DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 12/23/2024 was filed in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
Claim 1, 8, and 16-19 and rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yoshioka et al. (US 20200313632 A1 and Yoshioka hereinafter).
Regarding Claim 1, Yoshioka suggests
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A radio frequency circuit (Figure 5, element 1A) comprising:
a first output terminal (110);
a second output terminal (120);
a first low-noise amplifier (23);
a second low-noise amplifier (21, 22);
a first filter ([0036], Filter 10 has a first passband between input terminal 10a and output terminal 10b, and has a second passband between input terminal 10a and output terminal 10c. The first passband corresponds to, for example, Band A (communication band A), and the second passband corresponds to, for example, Band B (communication band B). In other words, the first radio frequency signal mainly contains frequency components in Band A (the first passband), and the second radio frequency signal mainly contains frequency components in Band B (the second passband).) connected between an output end of the first low- noise amplifier (10b) and the first output terminal (110), the first filter having a passband that includes at least a portion of a first band ([0071], As the second example of application of communication bands in front-end circuit 1A and communication device 5A, for example, Band 20 (receiving band: 791 to 821 MHz) of 4G LTE is applied to Band B (second passband), and n 28 (receiving band: 758 to 803 MHz) of 5G NR is applied to Band A (first passband).); and
a second filter ([0036], Filter 10 has a first passband between input terminal 10a and output terminal 10b, and has a second passband between input terminal 10a and output terminal 10c. The first passband corresponds to, for example, Band A (communication band A), and the second passband corresponds to, for example, Band B (communication band B). In other words, the first radio frequency signal mainly contains frequency components in Band A (the first passband), and the second radio frequency signal mainly contains frequency components in Band B (the second passband).) connected between the output end of the first low-noise amplifier (10c) and the second output terminal (120), the second filter having a passband that includes at least a portion of a second band ([0071], As the second example of application of communication bands in front-end circuit 1A and communication device 5A, for example, Band 20 (receiving band: 791 to 821 MHz) of 4G LTE is applied to Band B (second passband), and n 28 (receiving band: 758 to 803 MHz) of 5G NR is applied to Band A (first passband).),
wherein the second low-noise amplifier is connected between the second filter and the second output terminal (element 22 is connected between filter 10 and the output element 110), and
the first band and the second band are a combination of bands usable in dual connectivity ([0052-0053], For the above reason, NSA-NR relies on simultaneously connecting a 4G LTE transfer circuit and a 5G NR transfer circuit to a communication line, using 4G LTE as a master and 5G NR as a slave (EN-DC: LTE-NR Dual Connectivity)… In order to achieve this, in front-end circuit 1A and communication device 5A according to the present variation, a 4G LTE transfer circuit and a 5G NR transfer circuit are connected to one antenna 2. The 4G LTE transfer circuit includes, for example, output terminal 10c, low-noise amplifier 22, and reception output terminal 120. The 5G NR transfer circuit includes, for example, output terminal 10b, low-noise amplifier 21, and reception output terminal 110. As the first example of application of communication bands in front-end circuit 1A and communication device 5A, for example, Band 5 (receiving band: 869 to 894 MHz) of 4G LTE is applied to Band B (the second passband), and n 5 (receiving band: 869 to 894 MHz) of 5G NR is applied to Band A (the first passband).).
Examiner Note: Regarding the first and second filter in claim 1:
It would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to substitute both the low-pass filter and the second high-pass filter to use a single diplexer filter as suggested in Yoshioka, see Figure 5 (element 10). Diplexers can manage different operating frequencies due to internal filters that typically include a low-pass filter for lower frequencies and a high-pass (or band-pass) filter for higher frequencies, this is suggested in [0045-0046], [0104], [0133] and [0135] of the disclosure’s specification. It would be a predictable substitution to use the diplexer of Yoshioka instead of two separate filters for low and high frequencies, as the substitution would be no more than a routine electrical circuit design choice that serves the same purpose. See MPEP 2143(I)(B).
