DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments have been fully considered but they are not persuasive in view of the double patenting and 35 USC 112b rejections as follow.
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 2-21 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1 and 3-20 of U.S. Patent No. 11,811,152. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because claims 2-21 of the instant invention are merely broader and encompassed by the conflicting patent claims.
Instant Invention
USP 11,811,152
2. (Previously presented) An antenna device, comprising:
a first antenna, comprising:
a first insulating layer;
a first signal-feeding line, the first signal-feeding line disposed on a first surface of the first insulating layer; and
two first grounding lines, the two first grounding lines disposed on a second surface of the first insulating layer, wherein the first surface and the second surface of the first insulating layer are parallel with one another, and wherein each of the two first grounding lines are symmetrical with one another with respect to a first axis of the first insulating layer;
a second antenna disposed on a second insulating layer, the second insulating layer being aligned with the first axis of the first insulating layer; and
a circuit board.
3. (Previously presented) The antenna device according to Claim 2, wherein the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer are arranged orthogonal to one another, the first antenna and the second antenna are disposed on a first surface of the circuit board.
4. (Previously presented) The antenna device according to Claim 3, wherein the second antenna comprises:
a second signal-feeding line, the second signal-feeding line disposed on a first surface of the second insulating layer; and
two second grounding lines, the two second grounding lines disposed on a second surface of the second insulating layer, wherein the first surface and the second surface of the second insulating layer are parallel with one another.
5. (Previously presented) The antenna device according to Claim 4, wherein the first insulating layer, the second insulating layer and the circuit board are each arranged orthogonal to one another.
6. (Previously presented) The antenna device according to Claim 2, wherein the first signal-feeding line comprises a first end and a second end, each of the two first grounding lines comprises a first end and a second end, the first end of the first signal-feeding line is for wireless signal reception matching with the first end of each of the two first grounding lines in a first frequency band, and the second end of the first signal-feeding line is for wireless signal reception matching with the second end of each of the two first grounding lines in a second frequency band.
7. (Previously presented) The antenna device according to Claim 6, wherein the first insulating layer has a side surface that is disposed furthest away from the circuit board as compared with other surfaces of the first insulating layer, the side surface connects the first surface and the second surface of the first insulating layer, the first end of the first signal-feeding line is adjacent to the side surface of the first insulating layer, the second end of the first signal- feeding line is adjacent to the side surface of the first insulating layer, and the second end of the first signal-feeding line is more adjacent to the side surface of the first insulating layer than the first end of the first signal-feeding line.
8. (Previously presented) The antenna device according to Claim 7, wherein a distance between the first end of the first signal-feeding line and the side surface of the first insulating layer is smaller than a 1/3 of a distance between the side surface of the first insulating layer and the circuit board, and a distance between the second end of the first signal-feeding line and the side surface of the first insulating layer is smaller than a 1/3 of the distance between the side surface of the first insulating layer and the circuit board.
9. (Previously presented) The antenna device according to Claim 4, wherein the second signal-feeding line comprises a first end and a second end, each of the two second grounding lines comprises a first end and a second end, the first end of the second signal-feeding line is for wireless signal reception matching with the first end of each of the two second grounding lines in the first frequency band, and the second end of the second signal-feeding line is for wireless signal reception matching with the second end of each of the two second grounding lines in the second frequency band.
10. (Previously presented) The antenna device according to Claim 9, wherein the second insulating layer has a side surface that is disposed furthest away from the circuit board as compared with other surfaces of the second insulating layer, the side surface of the second insulating layer connects the first surface and the second surface of the second insulating layer, the first end of the second signal-feeding line is adjacent to the side surface of the second insulating layer, the second end of the second signal-feeding line is adjacent to the side surface of the second insulating layer, and the second end of the second signal-feeding line is more adjacent to the side surface of the second insulating layer than the first end of the second signal- feeding line.
11. (Previously presented) The antenna device according to Claim 10, wherein a distance between the first end of the second signal-feeding line and the side surface of the second insulating layer is smaller than a 1/3 of a distance between the side surface of the second insulating layer and the circuit board, and a distance between the second end of the second signal-feeding line and the side surface of the second insulating layer is smaller than a 1/3 of the distance between the side surface of the second insulating layer and the circuit board.
12. (Previously presented) The antenna device according to Claim 4, further comprising a reflecting board that is disposed on a second surface of the circuit board, wherein the first surface and the second surface of the circuit board are parallel with each other and oppose one another.
13. (Previously presented) The antenna device according to Claim 12, wherein a shortest distance between each of the two first grounding lines is between 0 and 10 mm; and wherein a shortest distance between each of the two second grounding lines is between 0 and 10 mm.
14. (Previously presented) The antenna device according to Claim 4, wherein a shape and a location of the first signal-feeding line on the first insulating layer are respectively similar to a shape and a location of the second signal-feeding line on the second insulating layer, and a shape and a location of the two first grounding lines on the first insulating layer are respectively similar to a shape and a location of the two second grounding lines on the second insulating layer.
