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`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and TrademarkOffice
`Address; COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`
`17/045,849
`
`10/07/2020
`
`Yuichi KASHINO
`
`733156.566USPC
`
`9251
`
`Seed IP Law Group LLP/Panasonic
`701 Fifth Avenue, Suite 5400
`Seattle, WA 98104
`
`KIM, YONCHAN J
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`ART UNIT
`
`2845
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`02/17/2022
`
`ELECTRONIC
`
`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.
`
`Notice of the Office communication was sent electronically on above-indicated "Notification Date" to the
`following e-mail address(es):
`USPTOeAction @ SeedIP.com
`
`pairlinkdktg @seedip.com
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`1-15 is/are pending in the application.
`)
`Claim(s)
`5a) Of the above claim(s) ___ is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`C] Claim(s)__ is/are allowed.
`Claim(s) 1-15 is/are rejected.
`(1 Claim(s)__is/are objectedto.
`C} Claim(s)
`are subjectto restriction and/or election requirement
`* If any claims have been determined allowable, you maybeeligible to benefit from the Patent Prosecution Highway program at a
`participating intellectual property office for the corresponding application. For more information, please see
`http://www.uspto.gov/patents/init_events/pph/index.jsp or send an inquiry to PPHfeedback@uspto.gov.
`
`) ) ) )
`
`Application Papers
`10)(] The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`11) The drawing(s) filed on 07 October 2020 is/are: a)¥) accepted or b)() 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).
`
`Priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119
`12) Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d)or (f).
`Certified copies:
`_—_c)L) None ofthe:
`b)L) Some**
`a)¥) All
`1.4) Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2.2) Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No.
`3.2.) Copies of the certified copies of the priority documents have been receivedin 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)
`
`Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`
`2) (J Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`3) (J Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`(Qj Other:
`
`4)
`
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mail Date 20220209
`
`Application No.
`Applicant(s)
`17/045,849
`KASHINO etal.
`
`Office Action Summary Art Unit|AIA (FITF) StatusExaminer
`YONCHANJ KIM
`2845
`Yes
`
`
`
`-- The MAILING DATEofthis communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address --
`Period for Reply
`
`A SHORTENED STATUTORY PERIOD FOR REPLYIS SET TO EXPIRE 3 MONTHS FROM THE MAILING
`DATE OF THIS COMMUNICATION.
`Extensions of time may be available underthe provisions of 37 CFR 1.136(a). In no event, however, may a reply betimely filed after SIX (6) MONTHSfrom 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) MONTHSfrom 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, evenif timely filed, may reduce any earned patent term
`adjustment. See 37 CFR 1.704(b).
`
`Status
`
`1) Responsive to communication(s) filed on 02 November 2021.
`C) A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/werefiled on
`2a)¥) This action is FINAL.
`2b) (J This action is non-final.
`3)02 An election was madeby the applicant in responseto a restriction requirement set forth during the interview
`on
`; the restriction requirement and election have been incorporated into this action.
`4\0) 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 Quayle, 1935 C.D. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/045,849
`Art Unit: 2845
`
`Page 2
`
`Notice ofPre-AIA or AIA Status
`
`The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013,is being examined underthe first inventor
`
`to file provisions of the ALA.
`
`Response to Amendment
`
`1.
`
`The amendmentfiled November 2, 2021 has been entered. The Applicant amended claims 1 and 12,
`
`and added claim 15. Claims 1-15 remain pendingin the application.
`
`2.
`
`Applicant’s arguments with respect to claims 1-15 have been considered but are moot because the
`
`new ground of rejection does not rely on the combination of references applied in the prior rejection.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`The following 1s a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which formsthe basis for all obviousness rejectionsset
`
`forth in this Office action:
`
`A patent for a claimed mvention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed mvention 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 beforethe 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.
`
`3.
`
`Claims1, 3-5, 7-8, and 10-13 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over
`
`Sakai et al. (US PGPUB 2019/0271762 Al), hereinafter known as Sakai, in view of Hansenet al. (US
`
`PGPUB 2012/0249388 A1), hereinafter known as Hansen.
`
`4.
`
`Regarding claim 1, Sakai teaches (Fig. 2-3) an antenna apparatus (1), comprising: an array antenna
`
`that includesat least one antenna element (32) disposed on a first surface of a substrate (31) and that forms
`
`beams (waves) in respective directions, the directions respectively forming a plurality of angles including a
`
`first angle with respect to the first surface of the substrate; and a side wall (4) that 1s providedin at least a part
`
`of a periphery of the at least one antenna element (32) and that refracts a first beam (undesired wave) in a
`
`direction along the substrate (31), the first beam being in a direction formingthefirst angle, wherein the array
`
`antenna formsthe first beam for communicating with a first radio communication apparatus positioned in
`
`the direction along the substrate.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/045,849
`Art Unit: 2845
`
`Page 3
`
`.