Regarding Claim 8, Yoshioka suggests all the limitations of claim 1 as discussed above. Further Yoshioka suggests
a third filter connected to an input end of the first low-noise amplifier (Figure 5, element 11; [0049] Low-noise amplifier 23 has an output end connected to input terminal 10a of filter 10, and an input end connected to an output end of filter 11. Filter 11 has an input end connected to antenna terminal 100.), the third filter having a passband that includes at least a portion of the first band and at least a portion of the second band, ([0047], Filter 11 is an example of a second filter, and has a third passband. The third passband encompasses the first passband and the second passband of filter 10. )
wherein the first filter is a low-pass filter (Figure 5, element 10; [0076], n 28 (receiving band: 758 to 803 MHz) of 4G LTE is applied to Band A (first passband)), and
the second filter is a high-pass filter (Figure 5, element 10; [0076], Band 18 (receiving band: 860 to 875 MHz) of 4G LTE is applied to Band B (second passband)).
It would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to substitute both the first low-pass filter and the second high-pass filter to use a diplexer filter as suggested in Yoshioka, see Figure 5 (element 10). Diplexers can manage different operating frequencies due to internal filters that typically include a low-pass filter for lower frequencies and a high-pass (or band-pass) filter for higher frequencies. It would be a predictable substitution to use the diplexer of Yoshioka instead of two separate filters for low and high frequencies as the substitution would be no more than a routine electrical circuit design choice that serves the same purpose. See MPEP 2143(I)(B).
Regarding Claim 16, Yoshioka suggests all the limitations of claim 1 as discussed above. Further Yoshioka suggests wherein the first band is Band 42 for Long Term Evolution (LTE), and the second band is n77 or n78 for 5th Generation New Radio (5G NR).
It would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to try alternative bands for LTE and 5G NR. There is a finite number of frequency bands defined for both LTE (Long Term Evolution) and 5G NR (New Radio), these bands are strictly standardized and regulated by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) to ensure global compatibility. In [0087] of the disclosure’s specification it is suggested that the frequency bands can be several alternatives. Therefore claim 16 is rejected for at least the same reasons as claim 18. See MPEP(I)(E).
Regarding Claim 17, Yoshioka suggests all the limitations of claim 1 as discussed above. Further Yoshioka suggests wherein the first band is Band 48 for Long Term Evolution (LTE), and the second band is n78 for 5th Generation New Radio (5G NR).
It would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to try alternative bands for LTE and 5G NR. There is a finite number of frequency bands defined for both LTE (Long Term Evolution) and 5G NR (New Radio), these bands are strictly standardized and regulated by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) to ensure global compatibility. In [0087] of the disclosure’s specification it is suggested that the frequency bands can be several alternatives. Therefore claim 17 is rejected for at least the same reasons as claim 18. See MPEP(I)(E).
Regarding Claim 18, Yoshioka suggests all the limitations of claim 1 as discussed above. Further Yoshioka suggests wherein the first band is Band 20 for Long Term Evolution (LTE), and the second band is n28 for 5th Generation New Radio (5G NR) (See Figure 5 above; [0071], Band 20 (receiving band: 791 to 821 MHz) of 4G LTE is applied to Band B (second passband), and n28 (receiving band: 758 to 803 MHz) of 5G NR is applied to Band A (first passband).),).
Regarding Claim 19, Yoshioka suggests all the limitations of claim 1 as discussed above. Further Yoshioka suggests wherein the first band is n78 for 5th Generation New Radio (5G NR), and the second band is n79 for 5G NR.
It would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to try alternative bands for LTE and 5G NR. There is a finite number of frequency bands defined for both LTE (Long Term Evolution) and 5G NR (New Radio), these bands are strictly standardized and regulated by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) to ensure global compatibility. In [0087] of the disclosure’s specification it is suggested that the frequency bands can be several alternatives. Therefore claim19 is rejected for at least the same reasons as claim 18. See MPEP(I)(E).
Claims 2-7 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yoshioka et al. (US 20200313632 A1 and Yoshioka hereinafter) in view of Omori et al. (Us 20050079825 A1 and Omori hereinafter).
Regarding Claim 2, Yoshioka suggests all the limitations of claim 1 as discussed above. Yoshioka doesn’t explicitly teach
a first bypass circuit configured to connect the second filter to the second output terminal not via the second low-noise amplifier, wherein the first bypass circuit includes a switch and a variable resistor that are connected in series between the second filter and the second output terminal.