15. (Previously presented) The antenna device of Claim 4, wherein the first signal feeding line comprises: a second segment that is disposed orthogonal with a third segment of the first signal feeding line; and a first segment of the first signal feeding line branches off of the second segment, the first segment of the first signal feeding line comprises an L-shaped segment, a first segment of the L- shaped segment being disposed parallel with the third segment of the first signal feeding line and a second segment of the L-shaped segment being disposed parallel with the second segment of the first signal feeding line.
16. (Previously presented) The antenna device of Claim 15, wherein the second signal feeding line comprises: a second segment that is disposed orthogonal with a third segment of the second signal feeding line; and a first segment of the second signal feeding line branches off of the second segment, the first segment of the second signal feeding line comprises an L-shaped segment, a first segment of the L-shaped segment being disposed parallel with the third segment of the second signal feeding line and a second segment of the L-shaped segment being disposed parallel with the second segment of the second signal feeding line.
17. (Previously presented) The antenna device of Claim 16, wherein each of the two first grounding lines comprises: a first segment that runs from an end adjacent the circuit board towards an opposing side surface of the first insulating layer; a second segment that is connected with the first segment that runs orthogonal from the first segment;a third segment that is connected with the second segment that runs generally parallel with the first segment; andan L-shaped segment that is connected with the first segment, the L-shaped segment having a first portion that runs parallel with the second segment and a second portion that runs parallel with the third segment.
18. (Previously presented) The antenna device of Claim 17, wherein the L-shaped segment of each of the two first grounding lines comprises a width that is less than a width of each of the first, second and third segments of each of the two first grounding lines.
19. (Previously presented) The antenna device of Claim 18, wherein each of the two second grounding lines comprises: a first segment that runs from an end adjacent the circuit board towards an opposing side surface of the second insulating layer; a second segment that is connected with the first segment that runs orthogonal from the first segment; a third segment that is connected with the second segment that runs generally parallel with the first segment; and an L-shaped segment that is connected with the first segment, the L-shaped segment having a first portion that runs parallel with the second segment and a second portion that runs parallel with the third segment.
20. (Previously presented) The antenna device of Claim 19, wherein the L-shaped segment of each of the two second grounding lines comprises a width that is less than a width of each of the first, second and third segments of each of the two second grounding lines.
21. (Previously presented) The antenna device of Claim 20, wherein the second insulating layer comprises a slot that is symmetrical about the second axis of the second insulating layer, the first insulating layer being disposed within the slot of the second insulating layer.
1. An antenna device, comprising:
a first antenna, comprising:
a first insulating layer;
a first signal-feeding line, the first signal-feeding line disposed on a first surface of the first insulating layer; and
two first grounding lines, the two first grounding lines disposed on a second surface of the first insulating layer, wherein the first surface and the second surface of the first insulating layer are parallel with one another, and each of the two first grounding lines are symmetrical with one another with respect to a first axis of the first insulating layer;
a second antenna, comprising:
a second insulating layer;
a second signal-feeding line, the second signal-feeding line disposed on a first surface of the second insulating layer; and
two second grounding lines, the two second grounding lines disposed on a second surface of the second insulating layer, wherein the first surface and the second surface of the second insulating layer are parallel with one another, and each of the two second grounding lines are symmetrical with one another with respect to a second axis of the second insulating layer; and
a circuit board;
wherein the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer are arranged orthogonal to one another, the first antenna and the second antenna are disposed on a first surface of the circuit board, and the first axis and the second axis are adjacent and substantially parallel with one another;
wherein the first insulating layer, the second insulating layer and the circuit board are each arranged orthogonal to one another.
3. The antenna device according to claim 2, wherein the first signal-feeding line comprises a first end and a second end, each of the two first grounding lines comprises a first end and a second end, the first end of the first signal-feeding line is for wireless signal reception matching with the first end of each of the two first grounding lines in a first frequency band, and the second end of the first signal-feeding line is for wireless signal reception matching with the second end of each of the two first grounding lines in a second frequency band.
4. The antenna device according to claim 3, wherein the first insulating layer has a side surface that is disposed furthest away from the circuit board as compared with other surfaces of the first insulating layer, the side surface connects the first surface and the second surface of the first insulating layer, the first end of the first signal-feeding line is adjacent to the side surface of the first insulating layer, the second end of the first signal-feeding line is adjacent to the side surface of the first insulating layer, and the second end of the first signal-feeding line is more adjacent to the side surface of the first insulating layer than the first end of the first signal-feeding line.
5. The antenna device according to claim 4, wherein a distance between the first end of the first signal-feeding line and the side surface of the first insulating layer is smaller than ⅓ of a distance between the side surface of the first insulating layer and the circuit board, and a distance between the second end of the first signal-feeding line and the side surface of the first insulating layer is smaller than ⅓ of the distance between the side surface of the first insulating layer and the circuit board.
