`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMIVHSSIONER FOR PATENTS
`PO. Box 1450
`Alexandria1 Virginia 22313-1450
`www.uspto.gov
`
`
`
`
`
`14/131,122
`
`01/06/2014
`
`Toshifumi Nakatani
`
`734256.446USPC
`
`7472
`
`Seed IP Law Group/Panasonic
`701 Fifth Avenue, Suite 5400
`Seattle, WA 98104
`
`SHIUE’ DONG-CHANG
`
`ART UNIT
`
`2648
`
`PAPER NUIVIBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`06/20/2016
`
`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):
`
`patentinfo @ seedip.c0m
`
`PTOL—90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`
`
`Applicant(s)
`Application No.
` 14/131,122 NAKATANI, TOSHIFUMI
`
`
`AIA (First Inventor to File)
`Art Unit
`Examiner
`Office Action Summary
`
`
`DONG-CHANG SHIUE [SENS 2648
`-- 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 g MONTHS FROM THE MAILING DATE OF
`THIS COMMUNICATION.
`Extensions of time may be available under the provisions of 37 CFR1. 136( a).
`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).
`
`In no event, however, may a reply be timely filed
`
`Status
`
`1)IZI Responsive to communication(s) filed on 5/12/2016.
`El A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/were filed on
`
`2b)|:l This action is non-final.
`2a)|Z| This action is 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)|:| 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) 1-8 and 10-18 is/are pending in the application.
`5a) Of the above claim(s)
`is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`
`is/are allowed.
`6)I:I Claim(s)
`7)|Z| Claim(s) 1-83nd10- 18is/are rejected.
`8)|:I Claim(s)_ is/are objected to.
`
`
`are subject to restriction and/or election requirement.
`9)I:I Claim((s)
`* If any claims have been determined allowable, you may be eligible to benefit from the Patent Prosecution Highway program at a
`
`participating intellectual property office for the corresponding application. For more information, please see
`hit
`:/'I’vaIW.usnI‘.0. ovI’ atentS/init events/
`
`
`
`h/index.‘s or send an inquiry to PPI-iieedback{®usgtc.00v.
`
`Application Papers
`
`10)I:l The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`11)I:l The drawing(s) filed on
`is/are: a)I:I accepted or b)I:I 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)I:| Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) or (f).
`Certified copies:
`
`a)I:l All
`
`b)|:l Some” c)I:l None of the:
`
`1.I:I Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2.|:l Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No.
`3.|:| 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)
`
`
`
`3) D Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`1) E Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`Paper No(s)/Mai| Date.
`.
`.
`4) I:I Other'
`2) I] InformatIon DIsclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)
`Paper No(s)/Mai| Date
`US. Patent and Trademark Office
`PTOL—326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mai| Date 20160603
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/131 ,122
`
`Page 2
`
`Art Unit: 2648
`
`DETAILED ACTION
`
`The present application is being examined under the pre-AIA first to invent provisions.
`
`Response to Amendment
`
`. Claim 9 has been canceled.
`
`0 Claims 1-4, 6, 7, and 10-13 are amended.
`
`0 Claims 14-18 are newly added.
`
`. Claims 1-8 and 10-18 are pending.
`
`Response to Arguments
`
`On page 12 in the Remarks filed on 5/12/2016, in regard to a first and a second
`
`phase shifter, Applicant submits that Toshio fails to teach or suggest a first phase shifter
`
`that is electrically coupled to the second terminal, wherein the first phase shifter
`
`receives the in-phase signal from the second terminal, delays a phase of the in-phase
`
`signal by a first phase delay amount, and outputs the delayed in-phase signal as a
`
`first output signal; and a second phase shifter that is electrically coupled to the third
`
`terminal, wherein the second phase shifter receives the out-of-phase signal from the
`
`third terminal, delays a phase of the out-of-phase signal by a second phase delay
`
`amount, and outputs the delayed out-of—phase signal as a second output signal,
`
`wherein the second phase delay amount is larger than the first phase delay amount.
`
`The examiner respectfully disagrees. Choi indeed teaches a first phase shifter
`
`p130 receives an in-phase signal from a hybrid coupler 120 and a second phase shifter
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/131 ,122
`
`Page 3
`
`Art Unit: 2648
`
`140 receives the out-of-phase signal from the hybrid coupler (Choi, Fig. 1), wherein
`
`each phase shifter outputs a signal with a phase delay amount (Choi, page 3, 3rd
`
`paragraph).