However in a similar field of endeavor Omori suggests
a first bypass circuit configured to connect the second filter to the second output terminal not via the second low-noise amplifier ([0141], FIG. 7 is modified from that of FIG. 5 as follows. A main part of the high frequency circuit section includes a low-noise amplifier 4 for transmission, and a variable attenuator 32b (provided instead of a bypass route 32 shown in FIG. 5), and route switches 33 and 34 for switching over routes of a reception signal. Note that a second switch 42 is provided between the low-noise amplifier 4, and a power supply 40 for supplying power to the low-noise amplifier 4. The second switch 42 turns ON and OFF in accordance with a second control signal generated by a control section 18b.), wherein the first bypass circuit includes a switch and a variable resistor that are connected in series between the second filter and the second output terminal (Figure 7; [0141], The high frequency circuit section in FIG. 7 is modified from that of FIG. 5 as follows. A main part of the high frequency circuit section includes a low-noise amplifier 4 for transmission, and a variable attenuator 32b (i.e. the recited variable resistor) (provided instead of a bypass route 32 shown in FIG. 5), and route switches 33 and 34 for switching over routes of a reception signal. Note that a second switch 42 is provided between the low-noise amplifier 4, and a power supply 40 for supplying power to the low-noise amplifier 4. The second switch 42 turns ON and OFF in accordance with a second control signal generated by a control section 18b.).
Therefore, it would have been obvious for one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Yoshioka with the teachings suggested by Omori. The motivation would be for amplifying a signal to reduce unnecessary power consumption, see Omori at Abstract.
Regarding Claim 3, Yoshioka in view of Omori, Yoshioka-Omori hereinafter suggests all the limitations of claim 2 as discussed above. Further Omori suggests
wherein the switch is closed under a condition that an input level of a received signal in the second band is higher than or equal to a first threshold level ([0144], If an RSSI value (i.e. received signal) is higher than a predetermined (i.e. threshold) level 1, the controller 18 judges that the host machine is in a close distance (S62). In such case the variable attenuator 32b is selected by the route switches 33 and 34, which are controlled by whether or not an LNA_CTRL signal is supplied from the baseband processing circuit 8. Specifically, the controller 18 causes a generating section 18a to generate a first control signal that is for controlling the switches 33 and 34, in order to switch over from a signal route of the amplifier 4 to a signal route of a variable attenuator 32b (S63)), and is opened under a condition that the input level is lower than the first threshold level ([0150], On the other hand, if, at S61, the RSSI value (i.e. received signal) is lower than the predetermined (i.e. threshold) level 1, the controller 18 judges that the host machine is in a far distance (S70). In such case, to amplify the signal by the low-noise amplifier 4 before sending the signal to a LPF 5, which is a next-stage receiver circuit, the low-noise amplifier 4 is selected by the route switches 33 and 34, according to whether or not the LNA_CTRL signal is supplied from the baseband processing circuit 8. Specifically, the controller 18 causes a generating section 18a to generate a first control signal that is for controlling the switches 33 and 34 (S71), in order to switch over from a signal route of the variable attenuator 32b to a signal route of the low-noise amplifier 4.), and
operation of the second low-noise amplifier is halted under the condition that the input level is higher than or equal to the first threshold level ([0145], Here, the second switch 42 is turned OFF in accordance with the switching-over of the route switches 33 and 34, so as to stop supply of power to the low-noise amplifier 4 (i.e. operation of LNA is halted). In order to stop the supply of the supply of the power to the low-noise amplifier 4, the controller 18 causes the controller 18b to generate the second control signal that turns OFF the second switch 42 (S64)), and is not halted under a condition that the input level is lower than a second threshold level ([0151], Here, the second switch is switched ON in accordance with the switching-over of the route switches 33 and 34, so that the low-noise amplifier 4 is supplied with power and is activated for the amplification of the signal (i.e. operation of LNA is not halted). In order to allow the supply of the power to the low-pass amplifier 4, the controller 18 causes the control section 18b to generate the second control signal that turns ON the second switch 42 (S72).).
Therefore, it would have been obvious for one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Yoshioka with the teachings suggested by Omori. The motivation would be for amplifying a signal to reduce unnecessary power consumption, see Omori at Abstract.
