DETAILED 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 .
Response to Amendment/Remarks
This communication is considered fully responsive to the amendment filed on 05/07/2026.
Claims 65, 67-72, 74, 76-77 are pending and are examined in this office action.
Claims 65, 68, 70, 72 have been amended.
No new claim has been added and previously claims 1-64, 66, 73,75 have been canceled.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 05/07/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
Applicant’s Argument and Examiner’s Response for Double Patenting Rejection:
Applicant argued that “Applicant does not necessarily agree with or acquiesce to the comments contained in the Office Action regarding the claims of the present Application or their purported relationship to the claims of the patent. However, Applicant stands willing to file a Terminal Disclaimer with respect to these claims in their current form upon indication of their allowability.”
The examiner respectfully disagrees. The applicant is encourage to file a Terminal Disclaimer (TD) as soon as possible. Since no Terminal Disclaimer (TD) is filed, the Double Patenting Rejection will stay as shown below.
Applicant’s Argument: 103 Rejection
Applicant’s arguments, filed on 05/07/2026 , with respect to claim(s) have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument. See RYOO et al. (US 20140329551 A1).
Double Patenting
The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on nonstatutory double patenting provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with the examined application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. See MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP § 2146 et seq. for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b).
The filing of a terminal disclaimer by itself is not a complete reply to a nonstatutory double patenting (NSDP) rejection. A complete reply requires that the terminal disclaimer be accompanied by a reply requesting reconsideration of the prior Office action. Even where the NSDP rejection is provisional the reply must be complete. See MPEP § 804, subsection I.B.1. For a reply to a non-final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.111(a). For a reply to final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.113(c). A request for reconsideration while not provided for in 37 CFR 1.113(c) may be filed after final for consideration. See MPEP §§ 706.07(e) and 714.13.
The USPTO Internet website contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms. The actual filing date of the application in which the form is filed determines what form (e.g., PTO/SB/25, PTO/SB/26, PTO/AIA /25, or PTO/AIA /26) should be used. A web-based eTerminal Disclaimer may be filled out completely online using web-screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets all requirements is auto-processed and approved immediately upon submission. For more information about eTerminal Disclaimers, refer to www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/applying-online/eterminal-disclaimer.
Claims 65, 67-72, 74, 76-77 rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-18 of U.S. Patent No. US 11/019,581 B2
Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because Claims 65, 67-72, 74, 76-77 of the instant application merely broaden the scope of the claims 1-18 of U.S. Patent No. US 11/019,581 B2. Thus, the Claims 65, 67-72, 74, 76-77 of the instant application are anticipated by the claims 1-18 of U.S. Patent No. US 11/019,581 B2. Following is side by side of comparison of the at least independent claims of the instant application against the claims U.S. Patent No. US 11/019,581 B2
Current application’s claims: 17/317,281
U.S. Patent No.US 11/019,581 B2
65. (Currently Amended) A method performed in a network node, for enabling transmit power control of a wireless device that is configured to contemporaneously support at least a first link with a first wireless access point and a second link with a second wireless access point, the method comprising: determining a priority of each of the first link with the first wireless access point and the second link with the second wireless access point to be contemporaneously supported; and determining, based on the priority of each of the first link with the first wireless access point and the second link with the second wireless access point, a separate configured transmit power value for the wireless device for each of the first link with the first wireless access point and the second link with the second wireless access point, wherein a sum of all the separate configured transmit power values for at least the first link with the first wireless access point and the second link with the second wireless access point does not exceed a maximum allowed transmit power for the wireless device; [[and]] transmitting at least one of the determined configured transmit power values to another network node; and receiving, from the UE, a power headroom report to a network node, and wherein the priority of each of the first link with the first wireless access point and the second link with the second wireless access point is determined based on one or more of:the power headroom report,a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) of the wireless device,a Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ) of the wireless device,a buffer status of the wireless device, and a priority of a corresponding contemporaneous link.
