DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application is being examined under the pre-AIA first to invent provisions.
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
2. A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on December 18, 2025 has been entered.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
3. The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of 35 U.S.C. 112(a):
(a) IN GENERAL.—The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor or joint inventor of carrying out the invention.
The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112:
The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention.
Claims 1, 8, 15, and 22 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), first paragraph, as failing to comply with the written description requirement. The claim(s) contains subject matter which was not described in the specification in such a way as to reasonably convey to one skilled in the relevant art that the inventor or a joint inventor, or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the inventor(s), at the time the application was filed, had possession of the claimed invention. The applicant's specification and/or drawings do not illustrate the wireless device executing the method steps of using “a preamble that is selected based on the power threshold.” (claims 1 and 15)
Also, the applicant's specification and/or drawings do not illustrate the base station executing the method steps of using “a preamble that is transmitted based on the preamble received target power and that is selected based on the power threshold.” (claims 8 and 22)
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
4. The following is a quotation of 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.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a), the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned at the time any inventions covered therein were made absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and invention dates of each claim that was not commonly owned at the time a later invention was made in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(c) and potential pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(e), (f) or (g) prior art under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a).
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 35 U.S.C. 103(a) are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
Claim(s) 1, 4, 8, 11, 15, 18, 22 and 25 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over R2-093723 (“Impact of CA on MAC layer”, 29 June – 03 July, 2009) in view of Chun et al. (WO# 2010143851 A2)(with English translation and citations to U.S. Patent Application Publication # 2012/0076042 A1).
Regarding claim 1, the R2-093723 document teaches a method comprising:
receiving, by a wireless device (read as UE) from a base station (read as ENB), at least one radio resource control message (read as RRC signaling) comprising a plurality of configuration parameters for a plurality of random access channel resources (read as “… UE gets the system information including RACH configuration in non-camping component carrier by some way, such as RRC signaling similar to that in handover.”(Section 2.1, page 1));
However, the R2-093723 document fails to explicitly teach a radio resource control message comprising:
a preamble received target power,
a power threshold,
measuring, by the wireless device, radio link quality of at least one radio link between the wireless device and the base station; and
transmitting, by the wireless device based on the preamble received target power and via at least one random access channel resource, of the plurality of random access channel resources, that is selected based on the radio link quality, a preamble that is selected based on the power threshold.
Chun et al. teach radio resource control message (read as an RRC message (Paragraph [0128])) comprising:
a preamble received target power (read as “The reference signal transmitted power may be provided to the user equipment by the higher layer.”(Paragraph [0109]) Also, “the RRC layer module 1030 enables RRC message to be exchanged between the base station and the user equipment.”(Fig.10 @ 1033; Paragraph [0128]) For example, the reference signal transmitted power may be a PREAMBLE_RECEIVED_TARGET_POWER (Paragraph [0120])),
a power threshold (read as linear average of power of resource elements (Paragraph [0109]) For example, “the RSRP may be determined from a linear average of power of resource elements carrying cell-specific reference signals within a corresponding measurement frequency band.”(Paragraph [0109])),
Also, Chun et al. teach a method for measuring, by the wireless device, radio link quality of at least one radio link between the wireless device and the base station (read as “a step of measuring the channel qualities of one or more uplink component carriers, and determining the uplink component carrier having the highest channel quality; ”(Abstract)); and
Also, Chun et al. teach a method transmitting, by the wireless device (read as UE (Fig(s).7 and 9-10)) based on the preamble received target power (read as PREAMBLE _RECEIVED TARGET_POWER) and via at least one random access channel resource, of the plurality of random access channel resources, that is selected based on the radio link quality, a preamble that is selected based on the power threshold. (read as “a step of selecting a physical random access channel (PRACH) resource on the uplink component carrier having the highest channel quality; and a step of transmitting a random access preamble to the base station using the selected PRACH resource.”(Fig(s).7 and 9-10, Abstract) Also, “The reference signal transmitted power may be provided to the user equipment by the higher layer.”(Paragraph [0109]) For example, “In selecting UL CC for a preamble retransmission, a user equipment calculates a preamble received target power (PREAMBLE_RECEIVED_TARGET_POWER) for all available UL CCs including PRACH resource and may be then able to compare it with a pathloss (PL) of DL CC. In particular, the user equipment calculates a formula of `x=PREAMBLE_RECEIVED_TARGET_POWER-PL` and may be then able to select a UL CC having a highest x as a UL CC for the preamble retransmission.”(Paragraph [0120]))
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made to employ the function for measuring and determining the highest channel quality and the function for selecting a PRACH and transmitting a preamble as taught by Chun by the UE as taught by the R2-093723 document for the purpose of establishing a communication channel using random access by devices in a communication network.