`
`On pages 12-13 in the Remarks filed on 5/12/2016, in regard to terminal’s
`
`numerical designators, Applicant submits that “In addition, Toshio fails to teach or
`
`suggest a termination resistance that is electrically coupled to the fourth terminal as
`
`recited in claim 1. In the Office Action dated February 12, 2016 on page 5, the Examiner
`
`points to resistor R of Drawing 4 as teaching the termination resistance. Applicant
`
`respectfully disagrees. As described in claim 1, a second coupling capacitor is
`
`electrically coupled to the second terminal and the fourth terminal the first phase shifter
`
`is electrically coupled to the second terminal and a termination resistance is electrically
`
`coupled to the fourth terminal. Accordingly, the fourth terminal is electrically coupled to
`
`the same terminal as the second coupling capacitor, which is also electrically coupled to
`
`the first phase shifter. As discussed above, the circuit of Drawing 4 does not include a
`
`first phase shifter. Accordingly, the resistor R is not electrically coupled to the same
`
`terminal as a coupling capacitor, which is also electrically coupled to a first phase
`
`shifter. Further, even assuming arguendo that the circuit as shown in Drawing 4
`
`includes a first phase shifter at terminal 13 as the Examiner suggests, the resistor R is
`
`not electrically coupled to capacitor Cc that is electrically coupled to terminal 13.
`
`Accordingly, Toshio fails to teach or suggest a termination resistance that is electrically
`
`coupled to the fourth terminal.”
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/131 ,122
`
`Page 4
`
`Art Unit: 2648
`
`The examiner respectfully disagrees. Toshio discloses that claimed invention
`
`except for the numerical designators matching the claimed designators. The disclosed
`
`transformer structure exactly reads on the claimed structure and performs the exact
`
`functionalities as recited in claim 1. Rearranging the numerical designators does not
`
`make the claimed invention a patentable distinction. For instance, the out-of-phase port
`
`of Toshio can be l2 while the termination resistor is moved to l4. Even with this
`
`rearrangement, the disclosed structure still performs the exact functionalities as
`
`claimed. Further, this is technically similar to the fact that rearranging parts of an
`
`invention involves only ordinary skill in the art. In re Japikse, 86 USPQ 70. See also, In
`
`re Kuh/e, 526 F.2d 553, 188 USPQ 7 (CCPA 1975) (the particular placement of a
`
`contact in a conductivity measuring device was held to be an obvious matter of design
`
`choice).
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 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.
`
`1.
`
`Claims 1, 8, 10, and 15-18 are rejected under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being
`
`unpatentable over JP 06-284043 (Toshio) in view of KR 2011-0081496 (Choi), and
`
`further in view of JP 61-125215 (Toshiaki) and Examiner’s Official Notice.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/131 ,122
`
`Page 5
`
`Art Unit: 2648
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`Regarding claim 1, Toshio discloses that “A quadrature hybrid eeupier
`
`comprising:
`
`a transformer that ineiudee a first terminai, a eeeend terrninai. a third terminai and
`
`a fourth terrninai (Toshio, Fig. 4: transformer Th has four terminals), wherein the first
`
`terminai receives an input signai (Toshio, Fig. 4: terminal l1 receives input signal)¢
`
`the seeend terrninai eutguts an in—ghase eignai having a ghaee aggrexirnateiy eguai te a
`
`phase (ii the input signai (Toshio, Fig. 4: terminal l3 outputs a signal of 0 degree
`
`relative to the input signal) anti the third terminai eut
`
`
`tits an eut~eiv has
`air net
`
`
`having a ghaee difference at aggrexintateiy 90 degrees treat the ingut aignai (Toshio,
`
`Fig. 4: terminal l4 outputs a signal of 90 degree relative to the input signal);
`
`a first eeueiing eaeaeiter that is eieetrieeiiy eeugied the first terminai and the third
`
`terminai (Toshio, Fig. 4: a first coupling capacitor Cc is provided between
`
`terminals l1 and l2);
`
`a aecend eeupiing capacitor that is eiectrieaiiv eeugied to the aeeent‘i terrninai
`
`and the fourth terrniriai (Toshio, Fig. 4: a second coupling capacitor Cc is provided
`
`between terminals l3 and I4);
`
