UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and TrademarkOffice
`Address; COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`www.uspto.gov
`
`16/052,623
`
`08/02/2018
`
`Manli Zhu
`
`CreativeTech_01RECon
`
`5388
`
`m
`
`“em
`
`Ashok Tankha
`36 Greenleigh drive
`Sewell, NJ 08080
`
`ESCALANTE,OVIDIO
`
`3992
`
`01/29/2020
`
`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)
`
`

`

`Application No.
`Applicant(s)
`16/052,623
`Zhu etal.
`
`Office Action Summary Art Unit|AIA (FITF) StatusExaminer
`OVIDIO ESCALANTE
`3992
`No
`
`
`
`-- 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 1/3/2020.
`LC} A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/werefiled on
`2a)l¥) This action is FINAL.
`2b) (J This action is non-final.
`3) 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\(Z 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.
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`26-45 is/are pending in the application.
`)
`Claim(s)
`5a) Of the above claim(s) ___ is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`CC) Claim(s)
`is/are allowed.
`Claim(s) 26-45 is/are rejected.
`OO Claim(s)__is/are objectedto.
`CC) 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)0) The drawing(s) filedon__ 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)0) Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d)or (f).
`Certified copies:
`c)X None ofthe:
`b)L) Some**
`a)L) All
`1... Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2.1.) Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No.
`3.1.) 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) ([] Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`
`Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)
`2)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date 1/3/2020.
`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 20200109
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/052,623
`Art Unit: 3992
`
`Page 2
`
`DETAILED ACTION
`
`Reissue Applications
`
`1. For reissue applications filed before September 16, 2012, allreferences to 35 U.S.C. 251 and 37 CFR
`
`1.172, 1.175, and 3.73 are to the law and rules in effect on September 15, 2012. Where specifically
`
`designated, these are “pre- AIA”provisions.
`
`Forreissue applicationsfiled on or after September 16, 2012, all references to 35 U.S.C. 251 and
`
`37 CFR 1.172, 1.175, and 3.73 are to the current provisions.
`
`2.
`
`Applicant is reminded of the continuing obligation under 37 CFR 1.178(b), to timely apprise the
`
`Office of any prior or concurrent proceeding in which Patent No. 8,861,756 is or was involved. These
`
`proceedings would includeinterferences, reissues, reexaminations, andlitigation.
`
`Applicant is further reminded of the continuing obligation under 37 CFR 1.56, to timely apprise
`
`the Office of any information which is material to patentability of the claims under considerationin this
`
`reissue application.
`
`These obligations rest with each individual associated with the filing and prosecution ofthis
`
`application for reissue. See also MPEP §§ 1404, 1442.01 and 1442.04.
`
`Reissue Declaration
`
`Response to Arguments
`
`With respect to the corrected reissued declaration filed on January 3, 2020, the examiner notes
`
`that although the Applicant hasidentified a claim and specific claim language, the Applicant has not
`
`shown how the corrected claims are broadened with respect to the original claims. That is, referring to
`
`“echo cancellation unit” not bemg included in the original claim is considered a narrowinglimitation.
`
`Since the instant application is a broadening reissue, the Applicant must identified a limitation that was
`
`broadenedrelative to the original patent as well as ensuring that the error statement was notcorrected by
`
`an earlier reissue. In addition, the error statement should be directed to claim languagerelative to the
`
`underlying patent. The current error statement references the parent reissue application.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/052,623
`Art Unit: 3992
`
`Page 3
`
`The examiner suggest adding an additional statement whichidentifies an original claim limitation
`
`that was broadened. Reference can be madeto any of the new independentclaims whichis broader than
`
`any original patent claim of the underlying patentat issue..
`
`Reissue Declaration
`
`3.
`
`Thereissue oath/dec aration filed with this application is defective (see 37 CFR 1.175 and MPEP
`
`§ 1414) because of the following:
`
`As per MPEP 1414(ID), any error in the claims must be identified by reference to the specific
`
`claim(s) and the specific claim language wherein lies the error.