Regarding claim 8, the R2-093723 document teach a method comprising:
transmitting, by a base station (read as ENB) to a wireless device (read as UE), at least one radio resource control message comprising a plurality of configuration parameters for a plurality of random access channel resources(read as “… UE gets the system information including RACH configuration in non-camping component carrier by some way, such as RRC signaling similar to that in handover.”(Section 2.1, page 1));
However, the R2-093723 document fails to explicitly teach a radio resource control message comprising: a preamble received target power,
a power threshold,
receiving, by the base station from the wireless device, an indication of radio link quality of at least one radio link between the wireless device and the base station; and
receiving, by the base station, from the wireless device, and via at least one random access channel resource, of the plurality of random access channel resources, that is selected based on the indication of the radio link quality, a preamble that is transmitted based on the preamble received target power and that is selected on the power threshold.
Chun et al. teach a radio resource control message (read as an RRC message (Paragraph [0128])) comprising:
a preamble received target power (read as “The reference signal transmitted power may be provided to the user equipment by the higher layer.”(Paragraph [0109]) Also, “the RRC layer module 1030 enables RRC message to be exchanged between the base station and the user equipment.”(Fig.10 @ 1033; Paragraph [0128]) For example, the reference signal transmitted power may be a PREAMBLE_RECEIVED_TARGET_POWER (Paragraph [0120])),
a power threshold (read as linear average of power of resource elements (Paragraph [0109]) For example, “the RSRP may be determined from a linear average of power of resource elements carrying cell-specific reference signals within a corresponding measurement frequency band.”(Paragraph [0109])),
a power threshold associated with random access (read as “The reference signal transmitted power may be provided to the user equipment by the higher layer.”(Paragraph [0109]) Also, “the RRC layer module 1030 enables RRC message to be exchanged between the base station and the user equipment.”(Fig.10 @ 1033Paragraph [0128]) For example, the reference signal transmitted power may be a PREAMBLE_RECEIVED_TARGET_POWER (Paragraph [0120])),
Also, Chun et al. teach a method for receiving, by the base station (read as eNB (Fig(s).7 and 9-10)) from the wireless device (read as UE (Fig(s).7 and 9-10)), an indication of radio link quality of at least one radio link between the wireless device and the base station (read as “a control signal in UL as a channel quality indicator (CQI), a precoding matrix index (PMI), a rank indicator (RI), a sounding reference signal (SRS) and the like can be transmitted to a base station from a user equipment.”(Paragraph [0054])); and
Also, Chun et al. teach a method for receiving, by the base station (read as eNB (Fig(s).7 and 9-10)), from the wireless device (read as UE (Fig(s).7 and 9-10)), and via at least one random access channel resource, of the plurality of random access channel resources, that is selected based on the indication of the radio link quality, a preamble that is transmitted based on the preamble received target power and that is selected on the power threshold. (read as PREAMBLE_RECEIVED_TARGET_POWER; For example, “a step of selecting a physical random access channel (PRACH) resource on the uplink component carrier having the highest channel quality; and a step of transmitting a random access preamble to the base station using the selected PRACH resource.”(Fig(s).7 and 9-10, Abstract) Also, “The reference signal transmitted power may be provided to the user equipment by the higher layer.”(Paragraph [0109]) For example, “In selecting UL CC for a preamble retransmission, a user equipment calculates a preamble received target power (PREAMBLE_RECEIVED_TARGET_POWER) for all available UL CCs including PRACH resource and may be then able to compare it with a pathloss (PL) of DL CC. In particular, the user equipment calculates a formula of `x=PREAMBLE_RECEIVED_TARGET_POWER-PL` and may be then able to select a UL CC having a highest x as a UL CC for the preamble retransmission.”(Paragraph [0120]))
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made to employ the function for measuring and determining the highest channel quality and the function for selecting a PRACH and transmitting a preamble as taught by Chun by the UE that communicates with a base station (ENB) as taught by the R2-093723 document for the purpose of establishing a communication channel using random access by devices in a communication network.
