Office Action 1: Non-Final Rejection (2025-05-08)
Rejection types: 102 - Lack of Novelty, 103 - Obviousness, 112 - Written Description/Enablement

CLAIMS:
Claims:

1\. Lighting system comprising a mounting rail assembly comprising mechanical mounting fixtures for lighting modules, other system modules and/or lighting control modules, anda first wireless node module attached to the mounting rail assembly;
characterized in that the mounting rail assembly comprises at least one second wireless node module attached to the mounting rail assembly, and the mounting rail assembly comprises a waveguide configured to guide wireless signals between the first wireless node module and the at least one second wireless node module.

2\. The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the waveguide is provided integrally with the mounting rail assembly.

3\. The lighting system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the waveguide includes at least one detachable element configured to be provided separate from the mounting rail assembly.

4\. The lighting system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the waveguide includes at least one detachable element configured to be provided separate from the mounting rail assembly,
wherein the at least one detachable element is essentially planar and configured to be inserted into an interior of the mounting rail assembly for forming the waveguide in combination with lateral wall sections of the mounting rail assembly.

5\. The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the waveguide is configured to include at least two detachable elements configured to be attached an outer wall of the mounting rail assembly.

6\. The lighting system according to claim 5, wherein the waveguide includes holes configured to pass pendant cords hanging the mounting rail below a ceiling.

7\. The lighting system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting rail assembly has an essentially U-shaped cross section.

8\. The lighting system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the waveguide comprises at least one termination element arranged at an end portion of the waveguide, wherein the at least one termination element is configured to attenuate electromagnetic waves.

9\. The lighting system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the waveguide comprises at least one pre-fabricated aperture for electromagnetically connecting the first wireless node module and the at least one second wireless node module arranged at the waveguide.

10\. The lighting system according to claim 9, wherein the at least one aperture measures into at least one dimension half a wavelength of the wireless signals.

11\. The lighting system according to one of claims 9 or 10, wherein the first wireless node module and the at least one second wireless node module each comprise at least one antenna, wherein the at least one antenna is located essentially at the aperture of the waveguide for radiating and receiving at least a portion of the wireless signals through the aperture into the waveguide.

12\. The lighting system according to one of claims 9 to 11, wherein at least one of the first wireless node module and the at least one second wireless node module comprises an antenna array,
wherein at least one first antenna element of the antenna array is configured to transmit and to receive wireless signals though the aperture into the waveguide, and the at least one second antenna element is configured to transmit and the wireless signals from predetermined directions in the environment of the mounting rail assembly.