`
`The examiner notes that the Applicant correctly identifies original claim 1. However, the error
`
`statement does not identify the specific claim language in original claim | wherein lies the error. Thatis,
`
`reference to “echo cancellation unit” is considered a narrowing limitation since it was notin original
`
`claim 1. Since the instantreissue is a broadeningreissue application, Applicant must identify the language
`
`in original claim 1, that the applicant seeks to broaden.
`
`The examiner recommendsleaving the statement regarding “echo cancellation”in the statement
`
`butto also add an original claim limitation (from claim 1) that was broadened.
`
`4.
`
`Claims 26-45 are rejected as being based upon a defective reissue declaration under 35 U.S.C.
`
`251 as set forth above. See 37 CFR 1.175.
`
`The nature of the defect(s) in the declaration is set forth in the discussion abovein this Office
`
`action.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`5.
`
`In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and
`
`103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis for
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/052,623
`Art Unit: 3992
`
`Page 4
`
`the rejection will not be considered a new groundofrejection if the prior art relied upon,and the rationale
`
`supporting the rejection, would be the same undereitherstatus.
`
`The following is a quotation of pre- AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) which formsthe basis forall
`
`obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
`
`(a) A patent may not be obtained though the inventionis not identically disclosed or described as set
`forthin section 102, 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 obviousat the time the invention was made
`toa 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.
`
`The factual inquiries set forth in Graham v. John Deere Co., 383 U.S. 1, 148 USPQ 459 (1966),
`
`that are applied for establishing a background for determining obviousness under pre- AIA 35 U.S.C.
`
`103(a) are summarizedas follows:
`
`1. Determining the scope and contents ofthe priorart.
`
`2. Ascertaining the differences betweenthe priorart and the claimsatissue.
`
`3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinentart.
`
`4. Considering objective evidence presentin the application indicating obviousness or
`
`nonobviousness.
`
`6.
`
`Claims 26, 32, 34, 41-45 is/are rejected under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable
`
`over Li et al., A Portable USB-Based Microphone Array Device For Robust Speech Recognition in view
`
`of Erten U.S. Patent 6,236,862.
`
`Regarding claim 26:
`
`A methodfor enhancing a target soundsignal froma plurality of sound signals, comprising:
`
`Li discloses a microphonearray which is used for both sound source location and speech
`
`enhancement(See 1. Introduction, 1‘ paragraph). See also Figure 4 which showsthat the sound from the
`
`front of the microphonearray are enhanced.
`
`providing a microphone array system comprising an array of sound sensors positioned in a
`
`linear, circular, or other configuration,
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/052,623
`Art Unit: 3992
`
`Page5S
`
`See below figures 2 and 3. As detailed in Figure 3 a linear microphone (soundsensors) arrayis
`
`shown.See also section 2. Broadband Beamforming (2" paragraph).
`
`%a
`
`SRG
`
`a
`
` CRIPTION Sererenemn
`
`a soundsourcelocalization unit, an adaptive beamforming unit, a noise reduction unit, and
`
`an echo cancellation unit, wherein said sound sourcelocalization unit, said adaptive beamforming
`
`unit, said noise reduction unit, and said echo cancellation unit are implementedin a digital signal
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/052,623
`Art Unit: 3992
`
`Page 6
`
`processor, and wherein said digital signal processor is in operative communication with said array
`
`of said sound sensors;
`
`See above Figure 2 which shows the hardware structure including a beamforming unit and noise
`
`reduction unit within the DSP. As per, sound source, as set forth in section |. Introduction, 1“ paragraph,
`
`the array is used for sound sourcelocation. In addition, in section 2. Broadband Beamforming, Li
`
`discloses the linear microphone array configuration includes sound source determination.
`
`As per echo cancellation, Li does not specifically disclose an echo cancellation unit.
