`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria1 Virginia 22313- 1450
`wwwnsptogov
`
`APPLICATION NO.
`
`
`
`
`
` F ING DATE
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`FIRST NAMED INVENTOR
`
`ATTORNEY DOCKET NO.
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`
`
`
`
`CONF {MATION NO.
`
`12/918,419
`
`08/19/2010
`
`Eiji Okada
`
`MAT—10395US
`
`8144
`
`52473
`7590
`09’2””
`W
`RATNERPRESTIA —
`PO. BOX 980
`HU, RUI MENG
`VALLEY FORGE, PA 19482-0980
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`ART UNIT
`
`2618
`
`MAIL DATE
`
`09/25/2012
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`PAPER
`
`Please find below and/or attached an Office communication concerning this application or proceeding.
`
`The time period for reply, if any, is set in the attached communication.
`
`PTOL—90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Application No.
`
`Applicant(s)
`
`12/918,419
`
`Examiner
`RUIMENG HU
`
`OKADA ET AL.
`
`Art Unit
`2618
`
`-- The MAILING DA TE of this communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address --
`Period for Reply
`
`A SHORTENED STATUTORY PERIOD FOR REPLY IS SET TO EXPIRE 3 MONTH(S) OR THIRTY (30) DAYS,
`WHICHEVER IS LONGER, FROM THE MAILING DATE OF THIS COMMUNICATION.
`Extensions of time may be available under the provisions of 37 CFR1. 136( a).
`In no event however may a reply be timely filed
`after SIX () MONTHS from the mailing date of this communication.
`If NO period for reply is specified above, the maximum statutory period will apply and will expire SIX (6) MONTHS from the mailing date of this communication.
`-
`- Failure to reply within the set or extended period for reply will, by statute, cause the application to become ABANDONED (35 U.S.C. § 133).
`Any reply received by the Office later than three months after the mailing date of this communication, even if timely filed, may reduce any
`earned patent term adjustment. See 37 CFR 1.704(b).
`
`Status
`
`1)IZI Responsive to communication(s) filed on 19 August 2010.
`
`2a)I:l This action is FINAL.
`
`2b)IZ| This action is non-final.
`
`3)I:I An election was made by the applicant in response to a restriction requirement set forth during the interview on
`
`
`; the restriction requirement and election have been incorporated into this action.
`
`4)|:l Since this application is in condition for allowance except for formal matters, prosecution as to the merits is
`
`closed in accordance with the practice under Exparte Quay/e, 1935 CD. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`Disposition of Claims
`
`5)IZI Claim(s) 1-6 and 8-15 is/are pending in the application.
`
`5a) Of the above claim(s) _ is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`
`6)I:I Claim(s) _ is/are allowed.
`
`7)|Zl Claim(s) 1-6and8-15is/are rejected.
`
`8)I:I Claim(s) _ is/are objected to.
`
`9)I:l Claim(s) _ are subject to restriction and/or election requirement.
`
`Application Papers
`
`10)I:I The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`
`11)|X| The drawing(s) filed on 19 August 2010 is/are: a)IX| accepted or b)|:l objected to by the Examiner.
`
`Applicant may not request that any objection to the drawing(s) be held in abeyance. See 37 CFR 1.85(a).
`
`Replacement drawing sheet(s) including the correction is required if the drawing(s) is objected to. See 37 CFR 1.121 (d).
`
`12)I:I The oath or declaration is objected to by the Examiner. Note the attached Office Action or form PTO-152.
`
`Priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119
`
`13)IZI Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) or (f).
`
`a)lX| AII
`
`b)I:I Some * c)|:l None of:
`
`1.IZI Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`
`2.I:I Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No. _
`
`3.|:I Copies of the certified copies of the priority documents have been received in this National Stage
`
`application from the International Bureau (PCT Rule 17.2(a)).
`
`* See the attached detailed Office action for a list of the certified copies not received.