`
`FIG.2
`
`FIG.3
`
`However, Hansen teaches (Fig. 8) wherein the array antenna (202) formsthe first beam (402) for
`
`communicating with a first radio communication apparatus positioned in the direction along the substrate
`
`(201).
`
`
`
`ae
`‘
`YY
`‘
`‘
`sons,
`<
`\
`ON
`Poaeonsscentehcennsnsaseonahoony
`“Al
`AMD
`aanTIO
`
`\
`
`-
`
`FIG. 8
`
`It would have been obvious before the effectivefiling date of the claimed invention to a person
`
`having ordinary skill tn the art to modify the antenna apparatus of Sakai with Hansen to include “wherein the
`
`atray antenna formsthe first beam for communicating with a first radio communication apparatus positioned
`
`in the direction along the substrate,” as taught by Hansen, for the purpose of improving horizontal coverage
`
`(see also [0046]).
`
`5.
`
`Regarding claim 3, Sakai further teaches (Fig. 2) wherein: the array antenna includesa reflector (2) on
`
`a surface opposite to the first surface of the substrate (31).
`
`6.
`
`Regarding claim 4, Sakai further teaches (Fig. 2) wherein: an insulation layer (11) is provided between
`
`the at least one antenna element (32) and the reflector (2).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/045,849
`Art Unit: 2845
`
`Page 4
`
`7.
`
`Regarding claim 5, Sakai further teaches (Fig. 3) wherein:the side wall (4) includes a first side surface
`
`(8) on which the first beam (undesired wave) is made incident, and a secondside surface (9) from which the
`
`first beam (undesired wave) 1s emitted after being refracted thereon, and an angle ofinclination of the first
`
`side surface (8) with respect to the first surface of the substrate (31) and an angle ofinclination of the second
`
`side surface (9) with respect to the first surface of the substrate (31) are set based on thefirst angle.
`
`8.
`
`Regarding claim 7, Sakai further teaches (Fig. 3) wherein: the first side surface (8) has a tapered shape
`
`such thatthe first side surface (8) is away from an axis vertical to the first surface of the substrate (31) as a
`
`distance ofthe first side surface (8) from the substrate increases (31).
`
`9.
`
`Regarding claim 8, Sakai further teaches (Fig. 2) wherein: the second side surface (9) is vertical to the
`
`first surface of the substrate (31).
`
`10.
`
`Regarding claim 10, Sakai further teaches (Fig. 2) wherein: the at least one antenna element (32) 1s a
`
`plurality of antenna elements, the plurality of antenna elements (32) are disposed on the substrate (31) in a
`
`one-dimensional arrangement direction, and the side wall (4) 1s provided on an extensionline of the
`
`arrangementdirection.
`
`11.
`
`Regarding claim 11, Sakai further teaches (Fig. 2) wherein:the at least one antenna element (32) 1s a
`
`plurality of antenna elements (32), the plurality of antenna elements (32) are disposed on the substrate (31) in
`
`a two-dimensional direction ([0026]), and the side wall 4) 1s provided at a position surrounding the plurality
`
`of antenna elements (32).
`
`12.
`
`Regarding claim 12, Sakai further teaches (Fig. 2) wherein: the at least one antenna element (32) has
`
`an operating frequency included 1n at least one band selected from a quasi-millimeter-wave band, a
`
`millimeter-wave band, and a terahertz band ((0029], millimeter-wave band).
`
`13.
`
`Regarding claim 13, Sakai further teaches (Fig. 2) wherein:the side wall (4) 1s filled with a dielectric
`
`((0029}).
`
`14.
`
`Regarding claim 15, Sakai does not specifically teach wherein the array antenna forms a second beam
`
`in a direction forming a second angle different from thefirst angle for communicating with a second radio
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/045,849
`Art Unit: 2845
`
`Page 5
`
`communication apparatus positioned in different direction than the direction of the first radio
`
`communication apparatus along the substrate.
`
`However, Hansen teaches (Fig. 8) wherein the array antenna forms a second beam (401) ina
`
`direction forming a second angle different from the first angle (402) for communicating with a second radio
`
`communication apparatus positioned in different direction than the direction of the first radio
`
`communication apparatus along the substrate (201).
`
`It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person
`
`having ordinary skill tn the art to modify the antenna apparatus of Sakai with Hansen to include “wherein the
`
`array antenna forms a second beam in a direction forming a second angle different from thefirst angle for
`
`communicating with a second radio communication apparatus positioned in different direction than the
`
`direction of the first radio communication apparatus along the substrate,” as taught by Hansen, for the
`
`purpose of improving horizontal coverage (see also [0046)).