OFFICE ACTION:
Notice of Pre-AIA  or AIA  Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b)  CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claim 6 rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA  35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Re 6: the claim is awkwardly phrased making it unclear what the structure is doing. The way it is written it makes it seem like the holes pass pendant cords, and it is the holes that hang the mounting rail below a ceiling, when it would be the cords doing so. This unclear language renders the claim indefinite. Examiner reads the claim as: “wherein the mounting rail is configured to be suspended from a ceiling.”
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 made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(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.
Claims 1-7 and 9-12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Block EP3700306A1 (“Block”).
Re 1: Block teaches:
a mounting rail assembly comprising mechanical mounting fixtures for lighting modules (Figs. 2: luminaires 12 shown mounted to mounting rail), other system modules and/or lighting control modules, and
a first wireless node module 15 attached to the mounting rail assembly (Fig. 2);
wherein the mounting rail assembly comprises at least one second wireless node 22 module attached to the mounting rail assembly (Fig. 2), and
the mounting rail assembly comprises a waveguide 1 configured to guide wireless signals between the first wireless node module and the at least one second wireless node module (Fig. 2; “The first light band 1 includes a transmitter 15 that emits a radio signal into the waveguide 14 of the first light band 1.”).
Re 2: wherein the waveguide is provided integrally with the mounting rail assembly (Fig. 2).
Re 3: wherein the waveguide includes at least one detachable element configured to be provided separate from the mounting rail assembly (¶9: waveguide has a metal tube that can be inserted into the mounting rail assembly).
Re 4: wherein the waveguide includes at least one detachable element configured to be provided separate from the mounting rail assembly, wherein the at least one detachable element is essentially planar and configured to be inserted into an interior of the mounting rail assembly for forming the waveguide in combination with lateral wall sections of the mounting rail assembly (¶9: waveguide is integrated into the mounting rail assembly, has a rectangular cross section making it essentially planar, and is held in place by the mounting rail assembly for forming the waveguide and maintaining it structurally).
Re 5: wherein the waveguide is configured to include at least two detachable elements configured to be attached an outer wall of the mounting rail assembly (Fig. 2: luminaires are detachable and are attached to an outer wall of the mounting rail assembly).
Re 6: (as best understood by Examiner) wherein the waveguide includes holes configured to pass pendant cords hanging the mounting rail below a ceiling (Fig. 2).
Re 7: wherein the mounting rail assembly has an essentially U-shaped cross section (Fig. 2: the lateral and bottom walls make a U-shape).
Re 9: wherein the waveguide comprises at least one pre-fabricated aperture for electromagnetically connecting the first wireless node module and the at least one second wireless node module arranged at the waveguide (Fig. 2: both are placed within the aperture).
Re 10: wherein the at least one aperture measures into at least one dimension half a wavelength of the wireless signals (Fig. 2).
Re 11: wherein the first wireless node module and the at least one second wireless node module each comprise at least one antenna, wherein the at least one antenna is located essentially at the aperture of the waveguide for radiating and receiving at least a portion of the wireless signals through the aperture into the waveguide (Fig. 2: they emit radio signals each of them so they have an antenna).
Re 12: wherein at least one of the first wireless node module and the at least one second wireless node module comprises an antenna array, wherein at least one first antenna element of the antenna array is configured to transmit and to receive wireless signals though the aperture into the waveguide, and the at least one second antenna element is configured to transmit and the wireless signals from predetermined directions in the environment of the mounting rail assembly (Fig. 2: this discusses how 15 and 22 work, where 15 emits a signal via its antenna element and 22 repeats said signal by receiving it on its antenna and thereby repeating it).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention 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 manner in which the invention was made.
Claim 8 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Block in view of Mills WO2021004981A1 (“Mills”).
Re 8: Block does not explicitly teach wherein the waveguide comprises at least one termination element arranged at an end portion of the waveguide, wherein the at least one termination element is configured to attenuate electromagnetic waves.
Mills teaches wherein the waveguide comprises at least one termination element 130 arranged at an end portion of the waveguide, wherein the at least one termination element is configured to attenuate electromagnetic waves.
Including a termination element can help attenuate reflection of waves which could interfere with the EM signals being sent to command the various modules, thereby increasing the fidelity of the system.
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, at the time of effective filing, to modify Block with Mills’ teachings in order to increase the fidelity of the system.
Conclusion
Relevant prior art considered: US 10578689 teaching a system for wireless transmission of signals through a Faraday cage.


NEXT OFFICE ACTION: Notice of Pre-AIA  or AIA  Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1, 5-10, and 13-15 have been allowed.
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance. In combination with the other limitations nothing in the prior art of record teaches, suggests, or discloses:
Re 1, 5-10, and 13-15: in claim 1, “wherein the waveguide has a first aperture at a first location on the waveguide and a second aperture at a second location on the waveguide, the first wireless module is mounted externally to the waveguide such that at least a portion of the wireless signal transmitted and/or received by the first antenna or first antenna array is coupled out or coupled into the waveguide via the first aperture, and the second wireless module is mounted externally to the waveguide such that at least a portion of the wireless signal transmitted and/or received by the second antenna or second antenna array s is coupled out or coupled into the waveguide via the second aperture: and further wherein the waveguide is a closed electromagnetic waveguide between the first wireless node module and the second wireless node module.”
The amendment to claim 1, requiring that the waveguide be a closed electromagnetic waveguide between the first wireless module and the second wireless module, distinguishes over the Block reference. Further, the transmitter 15 and the repeater 22 in the Block reference are located within the waveguide, which is different from being mounted externally to the waveguide as described in amended claim 1.
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee.  Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”
Conclusion
Relevant prior art considered: US 7606592 teaching a waveguide-based wireless distribution system.