`
`Attachment(s)
`
`1) X Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`2) D Notice of Draftsperson‘s Patent Drawing Review (PTO-948)
`3) IZI Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08)
`Paper No(s)/Mai| Date See Continuation Sheet.
`US. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`4) D Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper N°(5 )/Mai| Date. _
`5)I:I Notice of Informal Patent Application
`)6|:| Other:
`
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 03-11)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mai| Date 20120920
`
`
`
`

`

`Continuation Sheet (PTOL-326)
`
`Application No. 12/918,419
`
`Continuation of Attachment(s) 3). Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/O8), Paper No(s)/Mai| Date
`:08/19/2010,02/11/2011,06/28/2012.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 12/918,419
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`Page 2
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`Art Unit: 2618
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`DETAILED ACTION
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
`
`1.
`
`The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that
`
`form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
`
`A person shall be entitled to a patent unless —
`
`(e) the invention was described in (1) an application for patent, published under section 122(b), by
`another filed in the United States before the invention by the applicant for patent or (2) a patent
`granted on an application for patent by another filed in the United States before the invention by the
`applicant for patent, except that an international application filed under the treaty defined in section
`351 (a) shall have the effects for purposes of this subsection of an application filed in the United States
`only if the international application designated the United States and was published under Article 21(2)
`of such treaty in the English language.
`
`2.
`
`Claims 1-3 and 11 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(e) as being anticipated by
`
`Kim et al. (US Pub 2008/0051050).
`
`Consider claim 1, Kim et al. disclose (Abstract, figures 2, 38, paragraph 0049)
`
`An amplifier circuit (figure 2) comprising: a variable gain amplifier (figure 2, amplifier
`
`241) that amplifies a signal input from an input port and outputs the amplified signal
`
`from an output port; a controller (figure 2, gain control 227) operable to change an gain
`
`of the variable gain amplifier; a mixer (figure 2, mixer 213) that mixes the signal output
`
`from the output port of the variable gain amplifier with a local oscillating signal to
`
`heterodyne the signal, and outputs the heterodyned signal; a filter (figure 2, filter 214)
`
`that outputs a signal component (figure 5, signal component 404) having a
`
`predetermined frequency out of the signal output from the mixer; and a first detector
`
`(figure 2, RSSI 223) that detects a first power level based on power of the signal output
`
`from the filter (filter 214), wherein the controller (gain control 227) is operable to change
`
`the gain according to the first power level such that a quality level representing quality of
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 12/918,419
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`Page 3
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`Art Unit: 2618
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`the signal output from the filter becomes a target quality level immediately after the gain
`
`is changed (paragraph 0049, adjust the gain such that the RSSI level of the signal
`
`output from the filter 214 is at the target level).
`
`Consider claim 2 as applied to claim 1, Kim et al. disclose comprising a second
`
`detector that detects a second power level based on power of a signal between the
`
`output port of the variable gain amplifier and the filter (figure 2, detector 221, paragraph
`
`0048), wherein the controller is operable to change the gain according to the first power
`
`level and the second power level such that that the quality level representing quality of
`
`the signal output from the filter immediately after the gain is changed, change the gain
`
`immediately after the first power level exceeds a switching threshold, and the switching
`
`threshold is different depending on a frequency of the local oscillating signal (figures 2,
`
`3A, detector 221, paragraph 0048; figure 4, thresholds V_H, V_L for the selected
`
`frequency band).
`
`Consider claim 3 as applied to claim 2, Kim et al. disclose wherein a frequency
`
`at which the first detector sends the first power level to the controller is higher than a
`
`frequency at which the second detector sends the second power level to the controller
`
`(figure 2, detector 221 at RF, detector 223 at IF).