`a first shunt capaciter, a aeeenti shunt capaciter, a third shunt capaciter and a
`
`feurth shunt eaeaeiter that are reenactiveiy eieetricatiy eeugied te the first terminat, the
`
`second terrniriai, the third terrniriai and the feurth terminai (Toshio, Fig. 4: four shunt
`
`capacitors Co are electrically connected to the four terminals);
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/131 ,122
`
`Page 6
`
`Art Unit: 2648
`
`a termination resistance that is eiectrioatig coepied to the iotirth terminai (Toshio,
`
`Fig. 4: a termination resistor R is connected to the second terminal, wherein it is
`
`to be noted that the numbering of the terminals can be changed so that l2
`
`becomes l4 and I1 becomes l3, wherein it is well known in the art that terminating
`
`an open terminal with a resistor is a common design practice);"
`
`But: Toshio does not expiicitiy disciose that a termination capacitor that is
`
`etectricaiiy coopted to the fourth termihat end is eteotricaiiy coughed in peraiiei with the
`
`termination resistance; a first phase shifter that is eiectrioaiiy ooopted to the second
`
`terrnihei, wherein the
`
`first hese shifter receives ti
`
`
`
`
`te invphese signei from the second
`
`terminai‘ deiays a phase of the inphase sighai by a first phase deia'xg. and outputs the
`
`detayed ih—phase signai as a first output signei; and
`
`a second phase shifter that is eiectriceiiyg coopied to the third terrhiriai, wherein
`
`the second hese shifter receives the QUt'Oi- hese siohat front the third terrnineE. oeia
`
`
`
`
`
`a phase of the octet—phase signai by a second phase detox amount and outputs the
`
`doiaxed out~of~phase sighei as a second output signeis wherein the second phase detey
`
`amount is iarger than the first phase deiay amount:
`
`However, {:hoi teaches that “at first phase shifter that is eiectrioaiiy coopied to the
`
`second terminai {Qhoh Fig. 1 end page at: first phase shitter 13th, wherein the first
`
`phase shifter receives the in~phase signei from the second torrninai: detays a phase of
`
`
`the in~ hase sitnei h a first hose deie arnoont (Chet, Fig. 1 end pegs 5: first phese
`
`shifter 13%? it series the phase of i chennei which is the inc-phase ohennei), and
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/131 ,122
`
`Page 7
`
`Art Unit: 2648
`
`etit
`
`
`
`tits the deie‘ ed iri~ h
`
`
`i eat as a first out Lit siehet (Chet, Fig. 1: euteets ihm
`
`phaee sighai he the eemhiher 15th; and
`
`a secehd phase shifter that is eieetrieatiy‘ ceueietj te the third terrninei (Chet, Fig.
`
`
`1 seed eage 5: eeeeriti phase shifter 151%; wherein the second shat-3e shifter receives
`
`the QLE‘i-0i~ hese si nai here the third terminai deia s e hase ef the etit~ef~ he.
`
`
`
`
`
`sighai by: a seated Qhase deia‘g emeunt (Chet, Fig. 1 and hage 5: eeeene phase
`
`shifter 14% variee the hhaee at {It ehahhet eighai which is the eetwet‘whhaee eigeai};
`
`
`
`and out uts the eeie ed eet—et— haee si net as a eeeehe eiit
`
`tit eh riai (Chet, Fig. 1:
`
`
`euteuts etttmetmhhase sighai te the eemhiher 1513),.“
`
`Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the
`
`time the invention was made to implement Choi’s teachings in the coupler of Toshio in
`
`order to properly combine the two phase delayed (or adjusted) l and Q channel for
`
`subsequent quadrature signal processing.
`
`But the eemhinetien ef Teshie and Chei dees het teach that a termination
`
`capacitor that is eieetrieeiiy eeueted to the fetirth terminet and is eieetrieeiiy eeugted ih
`
`paratiei with the termination resistance, wherein the eeeehtzi phase detey erheunt is
`
`target“ then the ~itrgsmt'mehese deiey arnetiht.
`
`Teehiehi, hewever, teaches that “a termiitatien eepeciter that is eiectrieaiiy
`
`eetiggted to the feurth terminet and is eieetrieeiiy eetiggteti ih paraiiet with the termihatteh
`
`resistance (Toshiaki, Fig. 2: a termination capacitor C0 is provided with terminal D
`
`and is connected in parallel with the termination resistance)”
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/131 ,122
`
`Page 8
`
`Art Unit: 2648
`
`Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the
`
`time the invention was made to implement Toshiaki’s teaching in the coupler of Toshio
`
`and Choi in order to correct the impedance (abstract) and reduce the radio signal
`
`reflection for an open terminal that is not properly terminated.