Regarding claim 15, the R2-093723 document teach a wireless device (read as UE) comprising:
receive, from a base station, at least one radio resource control message comprising a plurality of configuration parameters for a plurality of random access channel resources (read as “… UE gets the system information including RACH configuration in non-camping component carrier by some way, such as RRC signaling similar to that in handover.”(Section 2.1, page 1));
However, the R2-093723 document fails to explicitly teach one or more processors; and
memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the wireless device to:
a radio resource control message comprising:
a preamble received target power,
a power threshold,
measure radio link quality of at least one radio link between the wireless device and the base station; and
transmit, based on the preamble received target power and via at least one random access channel resource, of the plurality of random access channel resources, that is selected based on the radio link quality, a preamble that is selected based on the power threshold.
Chun et al. teach a UE (Fig.10 @ 1000) comprising of one or more processors (read as processor (Fig.10)); and
memory (Fig.10 @ 1040) storing instructions (read as operated information (Paragraph [0133])) that, when executed by the one or more processors (read as processor (Fig.10)), cause the wireless device (Fig.10 @ 1000) to:
a radio resource control message (read as an RRC message (Paragraph [0128])) comprising:
a preamble received target power (read as “The reference signal transmitted power may be provided to the user equipment by the higher layer.”(Paragraph [0109]) Also, “the RRC layer module 1030 enables RRC message to be exchanged between the base station and the user equipment.”(Fig.10 @ 1033; Paragraph [0128]) For example, the reference signal transmitted power may be a PREAMBLE_RECEIVED_TARGET_POWER (Paragraph [0120])),
a power threshold (read as linear average of power of resource elements (Paragraph [0109]) For example, “the RSRP may be determined from a linear average of power of resource elements carrying cell-specific reference signals within a corresponding measurement frequency band.”(Paragraph [0109]))
a power threshold associated with random access (read as “The reference signal transmitted power may be provided to the user equipment by the higher layer.”(Paragraph [0109]) Also, “the RRC layer module 1030 enables RRC message to be exchanged between the base station and the user equipment.”(Fig.10 @ 1033Paragraph [0128]) For example, the reference signal transmitted power may be a PREAMBLE_RECEIVED_TARGET_POWER (Paragraph [0120])),
measure radio link quality of at least one radio link between the wireless device and the base station (read as “a step of measuring the channel qualities of one or more uplink component carriers, and determining the uplink component carrier having the highest channel quality; ”(Abstract)); and
transmit, based on the preamble received target power (read as PREAMBLE_RECEIVED_TARGET_POWER) and via at least one random access channel resource, of the plurality of random access channel resources, that is selected based on the radio link quality, a preamble that is selected based on the power threshold. (read as “a step of selecting a physical random access channel (PRACH) resource on the uplink component carrier having the highest channel quality; and a step of transmitting a random access preamble to the base station using the selected PRACH resource.”(Fig(s).7 and 9-10, Abstract) Also, “The reference signal transmitted power may be provided to the user equipment by the higher layer.”(Paragraph [0109]) For example, “In selecting UL CC for a preamble retransmission, a user equipment calculates a preamble received target power (PREAMBLE_RECEIVED_TARGET_POWER) for all available UL CCs including PRACH resource and may be then able to compare it with a pathloss (PL) of DL CC. In particular, the user equipment calculates a formula of `x=PREAMBLE_RECEIVED_TARGET_POWER-PL` and may be then able to select a UL CC having a highest x as a UL CC for the preamble retransmission.”(Paragraph [0120]))
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made to employ the function for measuring and determining the highest channel quality and the function for selecting a PRACH and transmitting a preamble as taught by Chun by the UE as taught by the R2-093723 document for the purpose of establishing a communication channel using random access by devices in a communication network.