Regarding Claim 4, Yoshioka-Omori suggests all the limitations of claim 3 as discussed above. Further Omori suggests wherein a resistance of the variable resistor increases with an increase in the input level, under the condition that the input level is higher than or equal to the first threshold level ([0147], For example, the controller 18 judges whether or not the RSSI value thus measured is lower than a predetermined level 2, which is higher than the predetermined level 1 (S65). If the RSSI value thus measured is equal to or higher than the predetermined value 2, the controller 18 further judges whether the RSSI value thus measured is lower than a predetermined value 3, which is higher than a predetermined value 2 (S66). Here, assuming that the predetermined value 3 is the highest among the multileveled threshold values, the controller 18 sets the attenuation amount of the variable attenuator 22b to an attenuation level 3 (maximum attenuation amount) by using a D/A converter, if the RSSI value is equal to or higher than the predetermined level 3 (S67).).
Regarding Claim 5, Yoshioka suggests all the limitations of claim 1 as discussed above. Further Omori suggests a second bypass circuit configured to connect the second filter to the second output terminal not via the second low-noise amplifier ([0114], The high frequency circuit section in FIG. 5 is modified from that of FIG. 1 as follows. A main part of the high frequency circuit includes a low-noise amplifier (LNA) 4 for reception, and a bypass route 32, route switches 33 and 34 (first switches) for switching over routes of a reception signal.), wherein the second bypass circuit includes a switch connected between the second filter and the second output terminal ([0115], an antenna 1; a low-noise amplifier 4, which serves as an amplifier to be connected with the antenna 1; a bypass route 32 for bypassing a signal route of the low-noise amplifier 4; and switches (first switches) 33 and 34 for alternatively switching over the signal route of the low-noise amplifier 4 and the bypass route 32.).
Therefore, it would have been obvious for one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Yoshioka with the teachings suggested by Omori. The motivation would be for amplifying a signal to reduce unnecessary power consumption, see Omori at Abstract.
Regarding Claim 6, Yoshioka-Omori suggests all the limitations of claim 5 as discussed above. Further Omori suggests wherein the switch is closed under a condition that an input level of a received signal in the second band is lower than a first threshold level and is higher than or equal to a second threshold level, and is opened under a condition that the input level is higher than or equal to the first threshold level or is lower than the second threshold level.
Regarding Claim 7, Yoshioka suggests all the limitations of claim 1 as discussed above. Yoshioka doesn’t explicitly teach
wherein operation of the second low-noise amplifier is halted under a condition that an input level of a received signal in the second band is higher than or equal to a second threshold level, and is not halted under a condition that the input level is lower than the second threshold level.
However in a similar field of endeavor Omori suggests
wherein operation of the second low-noise amplifier is halted under a condition that an input level of a received signal in the second band is higher than or equal to a second threshold level ([0145], Here, the second switch 42 is turned OFF in accordance with the switching-over of the route switches 33 and 34, so as to stop supply of power to the low-noise amplifier 4 (i.e. operation of LNA is halted). In order to stop the supply of the supply of the power to the low-noise amplifier 4, the controller 18 causes the controller 18b to generate the second control signal that turns OFF the second switch 42 (S64)) and ([0147], For example, the controller 18 judges whether or not the RSSI value thus measured is lower than a predetermined level 2, which is higher than the predetermined level 1 (S65). If the RSSI value thus measured is equal to or higher than the predetermined value 2, the controller 18 further judges whether the RSSI value thus measured is lower than a predetermined value 3, which is higher than a predetermined value 2 (S66). Here, assuming that the predetermined value 3 is the highest among the multileveled threshold values, the controller 18 sets the attenuation amount of the variable attenuator 22b to an attenuation level 3 (maximum attenuation amount) by using an D/A converter, if the RSSI value is equal to or higher than the predetermined level 3 (S67).), and is not halted under a condition that the input level is lower than the second threshold level ([0151], Here, the second switch is switched ON in accordance with the switching-over of the route switches 33 and 34, so that the low-noise amplifier 4 is supplied with power and is activated for the amplification of the signal (i.e. operation of LNA is not halted). In order to allow the supply of the power to the low-pass amplifier 4, the controller 18 causes the control section 18b to generate the second control signal that turns ON the second switch 42 (S72).).