1. A method performed in a network node, for enabling transmit power control of a wireless device that is configured to support two or more contemporaneous links with two or more corresponding wireless access points, the method comprising:
obtaining a separate configured transmit power value (P.sub.1, P.sub.2, . . . P.sub.i) for the wireless device per contemporaneous link with the two or more corresponding wireless access points; and
transmitting at least one of the obtained configured transmit power values to another network node, and
wherein a sum of all of the separate configured transmit power values for the two or more contemporaneous links with the two or more corresponding wireless access points does not exceed a maximum allowed transmit power (P.sub.TOTALMAX) for the wireless device minus a threshold value (P.sub.thresh) as determined by:
P.sub.1+P.sub.2+. . . +P.sub.i<(P.sub.TOTALMAX)−(P.sub.thresh)
wherein P.sub.thresh is related to a tolerance value for the maximum allowed transmit power for the wireless device.
68. (Currently Amended) A method performed in a wireless device configured to contemporaneously support at least a first link with a first wireless access point and a second link with a second wireless access point, the method comprising: - receiving a separate configured transmit power value for the wireless device for each of the first link with the first wireless access point and the second link with the second wireless access point, wherein the separate configured transmit power values are determined based on a priority of each of the first link with the first wireless access point and the second link with the second wireless access point, wherein a sum of all the separate configured transmit power values for the first link with the first wireless access point and the second link with the second wireless access point does not exceed a maximum allowed transmit power for the wireless device; [[and]] - applying power control to transmissions on the first link with the first wireless access point and the second link with the second access point based on the configured transmit power value corresponding to each of the first link and the second link; and - transmitting a power headroom report to a network node, and wherein the priority of each of the first link with the first wireless access point and the second link with the second wireless access point is determined based on one or more of:the power headroom report,a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) of the wireless device,a Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ) of the wireless device,a buffer status of the wireless device, anda priority of a corresponding contemporaneous link.
11. A method performed in a wireless device configured to support two or more contemporaneous links with two or more corresponding wireless access points, the method comprising:
receiving a separate configured transmit power value for the wireless device for each contemporaneous link with the two or more corresponding wireless access points;
receiving a plurality of uplink grants with respect to a subframe k;
determining that contemporaneous transmission on the two or more contemporaneous links with the two or more corresponding wireless access points will be performed based on having received the plurality of uplink grants with respect to the subframe k; and
applying power control to transmissions on each contemporaneous link in subframe k based on the configured transmit power value corresponding to the respective link, and wherein a sum of all of the separate configured transmit power values for the two or more contemporaneous links with the two or more corresponding wireless access points does not exceed a maximum allowed transmit power (P.sub.TOTALMAX) for the wireless device minus a threshold value (P.sub.thresh) as determined by:
P.sub.1+P.sub.2+. . . +P.sub.i<(P.sub.TOTALMAX)−(P.sub.thresh)
wherein P.sub.thresh is related to a tolerance value for the maximum allowed transmit power for the wireless device.
70. (Currently Amended) A wireless device configured to contemporaneously support at least a first link with a first wireless access point and a second link with a second wireless access point, the wireless device comprising: a memory comprising instructions; and a processor operable to execute the instructions to cause the processor to: - receive a separate configured transmit power value for the wireless device for each of the first link with the first wireless access point and the second link with the second wireless access point to be contemporaneously supported, wherein the separate configured transmit power values are determined based on a priority of each of the first link with the first wireless access point and the second link with the second wireless access point, wherein a sum of all the separate configured transmit power values for the first link with the first wireless access point and the second link with the second wireless access point does not exceed a maximum allowed transmit power for the wireless device; [[and]] - apply power control to transmissions on the first link with the first wireless access point and the second link with the second access point based on the configured transmit power value corresponding to each of the first link and the second link; and - transmit a power headroom report to a network node, and wherein the priority of each of the first link with the first wireless access point and the second link with the second wireless access point is determined based on one or more of:the power headroom report,a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) of the wireless device,a Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ) of the wireless device,a buffer status of the wireless device, and a priority of a corresponding contemporaneous link.