`
`The combination of Toshio, Choi, and Toshiaki does not explicitly teach that
`
`
`
`wherein the second phase deiay amount is target than the first phase detay amount.
`
`However, one of ordinary skill in the art would readily recognize that the phase
`
`delay amount difference between the two phase shifters is not a patentable distinction,
`
`as the phase shifting is relative.
`
`Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the
`
`time the invention was made to incorporate a phase shifting system comprising two
`
`phase shifters in the coupler of Toshio, Choi, and Toshiaki so that the relative phase
`
`delay amount between these two phase shifters meet the requirement. Which phase
`
`delay amount is larger causes no structural difference and merely is a choice.
`
`Regarding claim 8, Toshio further discloses that “The quadrature hybrid coupler
`
`according to claim 1, wherein the fourth shunt capacitor and the termination capacitor
`
`are a common capacitor having a capacitance value larger than that of each of the first,
`
`second and third shunt capacitors (Toshio, Fig. 4: the resistor R is connected in
`
`parallel with only one shunt capacitor, wherein the examiner construes that the
`
`fourth shunt capacitor and the termination capacitor can be a common capacitor.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/131 ,122
`
`Page 9
`
`Art Unit: 2648
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`Further, the structure is disclosed by Toshio and Toshiaki and the value of a
`
`capacitor is a design choice which is not a patentable distinction.)”
`
`Regarding claim 10, Toshio discloses that “A quadrature hybrid coucier
`
`comprising:
`
`a transformer that inciudes a first terminai, a second terminai, a thirci terminai anti
`
`a fourth terminai (Toshio, Fig. 4: transformer Th has four terminals);
`
`a first couoiirtg capacitor that is eiectricaii‘g ooupied to the first terminai anti the
`
`third terrninai (Toshio, Fig. 4: a first coupling capacitor Cc is provided between
`
`terminals l1 and l2);
`
`a second couoiing capacitor that is eiectricaiiy oougied to the eeconci terminai
`
`arid the fourth teririihai (Toshio, Fig. 4: a second coupling capacitor Cc is provided
`
`between terminals l3 and I4);
`
`a first shunt capacitor: a second shunt capacitoiy a third shunt capacitor and a
`
`fourth ehunt capacitor that are respectiveiy eieotricaiiy coueieo to the first iéfmiiiaiq the
`
`second terrriihai, the third terminai anti the fourth terrriirtai (Toshio, Fig. 4: four shunt
`
`capacitors Co are electrically connected to the four terminals);”
`
`But, Teshio does not expiicitiy disciose that a termination resistance that is
`
`eieotricaiiy coueieo to the fourth terminai; a termination capacitor that is eiectrioaiiy‘
`
`ccugiee to the fourth terrriirtai arid is connected in caraiiei with the termination
`
`resistance; a first phase shiiter that is eiectricaii‘g cougied to the second terminat,
`
`wherein the first ghase shifter receives an in~ghase ingot sighai and oeia‘gs a chase of
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/131 ,122
`
`Page 10
`
`Art Unit: 2648
`
`the in~ phase input signai by a first phase deiag arnetrnt; and a second phase shifter that
`
`is eieetricaiiy ceupieti is the third terrnihai, wherein the seeenti phase shifter receives a
`
`Quadrature input signai having a same ampiitude as the inuphase input signai and a
`
`
`haae difference at at} de rees from the in“ hase in at einhai and data 3 the
`
`guaerattire input signai by a seeenti phase tieiay arnotint, wherein the seeend phase
`
`eeiay aiheunt is iarger than the first phase deiay amount, the first and seeend phase
`
`shifters respective}; output the deieyed inuphese input signai and the deiay‘ed
`
`Quadrature input signai to the seeend terminai and the third terrhihai of the trensferrner,
`
`anti the transferrner generates an output signaf by: eenthinihg the deiayet‘i in~phase input
`
`signed and the deiayed Quadrature input sighai and eutptits the safest signai frern the
`
`first terininai at the transfermer,
`
`However, Choi teaches that “a first phase shifter that is; eieetrieaiiy eeupied to the
`
`seeenti terminai (Qhei, Fig. t and page its first phase ehitter wit), wherein the first
`
`phase shifter receives an in~phase input signaf and cieiays a phase at the ih— phase
`
`input signai by a first phase deter; amount iChei, Fig. “i aria page 5: first phase shifter
`
`the, it varies the phase at i ehennei which is the inmphase ehahnei); and
`
`a secend phase shifter that is eieetricaiigyg ceupieri te the third terinihai (Chet, Fig.