`
`Nonetheless, Erten discloses that it was known to have signal processing techniques which
`
`include noise and/or echo cancellation. See col. 7, mes 10-18
`
`Therefore, it would have been obviousto one of ordinary skill in the art to include echo
`
`cancellation within the digital signal processor. As explained by Erten, including echo cancellation will
`
`reduce the effect of the irrelevant or undesired signal sources effects to a minimum.As set forth within
`
`the teachings of Li, reducing undesired signals is already within the scope by wayofits teachings directed
`
`to reducing noise. As set forth in the Abstract, Li desires to develop a microphonearray device that
`
`deliver a crisp, clear, and noise-reduced speech signal. Therefore, one of ordinary skillin the art would
`
`have looked to additional methods to deliver a crisp, clear, and noise-reduced speechsignal.
`
`receiving said sound signals from a plurality of disparate sound sources by said sound
`
`sensors, wherein said received soundsignals comprise said target soundsignal from a target sound
`
`source amongsaid disparate sound sources, and ambientnoise signals;
`
`As discussed in section 5, sound signals are received from anartificial mouth along with back
`
`ground noise from surround loudspeakers.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/052,623
`Art Unit: 3992
`
`Page 7
`
`See also Experiment2 in Section 5, which discloses of having ambientnoise signals.
`
`determining a delay between each of said sound sensors and an origin of said array of said
`
` Fire 6. £
`In section 2. Broadband Beamforming, Li discloses a linear microphonearray configuration
`
`sound sensorsas a function of distance between each of said sound sensors andsaid origin,
`
`As shown in the above description, delay is measured using distance (da). In addition, the
`
`different between the center of the array (origin of said array) and the n" microphoneis part of the
`
`function for the determined delay.
`
`a predefined angle between each of said sound sensors and a reference axis, and
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/052,623
`Art Unit: 3992
`
`Page 8
`
`As shown in section 2, Liconsidered a predefined angle with respect microphone (sound sensor)
`
`and the center of the array (referenceaxis)
`
`
`
`The examiner notes that Li discloses determining the difference between the signal received by
`
`the nth microphonex, and the center of the array is a pure delay. That is the centerof the array is
`
`consideredto be the “reference axis”.
`
`an azimuth angle betweensaid reference axis and said target soundsignal,
`
`
`
`

`

`Page9
`
`16/052,623
`
`Application/Control Number
`3992
`
`Art Uni
`
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/052,623
`Art Unit: 3992
`
`Page 10
`
`when said target sound source that emits said target sound signal is in a two dimensional
`
`plane, wherein said delay is represented in terms of number of samples, and wherein said
`
`determination of said delay enables beamformingfor said array of said soundsensorsin a plurality
`
`of configurations;
`
`=
`
`&
`
`t;
`$8
`
`trevty Eee
`
`As set forth in section 5, Li discloses the signals is processed by beamforming. In addition, the
`
`number of samplesis included in the formula that is used to determine delay as shown above.
`
`estimating a location of said target sound signal from said received sound signals by said
`
`sound source localization unit;
`
`As set forth in 1. Introduction, the microphonearray is used for sound sourcelocation.
`
`performing adaptive beamformingfor steering a directivity pattern of said array of said
`
`soundsensorsin a direction of said location of said target sound signal by said adaptive
`
`beamforming unit, wherein said adaptive beamforming unit enhances said target sound signal and
`
`partially suppresses said ambientnoise signals;
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/052,623
`Art Unit: 3992
`
`Page 11
`
`As set forth in the abstract, Li discloses of an adaptive noise reduction algorithm that is used to
`
`further reduce the backgroundnoise. In section 2. System Description, Li discloses “t]he beamforming
`
`algorithm combines the 4 channels of speed into one channel and then a noise reduction algorithm is
`
`applied to further reduce the backgroundnoise.”
`
`See also Section 3. Noise Reduction which specifically described the adaptive noise reduction
`
`algorithm as well as section 5. ASR Experimental Results.