Regarding claim 22, the R2-093723 document teach a base station (read as ENB) comprising:
transmit, to a wireless device, at least one radio resource control message comprising a plurality of configuration parameters for a plurality of random access channel resources(read as “… UE gets the system information including RACH configuration in non-camping component carrier by some way, such as RRC signaling similar to that in handover.”(Section 2.1, page 1));
However, the R2-093723 document fails to explicitly teach one or more processors; and
memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the base station to:
a radio resource control message comprising:
a preamble received target power,
a power threshold,
receive, from the wireless device, an indication of radio link quality of at least one radio link between the wireless device and the base station; and
receive, from the wireless device, and via at least one random access channel resource, of the plurality of random access channel resources, that is selected based on the indication of the radio link quality, a preamble that is transmitted based on the preamble received target power and that is selected on the power threshold.
Chun et al. teach a eNB (Fig(s).7 and 9-10) comprising of one or more processors (read as processor (Fig.10)); and
memory (Fig.10 @ 1040) storing instructions (read as operated information (Paragraph [0133])) that, when executed by the one or more processors (read as processor (Fig.10)), cause the base station (Fig(s).7, and 9-10) to:
a radio resource control message (read as an RRC message (Paragraph [0128])) comprising:
a preamble received target power (read as “The reference signal transmitted power may be provided to the user equipment by the higher layer.”(Paragraph [0109]) Also, “the RRC layer module 1030 enables RRC message to be exchanged between the base station and the user equipment.”(Fig.10 @ 1033; Paragraph [0128]) For example, the reference signal transmitted power may be a PREAMBLE_RECEIVED_TARGET_POWER (Paragraph [0120])),
a power threshold (read as linear average of power of resource elements (Paragraph [0109]) For example, “the RSRP may be determined from a linear average of power of resource elements carrying cell-specific reference signals within a corresponding measurement frequency band.”(Paragraph [0109]))
a power threshold associated with random access (read as “The reference signal transmitted power may be provided to the user equipment by the higher layer.”(Paragraph [0109]) Also, “the RRC layer module 1030 enables RRC message to be exchanged between the base station and the user equipment.”(Fig.10 @ 1033Paragraph [0128]) For example, the reference signal transmitted power may be a PREAMBLE_RECEIVED_TARGET_POWER (Paragraph [0120])),
receive, from the wireless device, an indication of radio link quality of at least one radio link between the wireless device and the base station (read as “a control signal in UL as a channel quality indicator (CQI), a precoding matrix index (PMI), a rank indicator (RI), a sounding reference signal (SRS) and the like can be transmitted to a base station from a user equipment.”(Paragraph [0054])); and
Also, Chun et al. teach a method to receive, from the wireless device (read as UE (Fig(s).7 and 9-10)), and via at least one random access channel resource, of the plurality of random access channel resources, that is selected based on the indication of the radio link quality, a preamble that is transmitted based on the preamble received target power and that is selected on the power threshold. (read as PREAMBLE_RECEIVED_TARGET_POWER (Paragraph [0120]); For example, “a step of selecting a physical random access channel (PRACH) resource on the uplink component carrier having the highest channel quality; and a step of transmitting a random access preamble to the base station using the selected PRACH resource.”(Fig(s).7 and 9-10, Abstract) Also, “The reference signal transmitted power may be provided to the user equipment by the higher layer.”(Paragraph [0109]) For example, “In selecting UL CC for a preamble retransmission, a user equipment calculates a preamble received target power (PREAMBLE_RECEIVED_TARGET_POWER) for all available UL CCs including PRACH resource and may be then able to compare it with a pathloss (PL) of DL CC. In particular, the user equipment calculates a formula of `x=PREAMBLE_RECEIVED_TARGET_POWER-PL` and may be then able to select a UL CC having a highest x as a UL CC for the preamble retransmission.”(Paragraph [0120]))
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made to employ the function for measuring and determining the highest channel quality and the function for selecting a PRACH and transmitting a preamble as taught by Chun by the UE that communicates with a base station (ENB) as taught by the R2-093723 document for the purpose of establishing a communication channel using random access by devices in a communication network.