`
`‘i and page 5: eeeehei phase shifter tee), wherein the seeend phase shifter receives
`
`a Quadrature input signai having a same empiitude as the inuphase input signai and a
`
`
`haae difference at at} de rees from the ifi'ihfiSfi in. at einhai and data. 3 the
`
`Quadrature input signai by a seeenti phase tieiay arnotint {Cheh Fig. ”i and page 5:
`
`reached phase shifter tat} varies the phase at Q ehanhei signai which is the ehtw
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/131 ,122
`
`Page 11
`
`Art Unit: 2648
`
`et-«phaee eighats wherein {It ohahhet signei ie 9% degree ehaee difference hem t
`
`ohannei eignat},
`
`the first and second ghase shi’r'ters reegeotiveiy output the deiay‘eo ihuphase input
`
`signai (Chet, Fig. “i: outputs in—ehaee eignai te the combiner 15%) and the we
`
`guaara‘ture input sighai to the Second terminat anti the thirct terminat at the transformer
`
`(Choig Fig“ “i: euteute out~ot~phaee eignat to the oomhiner tee), and
`
`the transformer generates an output sighai by combining the deiayeo inughase
`
`ingot sighai and the deiayeo Quadrature ingot signai anti cutouts the outgut signai from
`
`the first terminai of the transformer (Chet, Fig. ”i: combiner tee eomhinee the
`
`eeteyee inehaee attest deteyeoi outuetuphase signatet.”
`
`Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the
`
`time the invention was made to implement Choi’s teachings in the coupler of Toshio in
`
`order to properly combine the two phase delayed (or adjusted) l and Q channel for
`
`subsequent quadrature signal processing.
`
`But, the combination ct Toehio and Chat does not teach that a termination
`
`resistance that is
`
`the fourth terminat; a termination capacitor that
`
`is eiectrioatig coupiet‘i to the fourth ‘terrninai and is connected in paratiei with the
`
`termination resistance; wherein the second phase deiay amount is iarger than the first
`
`phase deiay amount.
`
`Toshiatti, however, teaches that “a termination resistance that is etectricaitg
`
`couptea to the fourth terminat; a termination capacitor that is eiectrioatty eoueied to the
`
`fourth terminat and is connected in paraiiei with the termination resistance (Toshiaki,
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/131 ,122
`
`Page 12
`
`Art Unit: 2648
`
`Fig. 2: a termination capacitor C0 is provided with terminal D and is connected in
`
`parallel with the termination resistance);”
`
`Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the
`
`time the invention was made to implement Toshiaki’s teaching in the coupler of Toshio
`
`and Choi in order to correct the impedance (abstract) and reduce the radio signal
`
`reflection for an open terminal that is not properly terminated.
`
`The combination of Toshio, Choi, and Toshiaki does not explicitly teach that
`
`
`wherein the seeend phase detay ameuht is target than the first phase {tetay amount.
`
`However, one of ordinary skill in the art would readily recognize that the phase
`
`delay amount difference between the two phase shifters is not a patentable distinction,
`
`as the phase shifting is relative.
`
`Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the
`
`time the invention was made to incorporate a phase shifting system comprising two
`
`phase shifters in the coupler of Toshio, Choi, and Toshiaki so that the relative phase
`
`delay amount between these two phase shifters meet the requirement. Which phase
`
`delay amount is larger causes no structural difference and merely is a choice.
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`Regarding claim 15, Toshio further discloses that " wherein the transfehnet
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`generates the eut—ef~phaae Signet by shifting the phase at the input Signet by QC;
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`degrees (Toshio, Fig. 4: terminal l4 outputs a signal of 90 degree relative to the
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`input signal).”
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 14/131 ,122
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`Page 13
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`Art Unit: 2648
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`Regarding claim 16, Choi further teaches that “The quadrature hybrid eeupier
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`aeeerding te eiaini 1. wherein a difference between the aeeend phase deiay ameunt and
`
`the first phase déia‘y’ 83301.1“? {[55 itié‘iiia $3.3";
`
`3‘???