6. The antenna device according to claim 3, wherein the second signal-feeding line comprises a first end and a second end, each of the two second grounding lines comprises a first end and a second end, the first end of the second signal-feeding line is for wireless signal reception matching with the first end of each of the two second grounding lines in the first frequency band, and the second end of the second signal-feeding line is for wireless signal reception matching with the second end of each of the two second grounding lines in the second frequency band.
7. The antenna device according to claim 6, wherein the second insulating layer has a side surface that is disposed furthest away from the circuit board as compared with other surfaces of the second insulating layer, the side surface of the second insulating layer connects the first surface and the second surface of the second insulating layer, the first end of the second signal-feeding line is adjacent to the side surface of the second insulating layer, the second end of the second signal-feeding line is adjacent to the side surface of the second insulating layer, and the second end of the second signal-feeding line is more adjacent to the side surface of the second insulating layer than the first end of the second signal-feeding line.
8. The antenna device according to claim 7, wherein a distance between the first end of the second signal-feeding line and the side surface of the second insulating layer is smaller than ⅓ of a distance between the side surface of the second insulating layer and the circuit board, and a distance between the second end of the second signal-feeding line and the side surface of the second insulating layer is smaller than ⅓ of the distance between the side surface of the second insulating layer and the circuit board.
12. The antenna device according to claim 1, further comprising a reflecting board that is disposed on a second surface of the circuit board, wherein the first surface and the second surface of the circuit board are parallel with each other and oppose one another.
9. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein a shortest distance between each of the two first grounding lines is between 0 and 10 mm.
10. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein a shortest distance between each of the two second grounding lines is between 0 and 10 mm.
11. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the first axis and the second axis are substantially perpendicular to the first surface of the circuit board.
13. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein a shape and a location of the first signal-feeding line on the first insulating layer are respectively similar to a shape and a location of the second signal-feeding line on the second insulating layer, and a shape and a location of the two first grounding lines on the first insulating layer are respectively similar to a shape and a location of the two second grounding lines on the second insulating layer.
14. The antenna device of claim 1, wherein the first signal feeding line comprises: a second segment that is disposed orthogonal with a third segment of the first signal feeding line; and a first segment of the first signal feeding line branches off of the second segment, the first segment of the first signal feeding line comprises an L-shaped segment, a first segment of the L-shaped segment being disposed parallel with the third segment of the first signal feeding line and a second segment of the L-shaped segment being disposed parallel with the second segment of the first signal feeding line.
15. The antenna device of claim 14, wherein the second signal feeding line comprises: a second segment that is disposed orthogonal with a third segment of the second signal feeding line; and a first segment of the second signal feeding line branches off of the second segment, the first segment of the second signal feeding line comprises an L-shaped segment, a first segment of the L-shaped segment being disposed parallel with the third segment of the second signal feeding line and a second segment of the L-shaped segment being disposed parallel with the second segment of the second signal feeding line.
16. The antenna device of claim 15, wherein each of the two first grounding lines comprises: a first segment that runs from an end adjacent the circuit board towards an opposing side surface of the first insulating layer; a second segment that is connected with the first segment that runs orthogonal from the first segment; a third segment that is connected with the second segment that runs generally parallel with the first segment; and an L-shaped segment that is connected with the first segment, the L-shaped segment having a first portion that runs parallel with the second segment and a second portion that runs parallel with the third segment.
17. The antenna device of claim 16, wherein the L-shaped segment of each of the two first grounding lines comprises a width that is less than a width of each of the first, second and third segments of each of the two first grounding lines.
18. The antenna device of claim 17, wherein each of the two second grounding lines comprises: a first segment that runs from an end adjacent the circuit board towards an opposing side surface of the second insulating layer; a second segment that is connected with the first segment that runs orthogonal from the first segment; a third segment that is connected with the second segment that runs generally parallel with the first segment; and an L-shaped segment that is connected with the first segment, the L-shaped segment having a first portion that runs parallel with the second segment and a second portion that runs parallel with the third segment.
19. The antenna device of claim 18, wherein the L-shaped segment of each of the two second grounding lines comprises a width that is less than a width of each of the first, second and third segments of each of the two second grounding lines.
20. The antenna device of claim 19, wherein the second insulating layer comprises a slot that is symmetrical about the second axis of the second insulating layer, the first insulating layer being disposed within the slot of the second insulating layer.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 2-21 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Claim 2, last line reciting “a circuit board” is indefinite, since it’s unclear what, if any, structural interrelationship the circuit board has with “a first antenna” and “a second antenna” earlier recited. It’s not understood how the circuit board is part of “an antenna device” as broadly claimed.
As such, scope of claim 2 cannot be ascertained.
Claims 3-21 depend therefrom.
There should be a clear recitation of interrelated structure in order to provide a complete and operable antenna device.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 7-21 would be allowable if rewritten to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action and to include all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Cheng (US 10790596)
Yu (US 11075460)
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
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/HASAN ISLAM/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2845
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