`
`Consider claim 11 as applied to claim 1, Kim et al. disclose comprising a radio-
`
`frequency (RF) variable gain amplifier connected between the output port of the variable
`
`gain amplifier and the mixer (figure 2), wherein the controller is operable to change the
`
`gain of the variable gain amplifier and a gain of the RF variable gain amplifier
`
`simultaneously (figure 2, to change the gain of the amplifiers 211 and 212).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 12/918,419
`
`Page 4
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`Art Unit: 2618
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`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`3.
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103(a) which forms the basis for all
`
`obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
`
`(a) A patent may not be obtained though the invention is not identically disclosed or described as set
`forth in section 102 of this title, if the differences between the subject matter sought to be patented and
`the prior art are such that the subject matter as a whole would have been obvious at the time the
`invention was made to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which said subject matter pertains.
`Patentability shall not be negatived by the manner in which the invention was made.
`
`4.
`
`The factual inquiries set forth in Graham v. John Deere 00., 383 U.S. 1, 148
`
`USPQ 459 (1966), that are applied for establishing a background for determining
`
`obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103(a) are summarized as follows:
`
`1.
`2.
`3.
`4.
`
`Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
`Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
`Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
`Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating
`obviousness or nonobviousness.
`
`5.
`
`This application currently names joint inventors.
`
`In considering patentability of
`
`the claims under 35 U.S.C. 103(a), the examiner presumes that the subject matter of
`
`the various claims was commonly owned at the time any inventions covered therein
`
`were made absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation
`
`under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and invention dates of each claim that was
`
`not commonly owned at the time a later invention was made in order for the examiner to
`
`consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 103(c) and potential 35 U.S.C. 102(e), (f) or (g)
`
`prior art under 35 U.S.C. 103(a).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 12/918,419
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`Page 5
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`Art Unit: 2618
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`6.
`
`Claims 4 and 12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over
`
`Kim et al. (US Pub 2008/0051050) in view of Parssinen et al. (US Pub
`
`2006/0079191).
`
`Consider claim 4 as applied to claim 2, Kim et al. fail to disclose wherein a time
`
`interval at which at least one of the first power level and the second power level is
`
`transmitted to the controller changes, the time interval increases when a value currently
`
`transmitted to the controller is changed from a value previously transmitted to the
`
`controller by a value smaller than a first predetermined value, and the time interval
`
`decreases when a value transmitted to the controller is changed from a value previously
`
`transmitted to the controller by a value larger than a second predetermined value.
`
`In the same field of endeavor, Parssinen et al. disclose (Abstract, figures 2, 3,
`
`paragraph 0047, claim 56) a receiver comprising a gain control circuit, wherein a time
`
`interval at which at least one of the first power level and the second power level is
`
`transmitted to the controller changes, the time interval increases when a value currently
`
`transmitted to the controller is changed from a value previously transmitted to the
`
`controller by a value smaller than a first predetermined value, and the time interval
`
`decreases when a value transmitted to the controller is changed from a value previously
`
`transmitted to the controller by a value larger than a second predetermined value
`
`(Abstract, figures 2, 3, paragraph 0047, claim 56, when RSSI is changing faster than a
`
`predetermined amount over a period of time, then the time interval is reduced as to
`
`start the next repetitive measurement quicker).
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 12/918,419
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`Page 6
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`Art Unit: 2618
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`Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art at
`
`the time the invention was made to incorporate the selection techniques taught by
`
`Parssinen et al. into the art of Kim et al. as to start the next repetitive measurement
`
`quicker when RSSI is changing faster than a predetermined amount.
`
`Consider claim 12 as applied to claim 1, Kim et al. disclose wherein the
`
`controller is operable to change the gain of the variable gain amplifier and a gain of the
`
`IF variable gain amplifier simultaneously (figure 2), but fail to disclose an intermediate-
`
`frequency (IF) variable gain amplifier connected between the filter and the first detector.
`
`In the same field of endeavor, Parssinen et al. disclose (Abstract, figures 2, 3) a
`
`receiver comprising a gain control circuit, an intermediate-frequency (IF) variable gain
`
`amplifier (figure 2, IF variable gain amplifier 34) connected between the filter 32 and a
`
`first detector 50, wherein the controller 44 is operable to change the gain of the variable
`
`gain amplifier 28 and a gain of the IF variable gain amplifier 34 simultaneously.