`
`8331?; i..3.2‘-?2§
`
`59:1 :;
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`~3I-I3:;i%‘?3]} {Chflia Fig“ ”i 336
`
`
`page 5: first nhaee shifter 13%, it varies the pnaee et t ehannei which it: the tn»
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`phaee enanneig wherein it ta nenetrtted that varying a ttret nnaee ettitter ta eiearty
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`taught and thus the ditterenee netween the tirat nhaae detay antennt and the
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`eeeend pnaee detay antennt ie ehangedt.“ But, Cnei teaches the etairned inventien
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`except fer the phase difference being ieee than er eqeai te 7’5 degrees.
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`It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the
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`invention was made, to contrive any number of desirable ranges for the above limitation
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`disclosed by Applicant, since it has been held that where the general conditions of a
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`claim are disclosed in the prior art, discovering the optimum or workable ranges
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`involves only routine skill in the art.
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`In re Aller, 105 USPQ 233. Further, it has been
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`held that discovering an optimum value of a result effective variable involves only
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`routine skill in the art.
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`In re Boesch, 617 F.2d 272, 205 USPQ 215 (CCPA 1980). Refer
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`to MPEP § 2144.05.
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`Regarding claim 17, Toshio further discloses that "The quadrature hybrid
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`coupler aeeerding te eiaim 1%., wherein the transfermer traneferrns a Signet by 9%
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`degrees (Toshio, Fig. 4: terminal l4 outputs a signal of 90 degree relative to the
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`input signal).”
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 14/131 ,122
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`Page 14
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`Art Unit: 2648
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`Regarding claim 18, the claim is interpreted and rejected for the same reason
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`as set forth in claim 16 above.
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`2.
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`Claims 2 and 14 are rejected under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being
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`unpatentable over JP 06-284043 (Toshio), KR 2011-0081496 (Choi), and JP 61 -
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`125215 (Toshiaki) in view of US 6046655 (Cipolla) and US 20100182107
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`(Margomenos), and further in view of Examiner’s Official Notice.
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`Regarding claim 2, Toshio, Choi, and Toshiaki disclose the features of claim 1,
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`but do not disclose that wherein the first phase shifter includes a first transmission line
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`electrically coupled to the second terminal and a second transmission line electrically
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`coupled to the first transmission line, the second phase shifter includes a third
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`transmission iine eiestriceli ooti
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`ieoi to the third terminal and a ioorth transmission line
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`
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`electrioaiiy coupled to the third transmission line, a line length of the third transmission
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`line is ionger than a line iength of the first transmission iine. and a iins iength oi the
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`seoond transmission iine is substantiaii seal to a iine ieni th of the fourth transmission
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`However, Cipolla teaches that “the first phase shifter includes a first
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`transmission iine siestrioelig oonpied to the second terminai and a second transmission
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`
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`(Cipolla, Fig-1 and col. 1, lines
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`38-41:
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`depends on the relative phase delays of the transmission lines running
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`between the antenna and the quadrature hybrid) and (Margomenos, Figs. 1A & 1B
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 14/131 ,122
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`Page 15
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`Art Unit: 2648
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`and [0004]: a right angle transmission line bend, for example, turns the direction
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`of energy propagation around 90 degrees, wherein it is construed that a second
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`transmission line is electrically coupled to a first transmission line in order to
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`change the energy propagation direction),
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`the second phase shifter ihciutjss a third transmission iihs sisctricaiiy asugisd ts
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`the third terminai and a fsurtn transmission iihe eiectricaiiy cougied is the third
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`transmission tine (Cipolla, Fig. 1 and col. 1, lines 38-41:
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`depends on the relative
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`phase delays of the transmission lines running between the antenna and the
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`quadrature hybrid) and (Margomenos, Figs. 1A & 1B and [0004]: a right angle
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`transmission line bend, for example, turns the direction of energy propagation
`
`around 90 degrees, wherein it is construed that a fourth transmission line is
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`electrically coupled to a third transmission line in order to change the energy
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`propagation direction).” Cipolla clearly teaches that the transmission lines are running
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`between the antenna and the quadrature hybrid and thus feeding signals to and from a
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`quadrature hybrid is also obvious to a skill artisan in the art.
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`Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the
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`time the invention was made to implement the teachings of Cipolla and Margomenos in
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`the coupler of Toshio and Toshiaki in order to connect radio frequency signals between
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`antenna and modulator/demodulator without signal degradation due to very high
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`frequency.