`
`1.
`
`Claim 2 is rejected under35 U.S.C.103 as being unpatentable over Sakai in view of Hansen,
`
`as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Durham etal. (US 6999044 B2), hereinafter known
`
`as Durham.
`
`16.
`
`Regarding claim 2, Sakai does not specifically teach the array antenna includes a phase shifter that
`
`controls an excitation phase of the at least one antenna element, and a control circu:t that controls a phase of
`
`the phaseshifter.
`
`However, Durham teaches (Fig. 4) an array antenna (400b) includes a phase shifter (85) that controls
`
`an excitation phase ofat least one antenna element (400b), and a control circuit (30) that controls a phase of
`
`the phase shifter (85).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/045,849
`Art Unit: 2845
`
`Page 6
`
`
`
`i
`
`SRBMENT
`
`3
`
`f
`Y
`
`|
`
`‘
`
`i
`
`>
`:
`
`:
`
`St pee
`SIRES
`[PE
`upon ;
`ay?
`aa!
`
`6.4
`
`It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person
`
`having ordinary skill tn the art to modify the antenna apparatus of Sakat with Durham to include “an array
`
`antenna includes a phase shifter that controls an excitation phase of at least one antenna element, and a
`
`control circuit that controls a phase of the phase shifter,” as taught by Durham,for the purpose of improving
`
`performance with directivity through beam steering (see also col. 7, lines 1-8).
`
`17.
`
`Claim 6 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Sakai in view of Hansen,
`
`as applied to claim 5 above, and further in view of Emanuelsson (US Patent No. 10012720 B2).
`
`18.
`
`Regarding claim 6, Sakai does not specifically teach wherein: the angle of inclination of thefirst side
`
`surface with respect to thefirst surface of the substrate 1s 65° orless.
`
`However, Emanuelsson teaches (Fig. 6A) wherein: an angle of inclination ofa first side surface (406)
`
`with respect to a first surface of a substrate (302) 1s 65° orless.
`
`It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person
`
`having ordinary skill in the art to modify the antenna apparatus of Sakai with Emanuelsson to include
`
`“wherein: an angle of inclination of a first side surface with respect to a first surface of a substrate is 65° or
`
`less,” as taught by Emanuelsson, for the purpose of improving performance by not obstructing the beam (see
`
`also col. 8, lines 45-48).
`
`19.
`
`Claims 9 and 14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Sakai in view of
`
`Hansen,as applied to claims 1 and 5 above, and further in view of Sakai et al. (US PGPUB
`
`2019 /0067827 A1).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/045,849
`Art Unit: 2845
`
`Page 7
`
`20.
`
`Regarding claim 9, Sakai does not specifically teach where: the secondside surface has a lens shape.
`
`However, Sakai et al. teaches (Fig. 8) wherein: a second side surface (5c) has a lens shape.
`
`
`
`It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person
`
`having ordinary skill in the art to modify the antenna apparatus of Sakai with Sakai et al. to include “wherein:
`
`a second side surface has a lens shape,” as taught by Sakai etal., for the purpose of improving performance
`
`by minimizing influences of unnecessary waves(see also [0032]).
`
`21.
`
`Regarding claim 14, Sakai does not specifically teach wherein:the side wall has at least a height that
`
`allows a beam in a direction forming an angle of 30° with respect to the first surface of the substrate to be
`
`made incident.
`
`However, Sakai et al. teaches (Fig. 5 and 8) wherein: the side wall (5) has at least a height that allows a
`
`beam in a direction forming an angle of 30° with respectto the first surface of the substrate to be made
`
`incident (detection area).
`
`FIGS
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/045,849
`Art Unit: 2845
`
`Page 8
`
`It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person
`
`having ordinary skill in the art to modify the antenna apparatus of Sakai with Sakai et al. to include “wherein:
`
`a second side surface has a lens shape,” as taught by Sakai etal., for the purpose of improving performance
`
`by minimizing leakage of waves and transmitting within a detection area (see also [0003]).
`
`Conclusion
`
`22.
`
`Applicant's amendmentnecessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action.
`
`Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded ofthe
`
`extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
`
`Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be
`
`directed to YONCHANJ KIM whose telephone numberis (671)272-3204. The examiner can normally be
`
`reached on Monday- Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm.
`
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`
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`
`Lopez can be reached on (571) 270-7893. The fax phone numberfor the organization wherethis application
`
`or proceeding is assigned 1s 571-273-8300.
`
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`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/045,849
`Art Unit: 2845
`
`Page 9
`
`/YONCHANJ KIM/
`Examiner, Art Unit 2845
`
`/ANDREA LINDGREN BALT'ZELL/
`Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2845
`
`