`
`Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art at
`
`the time the invention was made to incorporate the selection techniques taught by
`
`Parssinen et al. into the art of Kim et al. as to further control the IF stage gain based on
`
`the detected power level.
`
`7.
`
`Claims 5 and 14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over
`
`Kim et al. (US Pub 2008/0051050) in View of Haub et al. (US Pub 2004/0097209).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 12/918,419
`
`Page 7
`
`Art Unit: 2618
`
`Consider claim 5 as applied to claim 2, Kim et al. fail to disclose wherein the
`
`controller is operable to change the gain of the variable gain amplifier based on a value
`
`obtained by averaging the second power level for a predetermined period.
`
`In the same field of endeavor, Haub et al. disclose (Abstract, figure 6) a receiver
`
`comprising a gain control circuit, wherein a controller (figure 7, state machine 716) is
`
`operable to change the gain of the variable gain amplifier (figure 6, LNA 608, 612)
`
`based on a value obtained by averaging a power level for a predetermined period
`
`(paragraph 0041, LEVEL 1
`
`is averaged).
`
`Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art at
`
`the time the invention was made to incorporate the selection techniques taught by Haub
`
`et al. into the art of Kim et al. as to use averaged power level for better accuracy.
`
`Consider claim 14 as applied to claim 1, Kim et al. fail to disclose wherein the
`
`controller is operable to change the gain of the variable gain amplifier based on a value
`
`obtained by averaging the first power level for a predetermined period.
`
`In the same field of endeavor, Haub et al. disclose (Abstract, figure 6) a receiver
`
`comprising a gain control circuit, wherein a controller (figure 7, state machine 716) is
`
`operable to change the gain of the variable gain amplifier (figure 6, LNA 608, 612)
`
`based on a value obtained by averaging a power level for a predetermined period
`
`(paragraph 0041, LEVEL 1
`
`is averaged).
`
`Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art at
`
`the time the invention was made to incorporate the selection techniques taught by Haub
`
`et al. into the art of Kim et al. as to use averaged power level for better accuracy.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 12/918,419
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`Page 8
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`Art Unit: 2618
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`8.
`
`Claim 6 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over Kim et al.
`
`(US Pub 2008/0051050) in view of Ohtaki et al. (US Patent 7,454,180).
`
`Consider claim 6 as applied to claim 1, Kim et al. fail to disclose wherein the
`
`variable gain amplifier includes an amplifier that amplifies the signal input from the input
`
`port at a predetermined gain and outputs the amplified signal from the output port, and a
`
`switch connected between the input port and the output port and connecting and
`
`disconnecting between the input port and the output port, and the controller is operable
`
`to stop power supplied to the amplifier when the switch is turned on, and to supply
`
`power to the amplifier when the switch is turned off.
`
`In the same field of endeavor, Ohtaki et al. disclose (Abstract, figure 1) a receiver
`
`comprising a gain control circuit (LNA 22), wherein the variable gain amplifier includes
`
`an amplifier that amplifies the signal input from the input port at a predetermined gain
`
`and outputs the amplified signal from the output port (figure 1, controlled by gain
`
`controller 34), and a switch connected between the input port and the output port and
`
`connecting and disconnecting between the input port and the output port, and the
`
`controller is operable to stop power supplied to the amplifier when the switch is turned
`
`on, and to supply power to the amplifier when the switch is turned off (figure 1, switch
`
`23, column 6 lines 49-55).
`
`Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art at
`
`the time the invention was made to incorporate the selection techniques taught by
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 12/918,419
`
`Page 9
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`Art Unit: 2618
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`Ohtaki et al. into the art of Kim et al. as to turn off the LNA when no amplification is
`
`required as to save power.
`
`9.