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`The combination of Toshio and Toshiaki, as modified by Cipolla and
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`Margomenos, does not expressly disclose that a line length of the third transmissisn tine
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 14/131 ,122
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`Page 16
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`Art Unit: 2648
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`is ienger than a tine iength st the first ‘transrnissien tine. and a tine tength at the second
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`transmission iine is substantieiiy egnai to a tine tength oi the teurth transmission tine.
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`Cipolla and Margomenos teach that the transmission line can be used as a
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`phase shifter, but does not expressly teaches that a line length of the second
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`transmission line is longer than a line length of the first transmission line.
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`However, one of ordinary skill in the art would readily recognize that the length of
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`a transmission line is not a patentable distinction, as the phase shifting is relative. It is
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`the relative phase difference between these two transmission lines that matters.
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`Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the
`
`time the invention was made to incorporate a phase shifting system comprising two
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`transmission lines in the coupler of Toshio and Toshiaki, Cipolla, and Margomenos so
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`that the relative phase delays between these two transmission lines meet the
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`requirement. Which transmission line is longer causes no structural difference and
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`merely is a choice.
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`Regarding claim 14, Margomenos further teaches that “The quadrature hybrid
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`eenpie acesrtiing is siairn 2, wherein the first trensntissien tine extends in a first
`
`direction, the secend transmission tine extends in a seeend direction that is
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`perpendicutar to the first directien, the thirst transmission tine extends in a third directien,
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`and the teurth transmission tine extends in a fourth directien that is perpendisuiar te the
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`third nireeiien (Margomenos, Figs. 1A & 5 and [0004]: a right angle transmission
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`line bend, for example, turns the direction of energy propagation around 90
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 14/131 ,122
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`Page 17
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`Art Unit: 2648
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`degrees, wherein it is construed that a first (third) and a second (fourth)
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`transmission lines are perpendicular to each other and in different directions)”
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`3.
`
`Claim 3 is rejected under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over
`
`JP 06-284043 (Toshio), JP 61-125215 (Toshiaki), US 6046655 (Cipolla), US
`
`20100182107 (Margomenos) and Examiner’s Official Notice in view of US
`
`20060109192 (Weigand).
`
`Regarding claim 3, the combination of Toshio and Toshiaki, Cipolla,
`
`Margomenos, and Examiner's Official Notice discloses that features of claim 2, but does
`
`not expressly disclose that The quadrature hybrid coupler according to claim 2, wherein
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`each of the first and second transmission lines is configured using a coplanar
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`transmission line.
`
`However, Weigand teaches that “The quadrature hybrid coupler according to
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`claim 2, wherein each of the first and second transmission lines is configured using a
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`coplanar transmission line (Weigand, [0056]:
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`a pair of coplanar transmission
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`lines separated by gap 9, may be provided
`
`to connect the antenna to a radio
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`front end).”
`
`Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the
`
`time the invention was made to incorporate Weigand’s teaching in the coupler of Toshio
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`and Toshiaki, Cipolla, Margomenos, and Examiner's Official Notice in order to connect
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 14/131 ,122
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`Page 18
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`Art Unit: 2648
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`the antenna to a radio front end that employs differential input/output connections
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`([0056]) in a broadband or very high frequency environment.
`
`4.
`
`Claim 4 is rejected under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over
`
`JP 06-284043 (Toshio), KR 2011-0081496 (Choi), and JP 61-125215 (Toshiaki) in
`
`view of US 20040132487 (Kearns), and further in view of Examiner’s Official Notice.
`
`Regarding claim 4, Toshio, Choi, and Toshiaki disclose the features of claim 1,
`
`but do not expressly disclose that wherein the iirst phase shifter inciudes a first oturaiity
`
`of inductors eiectricaiiy counted to each other in series and to the second tenninei and
`
`a first oiuraiity of shunt capacitors eiectricaiiy cougied to the first Qiuraiity of inductors
`
`the second hase shifter inciudes a second iuraiit ' of inductors eiectriceii‘ cou ”tied to
`
`each other in series and to the third terminai and a second iuraiit oi shuht ca acitors
`
`
`
`
`
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`eiectricaiiy coasted to the second ciureiitig of inductors. and a capacitance vaiue of
`
`the second Qiuraiity oi shunt capacitors is iarger than e capacitance vaiue oi the first
`
`giuraiit‘g of shunt capacitors.
`
`However, Ke