Therefore, it would have been obvious for one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Yoshioka with the teachings suggested by Omori. The motivation would be for amplifying a signal to reduce unnecessary power consumption, see Omori at Abstract.
Claims 14-15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yoshioka et al. (US 20200313632 A1 and Yoshioka hereinafter) in view of Sakurai et al. (JP 2019176452 A and Sakurai hereinafter).
Regarding Claim 14, Yoshioka suggests all the limitations of claim 1 as discussed above.
Yoshioka doesn’t explicitly teach
an input terminal;
a third filter connected to an input end of the first low-noise amplifier, the third filter having a passband that includes at least a portion of the first band and at least a portion of the second band;
a power amplifier connected between the input terminal and the third filter; and
a switch circuit that includes a first terminal connected to the third filter, a second terminal connected to the input end of the first low-noise amplifier, and a third terminal connected to an output end of the power amplifier.
However in a similar field of endeavor Sakurai suggests
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an input terminal (Figure 1A, terminal TX);
a third filter connected to an input end of the first low-noise amplifier, the third filter having a passband that includes at least a portion of the first band and at least a portion of the second band (Figure 1A, element 40);
a power amplifier connected between the input terminal and the third filter (Figure 1A, element 10); and
a switch circuit (Figure 1A, element 30) that includes a first terminal connected to the third filter (Figure 1A, element 30c), a second terminal connected to the input end of the first low-noise amplifier (Figure 1A, element 30b), and a third terminal connected to an output end of the power amplifier (Figure 1A, element 30a).
Therefore, it would have been obvious for one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the method of Yoshioka with the method suggested by Sakurai. The motivation would be so high-frequency modules equipped with transmission and receiving circuits connect the antenna to one of these circuits via switching circuits to send and receive RF (Radio Frequency) signals, see Sakurai at [0002].
Regarding Claim 15, Yoshioka in view of Sakurai, Yoshioka-Sakurai hereinafter, suggests all the limitations of claim 14 as discussed above.
Further Sakurai suggests
wherein the switch circuit is configured to connect the first terminal to the second terminal under a condition that at least one of a signal in the first band or a signal in the second band is received ([0019], Based on the control signal S2 supplied from transmission control block 20a, SPDT30 switches the connection of the antenna-side terminal 30c between the transmitting signal path terminal 30a and the received signal path terminal 30b. That is, when terminal 30a is connected to terminal 30c, a transmission signal path is formed from terminal ANT to terminal TX, and when terminal 30b is connected to terminal 30c, a received signal path is formed from terminal ANT to terminal RX.), and
the switch circuit is configured to connect the first terminal to the third terminal under a condition that at least one of a signal in the first band or a signal in the second band is transmitted ([0019], Based on the control signal S2 supplied from transmission control block 20a, SPDT30 switches the connection of the antenna-side terminal 30c between the transmitting signal path terminal 30a and the received signal path terminal 30b. That is, when terminal 30a is connected to terminal 30c, a transmission signal path is formed from terminal ANT to terminal TX, and when terminal 30b is connected to terminal 30c, a received signal path is formed from terminal ANT to terminal RX.).
Pertinent Prior Art
The prior art made of record is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Mori (US 20200313710 A1 and Mori hereinafter) suggests the limitations in claim 1 as shown below:
Regarding Claim 1, Mori suggests
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A radio frequency circuit (Figure 9, element 1E) comprising:
a first output terminal(5GNR on top);
a second output terminal(4GLTE the second from top);
a first low-noise amplifier(item 16);
a second low-noise amplifier(item 14);
a first filter (item 41) connected between an output end of the first low- noise amplifier(item 16) and the first output terminal(5GNR on top), the first filter having a passband (item 41 is pass band) that includes at least a portion of a first band(first band for 5GNR); and
a second filter connected between the output end of the first low-noise amplifier(item 16) and the second output terminal(4GLTE the second from top); the second filter having a passband that includes at least a portion of a second band(second bad 4GLTE),
wherein the second low-noise amplifier is connected between the second filter and the second output terminal(item 14 LNA is connected between the second filter item 12 and second output 4GLTE second from top), and
the first band and the second band are a combination of bands usable in dual connectivity(P[0056], For the above reason, NSA-NR relies on simultaneously connecting a 4G LTE transfer circuit and a 5G NR transfer circuit to a communication line, using 4G LTE as a master and 5G NR as a slave (EN-DC: LTE-NR Dual Connectivity)… In order to achieve this, in front-end circuit 1A and communication device 5A according to the present variation, a 4G LTE transfer circuit and a 5G NR transfer circuit are connected to one antenna 2. The 4G LTE transfer circuit includes, for example, output terminal 10c, filter 12, and reception terminal 120. The 5G NR transfer circuit includes, for example, output terminal 10b, filter 11, and reception terminal 110. For example, Band 41 (transmission and receiving band: 2496 to 2690 MHz) of 4G LTE is applied to Band B (second passband), and n 41 (transmission and receiving band: 2496 to 2690 MHz) of 5G NR is applied to Band A (first passband).).
