Appeal No. 2006-0406
Application 09/497,865
beams using two-dimensional FFT from which comparators are used
to select the four strongest beams which are adaptively processed
and weighted to produce a single output signal (pp. 37-38;
Fig. 14). Thus, Chiba discloses "circuitry for forming multiple
digital beams," as recited in claim 1, but Chiba uses parallel
processing and, thus, does not have "coded element signals" or a
"digital bit stream" (a serial stream). Chiba teaches the
advantages of DBF and teaches selecting the strongest four beams
and we agree with the examiner that Chiba would have suggested
using DBF for the circuitry in the azimuth mounted antenna in
Karlsson. The fact that Chiba appears to show the antenna
mounted horizontally on the roof of the van is further suggestion
to combine. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill
in the art to select a single strongest signal instead of four
and Chiba discloses "selecting the beam with the maximum
receiving power" (p. 32). However, Chiba discusses only
satellite signal reception (e.g., p. 39) and not transmission.
Appellants argue that Chiba fails to teach retrodirectivity (Br5)
and this is true since it does not teach transmission. Although
it seems that the strongest signals would be used to determine
the elements for transmission since real satellite communication
systems do more than receive, this is not taught and we do not
have sufficient evidence of knowledge of those of ordinary skill
in the art to make such a finding.
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