`
`Li does not specifically provides details with respect to performing adaptive beamforming for
`
`steering a directivity pattern of said array of sound sensors. However, the examinernotesthatit would
`
`have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art that Li would provide adaptive beamforming for
`
`steering since Li does disclose of performing beamforming which would entail to those of ordinary skill
`
`in the art to encompass steering a directivity pattern.
`
`Nonetheless, Erten in col. 17, limes 18-30 and col. 19, lines 31-45) discloses of an adapted
`
`beamforming method.
`
`As set forth in col. 18, lines 57-66-col. 19, lines 6, Erten discloses “For instance, a far more
`
`accurate localization can be obtained by simultaneous execution of beamformation and signal separation,
`
`followed by comparison ofthe localized signals or their appropriate characteristics. Feedback from this
`
`comparison could be used to steer the beam and to update the adapting parameters of the dynamic signal
`
`separation network.”
`
`Therefore, it would have been obviousto one of ordinary skill in the art to perform adaptive
`
`beamforming in order to enhance the signal-to-noise ration land achieve high bit-rate communication. As
`
`explained by Erten, “In the existing art, one observes that beamformingorits adaptive counterpartis used
`
`for interferer rejection. A beamformeris a processor used in conjunction with an array of sensors to
`
`provide a form ofspatial filtering. The objective of an adaptive beamformer (ABF)is to perform spatial
`
`filtering to separate signals that have overlapping frequency content butoriginate from different spatial
`
`locations. In a noisy wireless environment, an ABF adapts the main beam of an antenna array towards the
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/052,623
`Art Unit: 3992
`
`Page 12
`
`direction of a target source andplacesnulls of the array pattern in the direction of interferers and other
`
`users.”
`
`performing echo cancellation by said echo cancellation unit for further enhancing said
`
`target soundsignal; and
`
`Erten discloses that it was known to have signal processing techniques which include noise and/or
`
`echo cancellation. See col. 7, lines 10-18
`
`As set forth above, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to include echo
`
`cancellation within the digital signal processor. As explained by Erten, including echo cancellation will
`
`reduce the effect of the irrelevant or undesired signal sources effects to a minimum.
`
`suppressing said ambientnoise signals by said noise reduction unit for further enhancing
`
`said target soundsignal.
`
`As set forth in the abstract, Li discloses of an adaptive noise reduction algorithm that is used to
`
`further reduce the backgroundnoise. In section 2. System Description, Li discloses “[t]he beamforming
`
`algorithm combines the 4 channels of speed into one channel and then a noise reduction algorithm is
`
`applied to further reduce the backgroundnoise.”
`
`See also Section 3. Noise Reduction which specifically described the adaptive noise reduction
`
`algorithm as well as section 5. ASR Experimental Results.
`
`Regarding claim 32:
`
`The method of claim 26, wherein said noise reduction unit performs noise reduction by
`
`using one of a Wiener-filter based noise reduction algorithm, a spectral subtraction noise reduction
`
`algorithm, an auditory transform basednoise reduction algorithm, and a model based noise
`
`reduction algorithm.
`
`Li discloses of using a Weiner-filter based noise reduction algorithm as set forth in Section 3.
`
`Noise Reduction.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/052,623
`Art Unit: 3992
`
`Page 13
`
`Regarding claim 34:
`
`A microphonearray system for enhancing a target sound signal from a plurality of sound
`
`signals, comprising:
`
`Li discloses a microphonearray whichis used for both sound source location and speech enhancement
`
`(See 1. Introduction, 1‘ paragraph). See also Figure 4 which showsthat the sound from the front of the
`
`microphonearray are enhanced.
`
`an array of sound sensorspositionedin a linear, circular, or other configuration,
`
`See below figures 2 and 3. As detailed in Figure 3 a linear microphone (soundsensors) arrayis
`
`shown.See also section 2. Broadband Beamforming (2" paragraph).
