Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Double Patenting
The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on nonstatutory double patenting provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with the examined application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. See MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP § 2146 et seq. for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b).
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Claims 1, 5-11 and 13-20 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-2 and 4-11 of U.S. Patent No. US 12,212,063 in view of Paulotto et al (US 2019/0020110).
Regarding claims 1, 5-11 and 13-20, claims 1-2 and 4-11 of above patent recite all limitation of claims 1, 5-10, 11 and 13-20 as set forth in the table below.
The above patent does not disclose the first and second conductive patches parallelly facing the second surface/the rear plate of the housing and the first conductive patch and the second conductive patch formed in a same shape.
However, such difference is not patentable merit. It is common practice and well known in the art antennas comprising patches having same shape and parallelly facing the second surface/rear plate of the housing may operate through dielectric-filed openings in the rear of housing or elsewhere in an electronic device.
One of such examples is the teaching of Paulotto in Figures 3, 7, patches (104B or 40B, Fig. 7), and 104A or 40A, Fig. 7) having same shape and parallelly facing the second surface/rear plate (12R, Fig. 3) of the housing may operate through dielectric-filed openings in the rear of housing or elsewhere in an electronic device (see pars. 0044-0045). Therefore, to employ having the first and second as claimed invention would have been obvious to person skill in the art.
Claims 2-4 and 12 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-2 of U.S. Patent No. US 12,212,063 in view of Paulotto et al (US 2019/0020110) and further in view of Lee et al (US 2019/0237149).
Regarding claims 2 and 12, the above Patent and Paulotto are silent on at least one camera and at least one sensor visible through the second surface including the rear plate. However, such difference is not patentable merit. Camera and sensor for taking pictures are common components of a portable communication device. One of such examples is the teaching of Lee in Figure 10A, at least one camera (1061) and at least one sensor (1062) visible through the second surface including the rear plate(1010). Therefore, to employ having the camera and sensor as claimed invention would have been obvious to person skill in the art.
Regarding claim 3, claims 1-2 and 4 of above Patent recite all limitation of claim 3.
Regarding claim 4, Paulotto discloses in Figures 3 and 7, wherein the first conductive patch (104b or 40B) and the second conductive patch (104A or 40A) are disposed in parallel with the second surface including the rear plate (see Fig. 3 and pars 0044-0045).
Examined claims
US 12,212,063
1. A portable communication device comprising:
a housing;
a display visible through a first surface of the housing;
a wireless communication circuit; and
an antenna structure accommodated in the housing and comprising:
a printed circuit board (PCB) including a first insulating layer and a second insulating layer, the first and second insulating layers overlapping each other when viewed from above the first insulating layer,
the PCB including a first side and second side longer than the first side;
a first conductive patch disposed at the first insulating layer and facing a second surface of the housing opposite to the first surface,
the first conductive patch including a first feeding point and a second feeding point formed therein such that a first imaginary line passing through a center of the first conductive patch and the first feeding point is substantially perpendicular to a second imaginary line passing through the center of the first conductive patch and the second feeding point, and that each of the first feeding point and the second feeding point is spaced apart from the second side by a substantially same first distance; and
a second conductive patch disposed at the second insulating layer and facing the second surface,
the second conductive patch including a third feeding point and a fourth feeding point formed therein such that each of the third feeding point and the fourth feeding point is spaced apart from the second side by a substantially same second distance,
the second distance being different from the first distance,
wherein the wireless communication circuit is configured to: transmit or receive a first signal corresponding to a first frequency band via the first conductive patch; and
transmit or receive a second signal corresponding to a second frequency band, different from the first frequency band, via the second conductive patch.
2. The portable communication device of claim 1, further comprising: at least one camera; and at least one sensor, wherein the first surface includes a front plate of the portable communication device, wherein the second surface includes a rear plate of the portable communication device,
wherein the display is visible through a substantial portion of the first surface including the front plate, and
wherein the at least one camera and the at least one sensor are visible through the second surface including the rear plate.
3. The portable communication device of claim 2, wherein the antenna structure is mounted in an internal space of the housing such that the first conductive patch and the second conductive patch face the second surface including the rear plate.
