitting signals to the master component by beam-forming operation, and “select one or more master components from the set of master components to directly communicate with the first master component” by the processor of the first master component. Therefore, Han has failed to teach the underlined limitations above when such limitations are incorporated with other limitations of the base claims.
Noted that the fourth closest prior art US 2004/0147287 A1 to Nelson, JR et al. (hereafter refers as Nelson) teaches antenna is bidirectional and utilizes a time-duplexing operation to transmit and receive signals (an antenna is configured to transmit and receive signals by using a time duplexing operation, paragraphs [40-43]).
However, Nelson has not taught the beam-forming operations for transmitting and receiving signals. Therefore, Earnshaw has failed to teach the underlined limitations above when such limitations are incorporated with other limitations of the base claims.
In view of the foregoing, Rofougaran, Lunttila, Han and Nelson, when taken individually or in combination fail to particular disclose, fairly suggest, or render obvious the underlined limitations when such limitations are incorporated with other limitations of the base claims as set forth above. Therefore, the base claims 1 and 13 are allowed over the prior arts. The dependent claims 2-12 and 14-20 which depended upon claim 1 and 13, respectively, are also allowable over the prior arts for the reason of their dependency upon the allowable claims 1 and 13, respectively.
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee. Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
US 2011/0261770 A1 to Yu et al. teaches the UE receives the signals by beamforming operation (paragraph [48]).
US 2009/0060081 A1 to Zhang et al. teaches communicating over multiple sub-carriers within an OFDM band (paragraphs [6, 14, 75, 258]).
US 2010/0278076 A1 discloses the master component selects another master component as a backup master (see paragraph [45]), wherein the device/master component is directly communicated with other device/master component (see paragraph [3]).
US 2010/0162383 A1 discloses selecting a new backup master, and a backup master is directly communicated with the new backup master (i.e. for synchronizing, paragraphs [30, 84-86]).
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to DUNG B. HUYNH whose telephone number is (571)270-7642. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM.
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/DUNG B HUYNH/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2469 June 27, 2026
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