`
`Claim 8 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over Kim et al.
`
`(US Pub 2008/0051050) in view of Wallace et al. (US Pub 2007/0243842).
`
`Consider claim 8 as applied to claim 1, Kim et al. fail to disclose wherein the
`
`controller is operable to set the gain to gains (3(1), .
`
`.
`
`.
`
`, (3(n-1), (3(n), .
`
`.
`
`.
`
`, (3(m), where
`
`n and m are integers satisfying 2<n<m, store each power level P1 when a C/N ratio of a
`
`signal becomes a target C/N ratio when the gain is each of gains (3(2), .
`
`.
`
`.
`
`, (3(n-1),
`
`(3(n), (3(n+1), .
`
`.
`
`.
`
`, (3(m) as switching thresholds Pc(2), .
`
`.
`
`.
`
`, Pc(n-1), Pc(n), Pc(n+1), .
`
`.
`
`.
`
`, Pc(m), respectively, change the gain from gain (3(n-1) to (3(n) immediately after the
`
`power level P1 exceeds the switching threshold Pc(n) when the first power level
`
`changes from a value smaller than the switching threshold Pc(n) to a value larger than
`
`the switching threshold Pc(n) while the gain is gain (3(n-1), and change the gain from
`
`gain (3(n) to (3(n-1) immediately after the power level P1 becomes smaller than the
`
`switching threshold Pc(n) when the first power level changes from a value larger than
`
`the switching threshold Pc(n) to a value smaller than the switching threshold Pc(n) while
`
`the gain is gain (3(n).
`
`In the same field of endeavor, Wallace et al. disclose (abstract, figures 1, 2a, 2b,
`
`9, paragraphs 0036-0040) a mobile receiver comprising a gain control unit, wherein a
`
`controller 118 is operable to set the gain to gains (3(1), .
`
`.
`
`.
`
`, (3(n-1), (3(n), .
`
`.
`
`.
`
`, (3(m)
`
`(figures 2a, 2b), where n and m are integers satisfying 2<n<m, store each power level
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 12/918,419
`
`Page 10
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`Art Unit: 2618
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`P1 when a C/N ratio of a signal becomes a target C/N ratio when the gain is each of
`
`gains (3(2), .
`
`.
`
`.
`
`, G(n-1), G(n), G(n+1), .
`
`.
`
`.
`
`, G(m) as switching thresholds Pc(2), .
`
`.
`
`.
`
`,
`
`Pc(n-1), Pc(n), Pc(n+1), .
`
`.
`
`.
`
`, Pc(m), respectively, change the gain from gain G(n-1) to
`
`G(n) immediately after the power level P1 exceeds the switching threshold Pc(n) when
`
`the first power level changes from a value smaller than the switching threshold Pc(n) to
`
`a value larger than the switching threshold Pc(n) while the gain is gain G(n-1), and
`
`change the gain from gain G(n) to G(n-1) immediately after the power level P1 becomes
`
`smaller than the switching threshold Pc(n) when the first power level changes from a
`
`value larger than the switching threshold Pc(n) to a value smaller than the switching
`
`threshold Pc(n) while the gain is gain G(n) (figures 1, 2a, 2b, 9, paragraphs 0036-0040).
`
`Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art at
`
`the time the invention was made to incorporate the selection techniques taught by
`
`Wallace et al. into the art of Kim et al. as to adjust gains to meet the target C/N ratio.
`
`10.
`
`Claim 9 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over Kim et al.
`
`(US Pub 2008/0051050) in view of Gila et al. (US Patent 7,567,792).
`
`Consider claim 9 as applied to claim 1, Kim et al. fail to disclose wherein the
`
`controller is operable to stop power supplied to the first detector while which the first
`
`power level is not sent to the controller.