4. The portable communication device of claim 2, wherein the first conductive patch and the second conductive patch are disposed in parallel with the second surface including the rear plate.
5. The portable communication device of claim 1, wherein the first conductive patch is formed in a smaller size than that of the second conductive patch.
6. The portable communication device of claim 1, wherein the second frequency band is lower than the first frequency band.
7. The portable communication device of claim 1, wherein the first distance is shorter than the second distance.
8. The portable communication device of claim 1, wherein the first conductive patch and the second conductive patch are formed in a same shape in which the first conductive patch is smaller than the second conductive patch.
9. The portable communication device of claim 1, wherein the first feeding point is spaced apart from the first side by a third distance, and wherein the third feeding point is spaced apart from the first side by a fourth distance different from the third distance.
10. The portable communication device of claim 9, wherein the fourth distance is longer than the third distance.
11. A portable communication device comprising: a housing comprising a front plate, a rear plate facing in a direction opposite to the front plate, and a lateral member enclosing a space between the front plate and the rear plate;
a display visible from outside of the portable communication device through the front plate;
a wireless communication circuit; and
an antenna structure disposed in the housing and comprising: a printed circuit board (PCB) including a first insulating layer and a second insulating layer, the first and second insulating layers overlapping each other when viewed from above the first insulating layer,
the PCB including a first side and second side longer than the first side;
a first conductive patch disposed at the first insulating layer and facing the rear plate of the housing,
the first conductive patch including a first feeding point and a second feeding point formed therein such that a first imaginary line passing through a center of the first conductive patch and the first feeding point is substantially perpendicular to a second imaginary line passing through the center of the first conductive patch and the second feeding point, and that each of the first feeding point and the second feeding point is spaced apart from the second side by a substantially same first distance; and
a second conductive patch disposed at the second insulating layer and facing the rear plate of the housing,
the second conductive patch including a third feeding point and a fourth feeding point formed therein such that each of the third feeding point and the fourth feeding point is spaced apart from the second side by a substantially same second distance, the second distance being different from the first distance, wherein
the wireless communication circuit is configured to: transmit or receive a first signal corresponding to a first frequency band via the first conductive patch; and transmit or receive a second signal corresponding to a second frequency band, different from the first frequency band, via the second conductive patch.
12. The portable communication device of claim 11, further comprising: at least one camera; and at least one sensor, wherein the at least one camera and the at least one sensor are visible through the rear plate.
13. The portable communication device of claim 11, wherein the antenna structure is mounted in the space between the front plate and the rear plate such that the first conductive patch and the second conductive patch face the rear plate.
14. The portable communication device of claim 11, wherein the first conductive patch and the second conductive patch are disposed in parallel with the rear plate.
15. The portable communication device of claim 11, wherein the first conductive patch is formed in a smaller size than that of the second conductive patch.
16. The portable communication device of claim 11, wherein the second frequency band is lower than the first frequency band.
17. The portable communication device of claim 11, wherein the first distance is shorter than the second distance.
18. The portable communication device of claim 11, wherein the first conductive patch and the second conductive patch are formed in a same shape in which the first conductive patch is smaller than the second conductive patch.
19. The portable communication device of The portable communication device of wherein the first feeding point is spaced apart from the first side by a third distance, and wherein the third feeding point is spaced apart from the first side by a fourth distance different from the third distance.
20. The portable communication device of claim 19, wherein the fourth distance is longer than the third distance.
1. A portable communication device comprising: a housing;
a display;
a support member disposed between the display and a surface of the portable communication device;
an antenna structure disposed in an internal space of the housing, the antenna structure including:
a printed circuit board (PCB) including a first insulating layer and a second insulating layer, the first and second insulating layers overlapping each other when viewed from above,
the PCB including a first side and a second side longer than the first side,
a first conductive patch disposed at the first insulating layer,
the first conductive patch including a first feeding point and a second feeding point formed therein such that a first imaginary line passing through a center of the first conductive patch and the first feeding point is substantially perpendicular to a second imaginary line passing through the center of the first conductive patch and the second feeding point, and that each of the first feeding point and the second feeding point is spaced apart from the second side by a substantially same first distance, and
a second conductive patch disposed at the second insulating layer,
the second conductive patch including a third feeding point and a fourth feeding point formed therein such that each of the third feeding point and the fourth feeding point is spaced apart from the second side by a substantially same second distance, the second distance being different from the first distance; and
a wireless communication circuit configured to; transmit or receive a first signal corresponding to a first frequency band through the first conductive patch, and
transmit or receive a second signal corresponding to a second frequency band, different from the first frequency band, through the second conductive patch, wherein the antenna structure is mounted in a module mounting portion provided in the support member.