71. (Previously Presented) The wireless device according to claim 70, wherein the execution of the instructions further causes the wireless device to: determine that contemporaneous transmission will be performed based on having received more than one uplink grant with respect to a subframe k, and applying power control to transmissions on each contemporaneous link in subframe k based on the configured transmit power value corresponding to the respective contemporaneous link.
13. A wireless device configured to support two or more contemporaneous links with two or more corresponding wireless access points, the wireless device comprising:
a memory comprising instructions; and a processor configured to execute the instructions to cause the processor to:
receive a separate configured transmit power value for each contemporaneous link with the two or more corresponding wireless access points;
receive a plurality of uplink grants with respect to a subframe k; determining that contemporaneous transmission on the two or more contemporaneous links with the two or more corresponding wireless access points will be performed based on having received the plurality of uplink grants with respect to the subframe k; and
apply power control to transmissions on each contemporaneous link in subframe k based on the configured transmit power value corresponding to the respective link, and
wherein a sum of all of the separate configured transmit power values for the two or more contemporaneous links with the two or more corresponding wireless access points does not exceed a maximum allowed transmit power (P.sub.TOTALMAX) for the wireless device minus a threshold value (P.sub.thresh) as determined by:
P.sub.1+P.sub.2+. . . +P.sub.i<(P.sub.TOTALMAX)−(P.sub.thresh)
wherein P.sub.thresh is related to a tolerance value for the maximum allowed transmit power for the wireless device.
72. (Currently Amended) A network node configured for enabling transmit power control of a wireless device that is configured to contemporaneously support at least a first link with a first wireless access point and a second link with a second wireless access point, the network node comprising: a memory comprising instructions; and a processor operable to execute the instructions to cause the processor to:determine a priority of each of the first link with the first wireless access point and the second link with the second wireless access point to be contemporaneously supported; and determine, based on the priority of each of the first link with the first wireless access point and the second link with the second wireless access point, a separate configured transmit power value for the wireless device, wherein a sum of all the separate configured transmit power values for the first link with the first wireless access point and the second link with the second wireless access point does not exceed a maximum allowed transmit power for the wireless device; [[and]] transmit at least one of the obtained configured transmit power values to another network node; andreceive, from the UE, a power headroom report to a network node, andwherein the priority of each of the first link with the first wireless access point and the second link with the second wireless access point is determined based on one or more of:the power headroom report,a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) of the wireless device,a Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ) of the wireless device,a buffer status of the wireless device, anda priority of a corresponding contemporaneous link.
74. (Previously Presented) The method according to claim 67, wherein the threshold value is related to a tolerance value for the maximum allowed transmit power for the wireless device.
15. A network node configured for enabling transmit power control of a wireless device that is configured to support two or more contemporaneous links with two or more corresponding wireless access points, the network node comprising: a memory comprising instructions; and a processor configured to execute the instructions to cause the processor to:
obtain a separate configured transmit power value (P.sub.1, P.sub.2, . . . P.sub.i) for the wireless device per contemporaneous link with the two or more corresponding wireless access points; and
transmit at least one of the obtained configured transmit power values to another network node, and wherein a sum of all of the separate configured transmit power values for the two or more contemporaneous links with the two or more corresponding wireless access points does not exceed a maximum allowed transmit power (P.sub.TOTALMAX) for the wireless device minus a threshold value (P.sub.thresh) as determined by:
P.sub.1+P.sub.2+. . . +P.sub.i<(P.sub.TOTALMAX)−(P.sub.thresh) wherein P.sub.thresh is related to a tolerance value for the maximum allowed transmit power for the wireless device.
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.
Claims 65. 67-72. 74. 76-77 are 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 pre-AIA the applicant regards as the invention.
Regarding claim 65, which draws to (all emphases below added by examiner)
“…..receiving, from the UE, a power headroom report to a network node….”.
This part of the claim has two indefiniteness issues:
(1) regarding “the UE” (line 12) above, it appears to have inadequate antecedent basis, as it’s unclear whether it refers back to “a wireless device” (Line 1) in the preamble or yet another UE. Under Broadest Reasonable Interpretation (BRI) and in the context of the whole claim, the examiner believes Line 12 refers to Line 1, thus recommend to change Line 11 to “the first wireless device”.