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
` EPPAAIERRSPaes
`|. aie {
`
`
`
`geeresrenreseens
`
` GorencnnerEe
`
`val
`
`SAIIIS
`
`ORE
`
`
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/052,623
`Art Unit: 3992
`
`Page 14
`
`
`
`wherein said soundsensorsreceive said soundsignals from a plurality of disparate sound sources,
`
`wherein said received sound signals comprise said target sound signal from a target sound source
`
`amongsaid disparate sound sources, and ambientnoise signals;
`
`As discussedin section 5, sound signals are received from anartificial mouth along with back
`
`ground noise from surround loudspeakers.
`
` BRigure 6:
`
`See also Experiment 2 in Section 5, which discloses of having ambient noise signals
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/052,623
`Art Unit: 3992
`
`Page 15
`
`a digital signal processor, said digital signal processor comprising:
`
`a sound source localization unit that estimates a location of said target sound signal from
`
`said received soundsignals, by determining a delay between each of said sound sensors and an
`
`origin of said array of said sound sensorsas a function of distance between each of said sound
`
`sensors andsaid origin,
`
`nsection 2. Broadband Beamforming, Li discloses a linear microphonearray configuration
`
`As shown in the above description, delay is measured using distance (da). In addition, the
`
`different between the center of the array (origin of said array) and the n' microphoneis part of the
`
`function for the determined delay.
`
`a predefined angle between each of said sound sensors and a reference axis, and
`
`As shown in section 2, Liconsidered a predefined angle with respect microphone (sound sensor)
`
`and the center of the array (referenceaxis)
`
`

`

`Page 16
`
`Application/Control Number: 16/052,623
`
`Art Unit: 3992
`
`The examiner notes that Li discloses determining the difference betweenthe signal received by
`
`the nth microphonex, and the center of the array is a pure delay. That is the centerof the array is
`
`considered to be the “reference axis”.
`
`an azimuth angle betweensaid reference axis and said target soundsignal,
`
`
`
`

`

`Page 17
`
`Application/Control Number: 16/052,623
`Art Unit: 3992
`
`
`
`sagen
`yigare
`
`when said target sound source that emits sa
`
`i
`
`d target sounds
`
`ign
`
`al
`
`isina
`
`two
`
`dimensional
`
`plane, where
`
`
`
`ted in terms of number of samples,in said delay is represen
`
`and where
`
`insai
`
`determination of said delay enables beamform
`
`ing
`
`for said
`
`array of sound sensorsin a plurality of
`
`.9
`
`configurations
`
`
`
`

`

`Page 18
`
`Application/Control Number: 16/052,623
`Art Unit: 3992
`
`
`
`As set forth in section 5, Li discloses the signals is processed by beamforming. In addition, the
`
`number of samples is included in the formula that is used to determine delay as shown above.
`
`an adaptive beamforming unit that steers directivity pattern of said array of said sound
`
`sensorsin a direction of said location of said target sound signal, wherein said adaptive
`
`beamforming unit enhances said target sound signal and partially suppresses said ambient noise
`
`signals;
`
`As set forth in the abstract, Li discloses of an adaptive noise reduction algorithm that is used to
`
`further reduce the backgroundnoise. In section 2. System Description, Li discloses “t]he beamforming
`
`algorithm combines the 4 channels of speed into one channel and then a noise reduction algorithm is
`
`applied to further reduce the backgroundnoise.”
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/052,623
`Art Unit: 3992
`
`Page 19
`
`See also Section 3. Noise Reduction which specifically described the adaptive noise reduction
`
`algorithm as well as section 5. ASR Experimental Results.
`
`Li does not specifically provides details with respect to performing adaptive beamforming for
`
`steering a directivity pattern of said array of sound sensors. However, the examiner notesthat it would
`
`have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art that Li would provide adaptive beamforming for
`
`steering since Li does disclose of performing beamforming which would entail to those of ordinary skill
`
`in the art to encompass steering a directivity pattern.
`
`Nonetheless, Erten in col. 17, lines 18-30 and col. 19, lines 31-45) discloses of an adapted
`
`beamforming method.