2. The portable communication device of claim 1, further comprising: a first surface; a second surface facing in a direction opposite to the first surface; and a lateral surface enclosing the internal space of the housing between the first surface and the second surface, wherein the
display is disposed to be at least partially visible from outside of the portable communication device through the first surface.
4. The portable communication device of claim 2, wherein the antenna structure is mounted in the internal space such that the first conductive patch and the second conductive patch face the lateral surface.
7. The portable communication device of claim 1, wherein the first conductive patch is formed in a smaller size than that of the second conductive patch.
8. The portable communication device of claim 1, wherein the second frequency band is lower than the first frequency band.
9. The portable communication device of claim 1, wherein the first distance is shorter than the second distance.
10. The portable communication device of claim 1, wherein the first feeding point is spaced apart from the first side by a third distance, and wherein the third feeding point is spaced apart from the first side by a fourth distance different from the third distance.
11. The portable communication device of claim 10, wherein the fourth distance is longer than the third distance.
1. A portable communication device comprising: a housing;
a display;
a support member disposed between the display and a surface of the portable communication device; an antenna structure disposed in an internal space of the housing,
the antenna structure including: a printed circuit board (PCB) including a first insulating layer and a second insulating layer, the first and second insulating layers overlapping each other when viewed from above,
the PCB including a first side and a second side longer than the first side,
a first conductive patch disposed at the first insulating layer,
the first conductive patch including a first feeding point and a second feeding point formed therein such that a first imaginary line passing through a center of the first conductive patch and the first feeding point is substantially perpendicular to a second imaginary line passing through the center of the first conductive patch and the second feeding point, and that each of the first feeding point and the second feeding point is spaced apart from the second side by a substantially same first distance, and
a second conductive patch disposed at the second insulating layer,
the second conductive patch including a third feeding point and a fourth feeding point formed therein such that each of the third feeding point and the fourth feeding point is spaced apart from the second side by a substantially same second distance, the second distance being different from the first distance; and
a wireless communication circuit configured to; transmit or receive a first signal corresponding to a first frequency band through the first conductive patch, and transmit or receive a second signal corresponding to a second frequency band, different from the first frequency band, through the second conductive patch,
wherein the antenna structure is mounted in a module mounting portion provided in the support member.
2. The portable communication device of claim 1, further comprising: a first surface; a second surface facing in a direction opposite to the first surface; and a lateral surface enclosing the internal space of the housing between the first surface and the second surface, wherein the display is disposed to be at least partially visible from outside of the portable communication device through the first surface.
4. The portable communication device of claim 2, wherein the antenna structure is mounted in the internal space such that the first conductive patch and the second conductive patch face the lateral surface.
5. The portable communication device of claim 4, wherein the antenna structure is disposed in the internal space of the housing such that the second side is disposed closer to the second surface than the first surface.
7. The portable communication device of claim 1, wherein the first conductive patch is formed in a smaller size than that of the second conductive patch.
8. The portable communication device of claim 1, wherein the second frequency band is lower than the first frequency band.
9. The portable communication device of claim 1, wherein the first distance is shorter than the second distance.
10. The portable communication device of claim 1, wherein the first feeding point is spaced apart from the first side by a third distance, and wherein the third feeding point is spaced apart from the first side by a fourth distance different from the third distance.
11. The portable communication device of claim 10, wherein the fourth distance is longer than the third distance.
Inquiry
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to DIEU HIEN T DUONG whose telephone number is (571)272-8980. The examiner can normally be reached 8:00am-4:00pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, DIMARY CRUZ LOPEZ can be reached at 571-270-7893. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/DIEU HIEN T DUONG/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2845
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