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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
`
`08/05/2022
`
`ELECTRONIC
`
`Please find below and/or attached an Office communication concerning this application or proceeding.
`
`Thetime 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`5a) Of the above claim(s) ___ is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`Cj} Claim(s)
`is/are allowed.
`Claim(s) 1-15 is/are rejected.
`S)
`) © Claim(s)___is/are objected to.
`Cj) Claim(s
`are subjectto restriction and/or election requirement
`)
`S)
`* 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://Awww.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.
`3.4.) 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)
`
`(LJ Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`4) (J Other:
`
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mail Date 20220720
`
`Application No.
`Applicant(s)
`17/045,849
`KASHINO etal.
`
`Office Action Summary Art Unit|AIA (FITF) StatusExaminer
`YONCHANJ KIM
`2845
`Yes
`
`
`
`-- The MAILING DATEof this 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 24 June 2022.
`C} A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/werefiled on
`
`2a)() This action is FINAL. 2b)¥)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
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`Notice ofPre-AIA or AIA Status
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`The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013,is being examined underthe first inventor
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`to file provisions of the AIA.
`
`Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
`
`1.
`
`A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR
`
`1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application 1s eligible for continued
`
`examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid,the finality of
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`the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on
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`June 24, 2022 has been entered.
`
`Response to Amendment
`
`2.
`
`The amendmentfiled June 24, 2022 has been entered. The Applicant amended claims 1 and 15.
`
`Claims 1-15 remain pending in the application.
`
`3.
`
`Applicant’s arguments with respect to claims 1-15 have been considered but are moot because the
`
`new ground of rejection does notrely on the combination of references applied in the prior rejection.
`
`Specification
`
`4.
`
`Thetitle of the invention is not descriptive. A newtitle is required that is clearly indicative of the
`
`invention to which the claims are directed.
`
`The followingtitle 1s suggested: Vehicle Antenna Device with Side Wall Lens.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
`
`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 madein this Office action:
`
`(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or
`otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
`
`5.
`
`Claims 1-3, 5, and 7-13 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Shiozaki
`
`et al. (US PGPUB 2019/0165462 Al), hereinafter known as Shiozaki.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/045,849
`Art Unit: 2845
`
`Page 3
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`6.
`
`Regarding claim 1, Shiozaki discloses (Fig. 15-17) an antenna apparatus (U) mounted ona first
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`vehicle (Ca), comprising: an array antenna (2) that includes at least one antenna element disposed ona first
`
`surface of a substrate (4) and that forms beamsin respective directions, the directions respectively forming a
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`plurality of angles including a first angle with respect to thefirst surface of the substrate (4) and thefirst
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`surface of the substrate (4) being provided along a traveling surface of the first vehicle (Ca); and a side wall (7)
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`that 1s provided in at least a part of a periphery of the at least one antenna element (antenna element of 2) and
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`that refracts a first beam (F) in a direction along the substrate (4), the first beam (F) being in a direction
`
`forming the first angle, wherein the array antenna (2) formsthe first beam (F) for communicating with a first
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`radio communication apparatus (U on Cb) mounted on a second vehicle (Cb) positioned in the direction
`
`along the substrate.
`
`FIG. 15
`
`
`
`FIG. 17
`
`
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/045,849
`Art Unit: 2845
`
`Page 4
`
`7.
`
`Regarding claim 2, Shiozaki further discloses the array antenna includes a phase shifter that controls
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`an excitation phase ofthe at least one antenna element ([0062]), and a control circuit (4a; [0156]) that controls
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`a phase of the phase shifter.
`
`8.
`
`Regarding claim 3, Shiozaki further discloses (Fig. 15) wherein: the array antenna includesa reflector
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`(8) on a surface opposite to the first surface of the substrate (4).
`
`
`
`9. Regarding claim 5, Shiozaki further discloses (Fig. 15) wherein:the side wall (7) includesafirst side
`
`surface (right side 7) on which the first beam 1s made incident, and a second side surface (left side 7) from
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`which thefirst beam is emitted after being refracted thereon, and an angle of inclination of the first side
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`surface (right side 7) with respect to the first surface of the substrate (4) and an angle of inclination of the
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`secondside surface (left side 7) with respect to the first surface of the substrate (4) are set based on thefirst
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`angle.
`
`10.
`
`Regarding claim 7, Shiozaki further discloses (Fig. 15) wherein:thefirst side surface (right side 7) has
`
`a tapered shape such thatthefirst side surface (ight side 7) is away from an axis vertical to the first surface of
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`the substrate as a distance of the first side surface from the substrate increases.
`
`11.
`
`Regarding claim 8, Shiozaki further discloses (Fig. 15) wherein: the secondside surface (left side 7) 1s
`
`vertical to the first surface of the substrate (4).
`
`12.
`
`Regarding claim 9, Shiozaki further discloses (Fig. 15) wherein: the secondside surface (left side 7)
`
`has a lens shape.
`
`13.
`
`Regarding claim 10, Shiozaki further discloses (Fig. 13) wherein: the at least one antenna element (2)
`
`is a plurality of antenna elements (2), the plurality of antenna elements are disposed on the substrate (1) in a
`
`one-dimensional arrangement direction, and the side wall (7) 1s provided on an extensionline of the
`
`arrangementdirection.