`
`As set forth in col. 18, lines 57-66-col. 19, lines 6, Erten discloses “For instance, a far more
`
`accurate localization can be obtained by simultaneous execution of beamformation andsignal separation,
`
`followed by comparisonofthe localized signals or their appropriate characteristics. Feedback from this
`
`comparison could be used to steer the beam and to update the adapting parameters of the dynamic signal
`
`separation network.”
`
`Therefore, it would have been obviousto one of ordinary skill in the art to perform adaptive
`
`beamforming in order to enhance the signal-to-noise ration land achieve high bit-rate communication. As
`
`explained by Erten, “In the existing art, one observes that beamformingorits adaptive counterpartis used
`
`for interferer rejection. A beamformeris a processor used in conjunction with an array of sensors to
`
`provide a form ofspatial filtering. The objective of an adaptive beamformer (ABF)is to perform spatial
`
`filtering to separate signals that have overlapping frequency contentbut originate from different spatial
`
`locations. In a noisy wireless environment, an ABF adapts the main beam of an antenna array towards the
`
`direction of a target source andplacesnulls of the array pattern in the direction of interferers and other
`
`users.”
`
`an echocancellation unit that performs echo cancellation for further enhancing said target
`
`sound signal; and
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/052,623
`Art Unit: 3992
`
`Page 20
`
`Erten discloses that it was known to have signal processing techniques which include noise and/or
`
`echo cancellation. See col. 7, lines 10-18
`
`As set forth above, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to include echo
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`cancellation within the digital signal processor. As explained by Erten, including echo cancellation will
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`reduce the effect of the irrelevant or undesired signal sources effects to a minimum.
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`a noise reduction unit that suppresses said ambientnoise signals for further enhancing said
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`target soundsignal.
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`As set forth in the abstract, Li discloses of an adaptive noise reduction algorithm that is used to
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`further reduce the backgroundnoise. In section 2. System Description, Li discloses “[t]he beamforming
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`algorithm combines the 4 channels of speed into one channel and then a noise reduction algorithm is
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`applied to further reduce the backgroundnoise.”
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`See also Section 3. Noise Reduction which specifically described the adaptive noise reduction
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`algorithm as well as section 5. ASR Experimental Results.
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`Regarding claim 41:
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`The system of claim 34, further comprising one or more audio codecs
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`that convert said sound signals in an analog form of said soundsignals into digital sound
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`signals and reconverts said digital sound signals into said analog form of said sound
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`signals.
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`See section 2. System Description of Li which discloses converting analog signals to digital. See
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`also Erten which disclosesdigital to analog conversion.
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`Regarding claim 42:
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`A microphone array system for enhancing a target sound signal from a
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`plurality of sound signals, comprising:
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/052,623
`Art Unit: 3992
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`Page 21
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`Li discloses a microphone array which is used for both sound source location and speech
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`enhancement(See 1. Introduction, 1‘ paragraph). See also Figure 4 which showsthat the sound from the
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`front of the microphonearray are enhanced.
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`an array of sound sensors, wherein said soundsensors receive said sound signals from a
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`plurality of disparate sound sources, wherein said received sound signals comprise said target
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`sound signal from a target sound source amongsaid disparate sound sources, and ambient noise
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`signals;
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`See below figures 2 and 3. As detailed in Figure 3 a linear microphone (sound sensors) array is
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`shown.See also section 2. Broadband Beamforming (2"4 paragraph).
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`SCRIPTION it{{{iLALDDILLDIL
`Ss ESSE
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/052,623
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`Page 22
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`Art Unit: 3992
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`As discussed in section 5, sound signals are received from an artificial mouth along with back
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`ground noise from surround loudspeakers.
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`See also Experiment2 in Section 5, which discloses of having ambientnoise signals.