Regarding claims 4 and 18, and as applied to claims 1 and 15 above, the R2-093723 document teaches a random access procedure between a UE and ENB. (Section 2.1, pages 1-2)
However, the R2-093723 document fails to explicitly teach the step to receive, from the base station, an indication of the preamble, wherein the indication comprises at least one of:
a preamble identifier (ID) or the at least one of the plurality of random access channel resources.
Chun et al. teach receive, from the base station (read as eNB (Fig(s).7 and 9-10)), an indication of the preamble (read as random access response), wherein the indication comprises at least one of:
a preamble identifier (ID) or the at least one of the plurality of random access channel resources. (read as random access preamble ID (RAPID) (Paragraph [0077]))
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made to employ the function for generating and transmitting a preamble ID in a random access response as taught by Chun by the base station (ENB) as taught by the R2-093723 document for the purpose of establishing a communication channel using random access by devices in a communication network.
Regarding claims 11 and 25, and as applied to claims 8 and 22 above, the R2-093723 document teaches a random access procedure between a UE and ENB. (Section 2.1, pages 1-2)
However, the R2-093723 document fails to explicitly teach the step to select, based on the at least one random access channel resource, the preamble and
transmit, to the wireless device, an indication of the preamble, wherein the indication comprises at least one of:
a preamble identifier (ID) or the at least one of the plurality of random access channel resources.
Chun et al. teach to select, based on the at least one random access channel resource, the preamble (read as “a step of selecting a physical random access channel (PRACH) resource on the uplink component carrier having the highest channel quality; and a step of transmitting a random access preamble to the base station using the selected PRACH resource.”(Fig(s).7 and 9-10, Abstract))and
transmit, to the wireless device (read as UE (Fig(s).7 and 9-10)), an indication of the preamble (read as a random access response), wherein the indication comprises at least one of:
a preamble identifier (ID) or the at least one of the plurality of random access channel resources. (read as random access preamble ID (RAPID) (Paragraph [0077]))
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made to employ the function for measuring and determining the highest channel quality, the function for selecting a PRACH and transmitting a preamble, and the function for generating and transmitting a preamble ID in a random access response as taught by Chun between the UE and a base station (ENB) as taught by the R2-093723 document for the purpose of establishing a communication channel using random access by devices in a communication network.
Claims 2, 9, 16, and 23 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over R2-093723 (“Impact of CA on MAC layer”, 29 June – 03 July, 2009), in view of Chun et al. (WO# 2010143851 A2) (with English translation and citations to U.S. Patent Application Publication # 2012/0076042 A1), and Uemura et al. (WO # 2011/016377A1).
Regarding claims 2, 9, 16, and 23, and as applied to claims 1, 8, 15, and 22 above, the R2-093723 document teaches a random access procedure between a UE and ENB. (Section 2.1, pages 1-2)
Chun et al. teach “a method and apparatus for performing a random access in a wireless communication system that supports multi-carriers.”(Fig(s).7 and 9-10; Paragraph [0001])
However, the R2-093723 document and Chun et al. fail to explicitly teach wherein the plurality of configuration parameters comprises:
a plurality of random access resource parameters; and
a plurality of power control parameters for random access preamble
Uemura et al. teach a method wherein the plurality of configuration parameters comprises:
a plurality of random access resource parameters (read as data information and downlink control channel information (Paragraph [0099])); and
a plurality of power control parameters for random access preamble transmission.(read as “The reception processing unit 109 measures the power of the uplink reference signal and the reception signal of the uplink shared channel received from the mobile station apparatus 1, … “ (Paragraph [0097]))
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made to employ the function for determining a power of uplink reference signals as taught by Uemura et al. and the function for measuring and determining the highest channel quality and the function for selecting a PRACH and transmitting a preamble as taught by Chun by the UE that communicates with a base station (ENB) as taught by the R2-093723 document for the purpose of establishing a communication channel using random access by devices in a communication network.