(2) regarding “a network node” ( line 12), it is unclear and thus indefinite, to one of ordinary skill in the art that will connect this “a network node” to line 1 in preamble or yet “another network node”…. Under BRI and within the claim context, the examiner believes that, if should be “the network node”. The applicant must correct all these.
Regarding claim 68, which draws to (all emphases below added by examiner)
“…..transmitting a power headroom report to a network node….”.
This part of the claim has two indefiniteness issues:
(2) regarding “a network node” ( line 12), it is unclear and thus indefinite, to one of ordinary skill in the art that will connect this “a network node” to line 1 in preamble or yet “another network node”…. Under BRI and within the claim context, the examiner believes that, if should be “the network node”. The applicant must correct all these.
Regarding claim 70, which draws to (all emphases below added by examiner)
“…..transmite a power headroom report to a network node….”.
This part of the claim has two indefiniteness issues:
(2) regarding “a network node” ( line 12), it is unclear and thus indefinite, to one of ordinary skill in the art that will connect this “a network node” to line 1 in preamble or yet “another network node”…. Under BRI and within the claim context, the examiner believes that, if should be “the network node”. The applicant must correct all these.
Regarding claim 72, which draws to (all emphases below added by examiner)
“…..receiving, from the UE, a power headroom report to a network node….”.
This part of the claim has two indefiniteness issues:
(1) regarding “the UE” (line 12) above, it appears to have inadequate antecedent basis, as it’s unclear whether it refers back to “a wireless device” (Line 1) in the preamble or yet another UE. Under Broadest Reasonable Interpretation (BRI) and in the context of the whole claim, the examiner believes Line 12 refers to Line 1, thus recommend to change Line 11 to “the first wireless device”.
(2) regarding “a network node” ( line 12), it is unclear and thus indefinite, to one of ordinary skill in the art that will connect this “a network node” to line 1 in preamble or yet “another network node”…. Under BRI and within the claim context, the examiner believes that, if should be “the network node”. The applicant must correct all these.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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 (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
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.
Claims 65, 68-72, 76 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over STERN-BERKOWITZ et al. (US 20130176953 A1; hereinafter as “STERN-BERKOWITZ”, provided in IDS) in view of Blankenship et al. (US 20150036566 A1; hereinafter as “Blankenship”) and further in view of RYOO et al. (US 20140329551 A1; hereinafter as “RYOO”, which has priority date May 2, 2013).
Examiner’s note: in what follows, references are drawn to STERN-BERKOWITZ unless otherwise mentioned.
Regarding claim 65, STERN-BERKOWITZ teaches, a method performed in a network node (see fig. 8-9: eNB1 with first scheduler : [abstract]; eNB1 with first scheduler in fig. 8-9; or MME which server as control Node for eNBs and WTRU), for enabling transmit power control of a wireless device (fig. 8-9, element 802/element 902, WTRU) that is configured to contemporaneously support at least a first link with a first wireless access point and a second link with a second wireless access point (see fig. 8-9, aforesaid WTRU is in commucnation with multiple wireless access points including eNB1 (==a first wireless access point) and eNB2 (==a second wireless access point) : “FIG. 8-9 illustrates a WTRU connects with multiple eNBs, ie. eNB1 and eNB2 ; FIG. 9 illustrates a WTRU transmitting data and UCI to multiple eNBs;”: [0022]-[0023]; configured maximum transmit power value: [0085]); transmit power management of WTRU : [0117]-[0119], the method comprising:
NOTE: crossed/missed limitation as shown above will be addressed by another reference below); and
determining, (aforesaid WTRU in Fig. 8-9 element 802 or 902) for each of the first link with the first wireless access point and the second link with the second wireless access point (determining, by a first scheduler (aforesaid eNB1 in Fig. 8-9), a first maximum power (==configured transmit power for first link with the first wireless access point in claim) value for a first set of cells configured for a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU); and determining, by the first scheduler, a second maximum power (==configured transmit power for the second link with the second wireless access point ) value for a second set of cells configured for the WTRU: [claim 6 and claim 8]; see Fig. 8-9 connections between aforesaid WTRU 802/902 to eNB1 and well as eNB2; The