Hou et al. (US 20170163484 A1) “DYNAMIC MULTIPLEXER CONFIGURATION PROCESS” (June 8, 2017) is directed to multiplexer includes a filter bank capable of supporting a number of frequency bands and a bypass circuit that enables the multiplexer to support a variety of sets of frequencies. For instance, unlike traditional multiplexers, the reconfigurable multiplexer can support both frequency bands with relatively narrow spacing and frequency bands with relatively wide spacing. Further, the inclusion of the bypass circuit enables the reduction or elimination of dead zones between supported frequencies.
Zhang (CN 109257065 A) “A Method For Eliminating Coexistence Interference Method And Circuit Terminal” (January 1, 2019) is directed to eliminate coexisting interference using a first receiving link with a first filter and a low-noise amplifier LNA, using first filter on the first receiving link of the first receiving signal to filter processing, to filter the main wave signal of the first sending signal to obtain the second receiving signal, the second reception signal is input to the first receiving link of the low-noise amplifier LNA and the RFIC.
Hermel (CN 101816134 A) suggests the following limitations of claim 9: the first band includes a first sub-band assigned to a first mobile network operator and a second sub-band assigned to a second mobile network operator, the second band includes a third sub-band assigned to the first mobile network operator and a fourth sub-band assigned to the second mobile network operator. See [0004], In these and similar to the other mobile wireless telephone or cellular communication system, a designated frequency band is typically divided forming sub-band, and plurality of sub-bands is assigned to different network operators.).
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 9-13 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
The closest prior art of record fails to show a passband of the first filter includes the first sub-band, a passband of the second filter includes the third sub-band, and the radio frequency circuit further comprises: a fourth filter connected between the output end of the first low-noise amplifier and the first output terminal, the fourth filter having a passband that includes the second sub-band; a fifth filter connected between the output end of the first low-noise amplifier and the second output terminal, the fifth filter having a passband that includes the fourth sub-band; and a switch circuit that includes a first terminal connected to the output end of the first low-noise amplifier, a second terminal connected to the first filter and the second filter, and a third terminal connected to the fourth filter and the fifth filter; the switch circuit is configured to connect the first terminal to the second terminal under a condition that the radio frequency circuit is used in a communication network of the first mobile network operator, and the switch circuit is configured to connect the first terminal to the third terminal under a condition that the radio frequency circuit is used in a communication network of the second mobile network operator; a third filter connected to an input end of the first low-noise amplifier, and a switch circuit that includes a first terminal connected to the output end of the first low-noise amplifier, a second terminal connected to the first filter and the second filter, and a third terminal connected to the second output terminal not via the first filter or the second filter; a switch circuit that includes a first terminal connected to the output end of the first low-noise amplifier, a second terminal connected to the first filter and the second filter, and a third terminal connected to the third filter; wherein the switch circuit is configured to connect the first terminal to the second terminal in a region in which both of the first band and the second band are used, and the switch circuit is configured to connect the first terminal to the third terminal in a region in which only one of the first band or the second band is used, in combination with the other limitations. See Figure 7 and Specification [0049, 0150-0152, 0203-0204], for example as compared to the prior art.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Iyonda L. Lewis whose telephone number is (571)272-4440. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:00pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Alison Slater can be reached at (571) 270-0375. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/IYONDA L LEWIS/Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2647
Iyonda.Lewis@USPTO.gov
/Alison Slater/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2647