Claims 3, 10, 17, and 24 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over R2-093723 (“Impact of CA on MAC layer”, 29 June – 03 July, 2009), in view of Chun et al. (WO# 2010143851 A2) (with English translation and citations to U.S. Patent Application Publication # 2012/0076042 A1), and Fwu et al. (U.S. Patent Application Publication # 2014/0369322 A1).
Regarding claims 3 and 17, and as applied to claims 1 and 15 above, the R2-093723 document teaches a random access procedure between a UE and ENB. (Section 2.1, pages 1-2)
Chun et al. teach “a method and apparatus for performing a random access in a wireless communication system that supports multi-carriers.”(Fig(s).7 and 9-10; Paragraph [0001])
However, the R2-093723 document and Chun et al. fail to explicitly teach receiving, from the base station via a primary cell, a random access response.
Fwu et al. teach a method for receiving, from the base station via a primary cell, a random access response. (read as Random Access Response (Paragraph [0064]); For example, “receiving 1020 a Random Access Response (RAR) at the UE from the eNodeB for the PCell.”(Paragraph [0064]))
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made to employ the function for generating and exchanging a RAR for a PCELL as taught by Fwu et al. and the function for measuring and determining the highest channel quality and the function for selecting a PRACH and transmitting a preamble as taught by Chun by the UE that communicates with a base station (ENB) as taught by the R2-093723 document for the purpose of establishing a communication channel using random access by devices in a communication network.
Regarding claims 10 and 24, and as applied to claims 8 and 22 above, the R2-093723 document teaches a random access procedure between a UE and ENB. (Section 2.1, pages 1-2)
Chun et al. teach “a method and apparatus for performing a random access in a wireless communication system that supports multi-carriers.”(Fig(s).7 and 9-10; Paragraph [0001])
However, the R2-093723 document and Chun et al. fail to explicitly teach transmitting, to the wireless device via a primary cell, a random access response.
Fwu et al. teach a method for transmitting, to the wireless device via a primary cell, a random access response. (read as Random Access Response (Paragraph [0064]); For example, “receiving 1020 a Random Access Response (RAR) at the UE from the eNodeB for the PCell.”(Paragraph [0064]))
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made to employ the function for generating and exchanging a RAR for a PCELL as taught by Fwu et al. and the function for measuring and determining the highest channel quality and the function for selecting a PRACH and transmitting a preamble as taught by Chun by the UE that communicates with a base station (ENB) as taught by the R2-093723 document for the purpose of establishing a communication channel using random access by devices in a communication network.
Claims 5-7, 12-14, 19-21, and 26-28 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over R2-093723 (“Impact of CA on MAC layer”, 29 June – 03 July, 2009), in view of Chun et al. (WO# 2010143851 A2)(with English translation and citations to U.S. Patent Application Publication # 2012/0076042 A1), and Yamada (U.S. Patent Application Publication # 2012/0257513 A1).
Regarding claims 5, 12, 19, and 26, and as applied to claims 1, 8, 15, and 22 above, the R2-093723 document teaches a random access procedure between a UE and ENB. (Section 2.1, pages 1-2)
Chun et al. teach “a method and apparatus for performing a random access in a wireless communication system that supports multi-carriers.”(Fig(s).7 and 9-10; Paragraph [0001])
However, the R2-093723 document and Chun et al. fail to explicitly teach wherein:
the plurality of configuration parameters for the plurality of random access channel resources are for a plurality of cells grouped into a plurality of cell groups;
the plurality of cell groups comprise a primary cell group and a secondary cell group; and
the secondary cell group comprises a plurality of secondary cells.