CITED REFERENCE SUMMARIES: Ref US10578689B2: Claims:
A wireless communication system for communicating through a waveguide port of a Faraday cage, the wireless communications system comprising: one or more internal wireless communication devices located within the Faraday cage, and one or more external wireless communication devices located external to the Faraday cage, wherein said one or more internal wireless communication devices and said one or more external wireless communication devices are configured for wireless communication within a frequency band that lies, at least in part, below a cutoff frequency of said waveguide port; and a wireless bridge device comprising an antenna and a transceiver operably connected to said antenna, wherein at least a portion of said wireless bridge device is housed within said waveguide port, such that said antenna resides within said waveguide port; wherein a conductive path is provided within a first longitudinal portion of said waveguide port, wherein said first longitudinal portion extends between a first side of said waveguide port and an intermediate location within said waveguide port, and wherein said conductive path is unshielded and resides within said first longitudinal portion without making electrical contact with said Faraday cage, such that the propagation of electromagnetic waves is supported within said first longitudinal portion of said waveguide port, and wherein a second longitudinal portion of said waveguide port is absent of said conductive path, said second longitudinal portion extending between said intermediate location and a second side of said waveguide port, such that electromagnetic waves having a frequency below the cutoff frequency are attenuated within said second longitudinal portion, thereby preserving the functionality of said waveguide port as a high-pass filter; and wherein said antenna resides within said waveguide port at an antenna location that is sufficiently close to said second side of said waveguide port to support the transmission and reception of wireless signals to and from said one or more internal wireless communication devices, and wherein said first longitudinal portion is of sufficiently length to support the transmission and reception of wireless signals to and from said one or more external wireless communications devices.
one or more internal wireless communication devices located within the Faraday cage, and one or more external wireless communication devices located external to the Faraday cage, wherein said one or more internal wireless communication devices and said one or more external wireless communication devices are configured for wireless communication within a frequency band that lies, at least in part, below a cutoff frequency of said waveguide port; and
a wireless bridge device comprising an antenna and a transceiver operably connected to said antenna, wherein at least a portion of said wireless bridge device is housed within said waveguide port, such that said antenna resides within said waveguide port;
wherein a conductive path is provided within a first longitudinal portion of said waveguide port, wherein said first longitudinal portion extends between a first side of said waveguide port and an intermediate location within said waveguide port, and wherein said conductive path is unshielded and resides within said first longitudinal portion without making electrical contact with said Faraday cage, such that the propagation of electromagnetic waves is supported within said first longitudinal portion of said waveguide port, and
wherein a second longitudinal portion of said waveguide port is absent of said conductive path, said second longitudinal portion extending between said intermediate location and a second side of said waveguide port, such that electromagnetic waves having a frequency below the cutoff frequency are attenuated within said second longitudinal portion, thereby preserving the functionality of said waveguide port as a high-pass filter; and
wherein said antenna resides within said waveguide port at an antenna location that is sufficiently close to said second side of said waveguide port to support the transmission and reception of wireless signals to and from said one or more internal wireless communication devices, and wherein said first longitudinal portion is of sufficiently length to support the transmission and reception of wireless signals to and from said one or more external wireless communications devices.
The wireless communications system of claim 1 wherein said antenna is located such that a propagation loss within said waveguide port, from said antenna to said first side of said waveguide port or to said second side of said waveguide port, is less than 3 dB.
The wireless communications system of claim 1 wherein said antenna is located such that the signal-to-noise ratio associated with signals received from said one or more internal wireless communication devices and said one or more external wireless communication devices is at least 3 dB.
The wireless communications system of claim 1 wherein said waveguide port has a circular cross-sectional profile, and wherein a diameter of said circular cross-sectional profile is less than three inches, and when said antenna location is less than or equal to 10 cm from said second side of said waveguide port.
The wireless communications system of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said antenna is located such that propagation loss through a portion of the waveguide port on one side of said antenna location and propagation loss through another portion of the waveguide port on the other side of said antenna location is less than 3 dB.
The wireless communications system of any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein said antenna location is within said first longitudinal portion.
The wireless communications system of any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein said antenna location is within said second longitudinal portion.
The wireless communications system according to claim 7 wherein said antenna location is approximately in the center of the second longitudinal portion.
The wireless communications system according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein said conductive path is formed, at least in part, by a conductive rod or an outer conductor of a coaxial cable.
The wireless communications system according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein said conductive path is formed, at least in part, by a power cable providing power to said transceiver.