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`a digital signal processor, said digital signal processor comprising:
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`See above Figure 2 which shows the hardware structure including a beamforming unit and noise
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`reduction unit within the DSP. As per, sound source,as set forth in section 1. Introduction, 1* paragraph,
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`the array is used for sound sourcelocation. In addition, in section 2. Broadband Beamforming, Li
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`discloses the linear microphone array configuration includes sound source determination.
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/052,623
`Art Unit: 3992
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`Page 23
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`a sound source localization unit that estimates a location of said target sound signal from
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`said received soundsignals by determining a delay between each of said sound sensors and a
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`reference point of said array of said sound sensorsas a function of distance between each of said
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`soundsensorsandsaid reference point and an angle of each of said soundsensorsbiased from a
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`reference axis;
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`In section 2. Broadband Beamforming, Li discloses a linear microphonearray configuration
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`As shown in the abovedescription, delay is measured using distance (dn). In addition, the
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`different betweenthe center of the array (origin of said array) and the n'" microphoneis part of the
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`function for the determined delay.
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`As shown in section 2, Liconsidered a predefined angle with respect microphone (sound sensor)
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`and the center of the array (reference axis)
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`

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`Page 24
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`Application/Control Number: 16/052,623
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`Art Unit: 3992
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`The examiner notes that Li discloses determining the difference betweenthe signal received by
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`the nth microphonex, and the center of the array is a pure delay. That is the centerof the array is
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`considered to be the “reference axis”.
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`a beamforming unit that enhances said target sound signal and partially suppresses said
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`ambient noise signals;
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`As set forth in the abstract, Li discloses of an adaptive noise reduction algorithm that is used to
`
`further reduce the backgroundnoise.In section 2. System Description, Li discloses “[t]he beamforming
`
`algorithm combines the 4 channels of speed into one channel and then a noise reduction algorithm is
`
`applied to further reduce the backgroundnoise.”
`
`See also Section 3. Noise Reduction which specifically described the adaptive noise reduction
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`algorithm as well as section 5. ASR Experimental Results.
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`an echo cancellation unit that performsecho cancellation and further enhancessaid target
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`sound signal; and
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`As per echo cancellation, Li does not specifically disclose an echo cancellation untt.
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/052,623
`Art Unit: 3992
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`Page 25
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`Nonetheless, Erten discloses that it was known to have signal processing techniques which
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`include noise and/or echo cancellation. See col. 7, mes 10-18
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`Therefore, it would have been obviousto one of ordinary skill in the art to include echo
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`cancellation within the digital signal processor. As explained by Erten, including echo cancellation will
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`reduce the effect of the irrelevant or undesired signal sources effects to a mmimum. As set forth within
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`the teachings of Li, reducing undesired signals is already within the scope by wayofits teachings directed
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`to reducing noise. As set forth in the Abstract, Li desires to develop a microphonearray device that
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`deliver a crisp, clear, and noise-reduced speech signal. Therefore, one of ordinary skillin the art would
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`have looked to additional methodsto deliver a crisp, clear, and noise-reduced speechsignal.
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`a noise reduction unit that suppresses said ambient noise signals and
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`further enhancessaid target sound signal.
`
`As set forth in the abstract, Li discloses of an adaptive noise reduction algorithm that is used to
`
`further reduce the backgroundnoise. In section 2. System Description, Li discloses “[t]he beamforming
`
`algorithm combines the 4 channels of speed into one channel and then a noise reduction algorithm is
`
`applied to further reduce the backgroundnoise.”
`
`See also Section 3. Noise Reduction which specifically described the adaptive noise reduction
`
`algorithm as well as section 5. ASR Experimental Results.
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`Regarding claim 43:
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`The system of claim 42, wherein said microphonearray system is implementedin one of
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`devices with speech acquisition capability, hands-free devices, handheld devices, conference phones
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`and video conferencing applications, wherein said handheld devices comprise smart phones, tablet
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`computers and laptop computers, and wherein said array of said sound sensorsis oneof a linear
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`array of said sound sensors, a circular array of said soundsensors, and othert