Yamada teaches a method wherein:
the plurality of configuration parameters for the plurality of random access channel resources are for a plurality of cells grouped into a plurality of cell groups (read as “The RRC signaling may indicate the PSCell based on one selected from the group consisting of an SCell with a random access channel (RACH), an SCell with a lowest order in a group configuration and an SCell that is a reference cell for uplink timing.”(Paragraph [0028]));
the plurality of cell groups comprise a primary cell group and a secondary cell group (read as “The RRC signaling may indicate the PSCell based on one selected from the group consisting of an SCell with a random access channel (RACH), an SCell with a lowest order in a group configuration and an SCell that is a reference cell for uplink timing.”(Paragraph [0028])); and
the secondary cell group comprises a plurality of secondary cells. (read as non-PCell group (Paragraph(s) [0050] and [0128]))
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made to employ the function for generating and exchanging an RRC message with group indicators as taught by Yamada and the function for measuring and determining the highest channel quality and the function for selecting a PRACH and transmitting a preamble as taught by Chun by the UE that communicates with a base station (ENB) as taught by the R2-093723 document for the purpose of establishing a communication channel using random access by devices in a communication network.
Regarding claims 6, 13, 20, and 27, and as applied to claims 5, 12, 19, and 26 above, the R2-093723 document teaches a random access procedure between a UE and ENB. (Section 2.1, pages 1-2)
Chun et al. teach “a method and apparatus for performing a random access in a wireless communication system that supports multi-carriers.”(Fig(s).7 and 9-10; Paragraph [0001])
However, the R2-093723 document and Chun et al. fail to explicitly teach wherein:
uplink transmission timing associated with the primary cell group is based on a first cell of the primary cell group; and
uplink transmission timing associated with the secondary cell group is based on a second cell of the secondary cell group.
Yamada teaches a method wherein:
uplink transmission timing associated with the primary cell group is based on a first cell of the primary cell group (uplink timing reference (Paragraph [0050]); For example, “Each group may have one specific cell that is used as an uplink timing reference.”(Paragraph [0050])); and
uplink transmission timing associated with the secondary cell group is based on a second cell of the secondary cell group. (uplink timing reference (Paragraph [0050]); For example, “Each group may have one specific cell that is used as an uplink timing reference.”(Paragraph [0050]))
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made to employ the function for generating an uplink timing reference for a cell within group as taught by Yamada and the function for measuring and determining the highest channel quality and the function for selecting a PRACH and transmitting a preamble as taught by Chun by the UE that communicates with a base station (ENB) as taught by the R2-093723 document for the purpose of establishing a communication channel using random access by devices in a communication network.
Regarding claims 7, and 21, and as applied to claims 5 and 19 above, the R2-093723 document teaches a random access procedure between a UE and ENB. (Section 2.1, pages 1-2)
Chun et al. teach “a method and apparatus for performing a random access in a wireless communication system that supports multi-carriers.”(Fig(s).7 and 9-10; Paragraph [0001])
However, the R2-093723 document and Chun et al. fail to explicitly teach a method further comprising:
transmitting, to the base station, an indication of radio link quality of the plurality of secondary cells;
receiving, from the base station, an indication of a random access channel resource, of the plurality of random access channel resources, associated with a secondary cell of the plurality of secondary cells; and
receiving, from the base station, a command to cause the transmitting the preamble.
Yamada et al. teach a method further comprising:
transmitting, to the base station, an indication of radio link quality of the plurality of secondary cells (read as Multi-Group Control Information (Fig.5 @ 531));
receiving, from the base station, an indication of a random access channel resource, of the plurality of random access channel resources, associated with a secondary cell of the plurality of secondary cells (read as Signal Information (Fig.5 @ 523)); and
receiving, from the base station, a command to cause the transmitting the preamble. (read as Time Advance Command(s) (Fig.5 @ 527))
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made to employ the function for generating TA commands for a cell within group as taught by Yamada and the function for measuring and determining the highest channel quality and the function for selecting a PRACH and transmitting a preamble as taught by Chun by the UE that communicates with a base station (ENB) as taught by the R2-093723 document for the purpose of establishing a communication channel using random access by devices in a communication network.
Regarding claims 14 and 28, and as applied to claims 12 and 26 above, the R2-093723 document teaches a random access procedure between a UE and ENB. (Section 2.1, pages 1-2)
Chun et al. teach “a method and apparatus for performing a random access in a wireless communication system that supports multi-carriers.”(Fig(s).7 and 9-10; Paragraph [0001])
However, the R2-093723 document and Chun et al. fail to explicitly teach a method further comprising:
receiving, from the wireless device, an indication of radio link quality of the plurality of secondary cells;
transmitting, to the wireless device, an indication of a random access channel resource, of the plurality of random access channel resources, associated with a secondary cell of the plurality of secondary cells; and
transmitting, to the wireless device, a command to cause transmission of the preamble.