The wireless communications system according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein said conductive path is formed, at least in part, by a conductive path formed by at least in part by a conductive portion of a housing that houses at least said transceiver, and wherein said housing is configured such that said conductive portion is prevented from making electrical contact with said waveguide port when said housing is placed within said waveguide port.
The wireless communications system according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein said transceiver is located outside of said waveguide port.
The wireless communications system according to any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein said wireless bridge device comprises one or more additional antennae.
The wireless communications system according to any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein said wireless bridge device comprises one or more additional transceivers.
A wireless communication system for communicating through a waveguide port of a Faraday cage, the wireless communications system comprising: one or more internal wireless communication devices located within the Faraday cage, and one or more external wireless communication devices located external to the Faraday cage, wherein said one or more internal wireless communication devices and said one or more external wireless communication devices are configured for wireless communication within a frequency band that lies above a cutoff frequency of said waveguide port; and a wireless bridge device comprising an antenna and a transceiver operably connected to said antenna, wherein at least a portion of said wireless bridge device is housed within said waveguide port, such that said antenna resides within said waveguide port; wherein said antenna resides within said waveguide port at an antenna location that is suitable for to support the transmission and reception of wireless signals to and from said one or more internal wireless communication devices and to and from said one or more external wireless communications devices.
one or more internal wireless communication devices located within the Faraday cage, and one or more external wireless communication devices located external to the Faraday cage, wherein said one or more internal wireless communication devices and said one or more external wireless communication devices are configured for wireless communication within a frequency band that lies above a cutoff frequency of said waveguide port; and
wherein said antenna resides within said waveguide port at an antenna location that is suitable for to support the transmission and reception of wireless signals to and from said one or more internal wireless communication devices and to and from said one or more external wireless communications devices.
A wireless communication system for communicating through a waveguide port of a Faraday cage, the wireless communications system comprising: one or more internal wireless communication devices located within the Faraday cage, and one or more external wireless communication devices located external to the Faraday cage; and a wireless bridge device comprising an antenna and a transceiver operably connected to said antenna, wherein at least a portion of said wireless bridge device is housed within said waveguide port, such that said antenna resides within said waveguide port; wherein a conductive path is provided within a first longitudinal portion of said waveguide port, wherein said first longitudinal portion extends between a first side of said waveguide port and an intermediate location within said waveguide port, and wherein said conductive path is unshielded and resides within said first longitudinal portion without making electrical contact with said Faraday cage, such that the propagation of electromagnetic waves is supported within said first longitudinal portion of said waveguide port, and wherein a second longitudinal portion of said waveguide port is absent of said conductive path, said second longitudinal portion extending between said intermediate location and a second side of said waveguide port, such that electromagnetic waves having a frequency below a cutoff frequency of said waveguide port are attenuated within said second longitudinal portion, thereby preserving the functionality of said waveguide port as a high-pass filter; and wherein said antenna resides within said waveguide port at an antenna location that is sufficiently close to said second side of said waveguide port to support the transmission and reception of wireless signals to and from said one or more internal wireless communication devices, and wherein said first longitudinal portion is of sufficient length to support the transmission and reception of wireless signals to and from said one or more external wireless communications devices.
one or more internal wireless communication devices located within the Faraday cage, and one or more external wireless communication devices located external to the Faraday cage; and
wherein a second longitudinal portion of said waveguide port is absent of said conductive path, said second longitudinal portion extending between said intermediate location and a second side of said waveguide port, such that electromagnetic waves having a frequency below a cutoff frequency of said waveguide port are attenuated within said second longitudinal portion, thereby preserving the functionality of said waveguide port as a high-pass filter; and
wherein said antenna resides within said waveguide port at an antenna location that is sufficiently close to said second side of said waveguide port to support the transmission and reception of wireless signals to and from said one or more internal wireless communication devices, and wherein said first longitudinal portion is of sufficient length to support the transmission and reception of wireless signals to and from said one or more external wireless communications devices.
Ref EP3700306A1: Claims:
Lighting system, comprising
at least one mounting rail (4, 5) for carrying luminaires (9..12); and
a transmitter (15) for sending a radio signal,
characterized in that 
the mounting rail (4, 5) comprises at least one waveguide (13, 14) for transmitting the radio signal sent by the transmitter (15).
The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein
the waveguide (13, 14) comprises a window (17..19, 23) or slot for emitting the radio signal.
The lighting system according to claim 2, wherein
the window (17..19, 23) or the slot is located at a luminaire mounted on the mounting rail (4, 5), wherein the luminaire comprises a receiving means for receiving the emitted radio signal.
The lighting system according to anyone of the preceding claims, further comprising
a repeater (20, 22) for receiving the radio signal transmitted by the waveguide (13, 14) and retransmitting the received radio signal to a receiving unit located outside the waveguide.