`
`In the same field of endeavor, Gila et al. disclose (abstract, figure 1, column 3
`
`lines 53-57) a mobile receiver comprising a level detector unit P1, P2 can be turned off
`
`for a cyclic pause time within a cycle time.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 12/918,419
`
`Page 11
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`Art Unit: 2618
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`Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art at
`
`the time the invention was made to incorporate the selection techniques taught by Gila
`
`et al. into the art of Kim et al. as to turn off the level detector when it’s not in use as to
`
`save power.
`
`11.
`
`Claim 10 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over Kim et
`
`al. (US Pub 2008/0051050) in view of Giancola et al. (US Pub 2006/0014507).
`
`Consider claim 10 as applied to claim 1, Kim et al. fail to disclose wherein the
`
`target quality level is determined based on a Doppler frequency.
`
`In the same field of endeavor, Giancola et al. disclose (abstract, figure 1) a radio
`
`receiver comprising a gain control unit 19 for controlling amplifier 11, wherein a target
`
`quality level is determined based on a Doppler frequency (Abstract).
`
`Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art at
`
`the time the invention was made to incorporate the selection techniques taught by
`
`Giancola et al. into the art of Kim et al. as to adjust gain based on the Doppler
`
`frequency.
`
`12.
`
`Claims 13 and 15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable
`
`over Kim et al. (US Pub 2008/0051050) in view of Shi (US Patent 7,120,410).
`
`Consider claim 13 as applied to claim 1, Kim et al. fail to disclose wherein the
`
`signal input to the input port has a guard interval, and the controller changes the gain of
`
`the variable gain amplifier within a period of the guard interval.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 12/918,419
`
`Page 12
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`Art Unit: 2618
`
`In the same field of endeavor, Shi disclose (Abstract, figures 2, 4B, 8) a receiver
`
`comprising a gain control circuit, wherein a signal input to a input port has a guard
`
`interval, and a controller changes the gain of a variable gain amplifier within a period of
`
`the guard interval (column 6 line 62-column 7 line 3).
`
`Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art at
`
`the time the invention was made to incorporate the selection techniques taught by Shi
`
`into the art of Kim et al. as to adjust gain during the guard interval.
`
`Consider claim 15 as applied to claim 1, Kim et al. disclose A receiver
`
`comprising: the amplifier circuit according to claim 1; but fail to disclose a signal
`
`processor that processes a signal output from the filter of the amplifier circuit; and a
`
`display that displays an image based on the processed signal.
`
`In the same field of endeavor, Shi disclose (Abstract, figures 2, 8) a receiver
`
`comprising a gain control circuit, a signal processor that processes a signal output from
`
`the filter of the amplifier circuit; and a display that displays an image based on the
`
`processed signal (figure 8, Display).
`
`Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art at
`
`the time the invention was made to incorporate the selection techniques taught by Shi
`
`into the art of Kim et al. as to utilize a mobile phone.
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`Conclusion
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`Any response to this Office Action should be faxed to (571) 273-8300 or mailed
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`to:
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`Commissioner for Patents
`
`PO. Box 1450
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`Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 12/918,419
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`Page 13
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`Art Unit: 2618
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`Hand-delivered responses should be brought to
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`Customer Service Window
`
`Randolph Building
`401 Dulany Street
`Alexandria, VA 22314
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`Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the
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`examiner should be directed to Rui Meng Hu whose telephone number is 571 -270-
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`1105. The examiner can normally be reached on Monday - Thursday, 8:00 am. - 5:00
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`p.m., EST.
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`If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s
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`supervisor, Edward Urban can be reached on 571-272-7899. The fax phone number for
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`the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
`
`Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the
`
`Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for
`
`published applications may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR.
`
`Status information for unpublished applications is available through Private PAIR only.
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`For more information about the PAIR system, see http://pair-direct.uspto.gov. Should
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`you have questions on access to the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic
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`Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free).
`
`/Rui Meng Hu/
`R.H./rh
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`September 21, 2012
`
`/ Edward Urban/
`
`Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2618
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 12/918,419
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`Page 14
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`Art Unit: 2618
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