Yamada teaches a method further comprising:
receiving, from the wireless device, an indication of radio link quality of the plurality of secondary cells (read as signal information (Fig.7 @ 707));
transmitting, to the wireless device, an indication of a random access channel resource, of the plurality of random access channel resources, associated with a secondary cell of the plurality of secondary cells (read as Group Configuration Information (Fig.7 @ 757)); and
transmitting, to the wireless device, a command to cause transmission of the preamble. (read as Timing Advance Command(s) (Fig.7 @ 761))
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made to employ the function for generating TA commands for a cell within group as taught by Yamada and the function for measuring and determining the highest channel quality and the function for selecting a PRACH and transmitting a preamble as taught by Chun by the UE that communicates with a base station (ENB) as taught by the R2-093723 document for the purpose of establishing a communication channel using random access by devices in a communication network.
Response to Arguments
5. Applicant's arguments filed on December 18, 2025 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
The Applicant argues regarding the Claim Rejections Under 35 USC § 112 section, see Page 10 of 13 states “Applicant disagrees, because support for the rejected claim language is found throughout the specification.”
The examiner respectfully disagrees since Applicant's arguments fail to comply with the written description requirement because they amount to a general allegation that the claim language is defined in the specification. Also, Applicant's arguments do not clearly point out the patentable novelty which he or she thinks the claims present in the specification. Further, they do not show how the amendments avoid a rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), first paragraph. In conclusion, the claim(s) contains subject matter which was not described in the specification in such a way as to reasonably convey to one skilled in the relevant art that the inventor or a joint inventor, or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the inventor(s), at the time the application was filed, had possession of the claimed invention.
Applicant’s arguments filed on April 14, 2025 with respect to independent claims 1, 8, 15, and 22 have been considered and are not persuasive. Upon further consideration, the cited prior art reference(s) Chun et al. (WO# 2010143851 A2)(with English translation and citations to U.S. Patent Application Publication # 2012/0076042 A1) does address the new amended limitation set forth within independent claims 1, 8, 15, and 22.
Chun et al. teach “a method and apparatus for performing a random access in a wireless communication system that supports multi-carriers.”(Fig(s).7 and 9-10; Paragraph [0001]) For example, Chun et al. teach “The reference signal transmitted power may be provided to the user equipment by the higher layer.”(Paragraph [0109]) Also, Chun et al. teach “the RRC layer module 1030 enables RRC message to be exchanged between the base station and the user equipment.”(Fig.10 @ 1033Paragraph [0128]) For example, Chun et al. teach “In selecting UL CC for a preamble retransmission, a user equipment calculates a preamble received target power (PREAMBLE_RECEIVED_TARGET_POWER) for all available UL CCs including PRACH resource and may be then able to compare it with a pathloss (PL) of DL CC. In particular, the user equipment calculates a formula of `x=PREAMBLE_RECEIVED_TARGET_POWER-PL` and may be then able to select a UL CC having a highest x as a UL CC for the preamble retransmission.”(Paragraph [0120])
Therefore, new rejections have been formulated to address the limitations as set forth in independent claims 1, 8, 15, and 22 rendering the applicant’s amendments filed on April 14, 2025 moot.
Conclusion
6. The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to Applicant’s disclosure:
Shen et al. (U.S. Patent Application Publication # 20120069788 A1) teach “The determining module 94 is configured to determine whether the received random access preamble is the random access preamble sent from the relay according to the received random access preamble transmission power parameter and the transmission power threshold.” (Paragraph [0106])
He et al. (U.S. Patent Application Publication # 20120115532 A1) teach “eNB1 calculates the initial transmission power PPRACH of the UE when initiating a random access in the cell B according to the random access initial received target power (Preamble Initial received Target Power) of the cell B and the estimated uplink path loss PLUL,…”(Paragraph [0056])
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/SALVADOR E RIVAS/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2413
January 23, 2026