`
`14.
`
`Regarding claim 11, Shiozaki further discloses (Fig. 16) wherein: the at least one antenna element (2
`
`and 3) 1s a plurality of antenna elements, the plurality of antenna elements (2 and 3) are disposed on the
`
`substrate in a two-dimensional direction, and the side wall (7) 1s provided at a position surrounding the
`
`plurality of antenna elements (2 and 3).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/045,849
`Art Unit: 2845
`
`Page 5
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`15.
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`Regarding claim 12, Shiozak: further discloses wherein: the at least one antenna element has an
`
`operating frequency included 1n at least one of a quasi-millimeter-wave band, a millimeter-wave band, and a
`
`terahertz band ([0156)).
`
`16.
`
`Regarding claim 13, Shiozaki further discloses (Fig. 15) wherein: the side wall 1s filled with a dielectric
`
`((0052)).
`
`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 invention is not
`identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the
`prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing
`date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention
`pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the mannerin which the invention was made.
`
`17.
`
`Claim 4 is rejected under 35 U.S.C.103 as being unpatentable over Shiozaki in view of
`
`Kosowsky et al. (US Patent No. 4987418 A), hereinafter known as Kosowsky.
`
`18.
`
`Regarding claim 4, Shiozaki does not specifically teach wherein: an insulation layer 1s provided
`
`between the at least one antenna elementand the reflector.
`
`However, Kosowsky teaches (Fig. 1) wherein: an insulation layer (14 and 19) is provided between the
`
`at least one antenna element and the reflector (15).
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`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 Shiozaki with Kosowsky to include
`
`“wherein: an insulation layer 1s provided between the at least one antenna elementandthereflector,” as
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`taught by Kosowsky, for the purpose of protecting personal information (see also col. 1, lines 18-24).
`
`19.
`
`Claim 6 is rejected under 35 U.S.C.103 as being unpatentable over Shiozaki in view of
`
`Emanuelsson (US Patent No. 10012720 B2).
`
`20.
`
`Regarding claim 6, Shiozaki does not specifically teach wherein: the angle of inclination ofthefirst
`
`side surface with respect to the first surface of the substrate is 65° orless.
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`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/045,849
`Art Unit: 2845
`
`Page 6
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`However, Emanuelsson teaches (Fig. 6A) wherein: an angle ofinclination ofa first side surface (406)
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`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 Shiozaki 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).
`
`21,
`
`Claim 14 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Shiozaki in view of Sakai
`
`et al. (US PGPUB 2019 /0067827 A1), hereinafter known as Sakai.
`
`22.
`
`Regarding claim 14, Shiozaki 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 madeincident.
`
`However, Sakai teaches (Fig. 5 and 8) wherein: the side wall (5) has at least a height that allows a
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`beam in a direction forming an angle of 30° with respectto the first surface of the substrate to be made
`
`incident (detection area).
`
`FIG.S
`
`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 Shiozaki with Sakai to imclude “wherein: a
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/045,849
`Art Unit: 2845
`
`Page 7
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`second side surface has a lens shape,” as taught by Sakai, for the purpose of improving performance by
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`minimizing leakage of waves and transmitting within a detection area (see also [0003]).
`
`23.
`
`Claim 15 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Shiozaki in view of
`
`Shiozaki et al. (US PGPUB 2019/0165483 A1), hereinafter known as Shiozaki2.
`
`24.
`
`Regarding claim 15, Shiozaki does not specifically teach wherein the array antenna forms a second
`
`beam in a direction forming a second angle different from the first 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, a position of the second radio communication apparatus being
`
`higher than a position of the antenna apparatus.
`
`However, Shiozaki 2 teaches (Fig. 8 and 12) wherein the array antenna (2, 3) forms a second beam in
`
`a direction forming a second angle (Fig. 12) different from thefirst angle for communicating with a second
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`radio communication apparatus (Fig. 12) positioned in different direction than the direction of the first radio
`
`communication apparatus along the substrate (Fig. 8), a position of the second radio communication
`
`apparatus being higher than a position of the antenna apparatus (Fig. 12).
`
`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 Shiozaki with Shiozaki 2 to include
`
`“wherein the array antenna forms a second beam in a direction forming a second angle different from the
`
`first angle for communicating with a second radio communication apparatus positioned in different direction
`
`than the direction ofthe first radio communication apparatus along the substrate, a position of the second
`
`radio communication apparatus being higher than a position of the antenna apparatus,” as taught by Shiozak1
`
`2, for the purpose of improving SNR and detection (see also [0109]).
`
`Conclusion
`
`Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be
`
`directed to YONCHANJ KIM whosetelephone number ts (571)272-3204. The examiner can normally be
`
`reached Monday- Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/045,849
`Art Unit: 2845
`
`Page 8
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`
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`
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`
`Lopez can be reached on (571) 270-7893. The fax phone numberfor the organization where this application
`
`ot proceeding ts assigned is 571-273-8300.
`
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`
`/YONCHANJ KIM/
`Examiner, Art Unit 2845
`
`/ANDREA LINDGREN BALTZELL/
`Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2845
`
`