The lighting system according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein
the lighting system comprises a first mounting rail (5), a second mounting rail (4) and a repeater (20, 22) for receiving the radio signal transmitted by the waveguide (13, 14) of the first mounting rail (5) and retransmitting the received radio signal in the waveguide of the second mounting rail (4).
The lighting system according to claim 5, wherein
the repeater (20, 22) is configured to retransmit the received radio signal in the waveguide of the second mounting rail (4, 5) and to a receiving unit located outside the waveguide (13, 14).
The lighting system according to claim 4 or 6, further comprising
a sensor for detecting brightness, temperature, humidity or presence of persons, wherein the sensor comprises the receiving unit.
The lighting system according to claim 4 or 6, further comprising
a control device (24) for controlling and/or configuring the lighting system, wherein the control device comprises the receiving unit.
The lighting system according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein
the waveguide (13, 14) comprises a plurality of openable windows (17..19, 23) or slots for emitting the radio signal.
The lighting system according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein
the transmitter (15) is a bluetooth transmitter.
The lighting system according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein
the transmitter (15) is a repeater (20, 22) for receiving the radio signal transmitted by a transmitter unit located outside the waveguide (13, 14) and retransmitting the received radio signal in the waveguide (13, 14).
The lighting system according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein
the mounting rail (4, 5) comprises a plurality of waveguides (13, 14) for transmitting a plurality of different radio signals.
The lighting system according to claim 12, wherein
the transmitter (15) is configured to send one radio signal of the plurality of different radio signals in each waveguide (13, 14).
The lighting system according to claim 13, wherein
each waveguide (13, 14) comprises a window or slot for emitting the respective radio signal at an individual position of the mounting rail (4, 5).
Method for transmitting a radio signal in a lighting system comprising at least one mounting rail (4, 5) for carrying luminaires and a transmitter (15) for sending the radio signal,
characterized in that 
the method comprises the step of transmitting the radio signal by a waveguide of the mounting rail (4, 5).
Ref US10578689: Claims:
1. A wireless communication system for communicating through a waveguide port of a Faraday cage, the wireless communications system comprising:
one or more internal wireless communication devices located within the Faraday cage, and one or more external wireless communication devices located external to the Faraday cage, wherein said one or more internal wireless communication devices and said one or more external wireless communication devices are configured for wireless communication within a frequency band that lies, at least in part, below a cutoff frequency of said waveguide port; and
a wireless bridge device comprising an antenna and a transceiver operably connected to said antenna, wherein at least a portion of said wireless bridge device is housed within said waveguide port, such that said antenna resides within said waveguide port;
wherein a conductive path is provided within a first longitudinal portion of said waveguide port, wherein said first longitudinal portion extends between a first side of said waveguide port and an intermediate location within said waveguide port, and wherein said conductive path is unshielded and resides within said first longitudinal portion without making electrical contact with said Faraday cage, such that the propagation of electromagnetic waves is supported within said first longitudinal portion of said waveguide port, and
wherein a second longitudinal portion of said waveguide port is absent of said conductive path, said second longitudinal portion extending between said intermediate location and a second side of said waveguide port, such that electromagnetic waves having a frequency below the cutoff frequency are attenuated within said second longitudinal portion, thereby preserving the functionality of said waveguide port as a high-pass filter; and
wherein said antenna resides within said waveguide port at an antenna location that is sufficiently close to said second side of said waveguide port to support the transmission and reception of wireless signals to and from said one or more internal wireless communication devices, and wherein said first longitudinal portion is of sufficiently length to support the transmission and reception of wireless signals to and from said one or more external wireless communications devices.
2. The wireless communications system of claim 1 wherein said antenna is located such that a propagation loss within said waveguide port, from said antenna to said first side of said waveguide port or to said second side of said waveguide port, is less than 3 dB.
3. The wireless communications system of claim 1 wherein said antenna is located such that the signal-to-noise ratio associated with signals received from said one or more internal wireless communication devices and said one or more external wireless communication devices is at least 3 dB.
4. The wireless communications system of claim 1 wherein said waveguide port has a circular cross-sectional profile, and wherein a diameter of said circular cross-sectional profile is less than three inches, and when said antenna location is less than or equal to 10 cm from said second side of said waveguide port.
5. The wireless communications system of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said antenna is located such that propagation loss through a portion of the waveguide port on one side of said antenna location and propagation loss through another portion of the waveguide port on the other side of said antenna location is less than 3 dB.
6. The wireless communications system of any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein said antenna location is within said first longitudinal portion.
7. The wireless communications system of any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein said antenna location is within said second longitudinal portion.
8. The wireless communications system according to claim 7 wherein said antenna location is approximately in the center of the second longitudinal portion.
9. The wireless communications system according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein said cond
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