MeNB (aforesaid eNB1 in Fig. 8-9) may determine one or more of the maximum allowed transmit power per-CC, per-band, per eNB, per scheduler, or per set of configured cells. Any of these determinations may be applicable per WTRU…... For example, the MeNB (aforesaid eNB1 in Fig. 8-9) may do one or more of the following: [0262] The MeNB (aforesaid eNB1 in Fig. 8-9) may determine the maximum power a WTRU is permitted to transmit in each UL CC or cell or set of configured UL CCs or cells that may belong to different eNBs: [0261]; “In some embodiments, systems and methods may be used to control power for a channel that may be or that may be intended to be received by multiple eNBs (==the first wireless access point and the second wireless access point) or cells.”: [0111]; configured maximum transmit power value: [0085]; “A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) may establish communication with a first set of cells and a second set of cells. The first set of cells may be associated with a first scheduler and the second set of cells may be associated with a second scheduler. The maximum allowed transmit power for the WTRU may be determined for and/or distributed across the first set of cells and the second set of cells.”: [0005]; “Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content such as voice, data, and so on. These systems may be multiple-access systems capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing the available system resources (e.g., bandwidth and transmit power). Examples of such multiple-access systems include code division-multiple access (CDMA) systems, time division multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) systems, 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, and orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) systems. ”: [0002]; NOTE: crossed/missed limitation as shown above will be addressed by another reference below); and
transmitting at least one of the determined configured transmit power values to another network node (fig. 8-9; eNB2) (aforesaid eNB1 is transmitting maximum power value to eNB2 in Fig. 8-9; one eNB (aforesaid eNB1 in Fig. 8-9) may be responsible for managing the power distribution for the WTRU among those eNBs (aforesaid eNB1 and eNB2 in Fig. 8-9). This managing eNB (e.g., MeNB), may, for example, be the eNB of, or that provides, the WTRU's PCell. Alternatively, the MeNB may be a designated eNB that manages the power distribution and/or scheduling among a set of eNBs: [0260]; also [0110]-[0116]; “In some embodiments, an eNB or scheduler may manage the maximum allowed transmit power and power distribution for one or more cells. ”: [0115]; configured maximum transmit power value: [0085])).
While STERN-BERKOWITZ teaches “determining, a separate configured transmit power value for the wireless device ”,
STERN-BERKOWITZ does not expressively teach:
determining a priority of each of the first link with the first wireless access point and the second link with the second wireless access point to be contemporaneously supported;
determining, based on the priority of each of the first link with the first wireless access point and the second link with the second wireless access point, a separate configured transmit power value for the wireless device for each of the first link with the first wireless access point and the second link with the second wireless access point;
wherein a sum of all the separate configured transmit power values for at least the first link with the first wireless access point and the second link with the second wireless access point does not exceed a maximum allowed transmit power for the wireless device;
receiving, from the UE, a power headroom report to a network node, and
wherein the priority of each of the first link with the first wireless access point and the second link with the second wireless access point is determined based on one or more of: the power headroom report, a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) of the wireless device ,a Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ) of the wireless device, a buffer status of the wireless device, and a priority of a corresponding contemporaneous link.
Blankenship, in the same field of endeavor, discloses:
determining a priority of each of the first link with the first wireless access point and the second link with the second wireless access point to be contemporaneously supported (UE is capable of capable of concurrently connecting to both macro Cell 102 and small cell 112 as shown in Fig. 1 : [0015]; Scheduler of wireless access network node schedules signals transmitted by the UE to the multiples access network nodes, ie. first wireless access point and second wireless access point : [0027]; “UE has concurrent wireless connections with multiple wireless access network nodes (==ie. the first wireless access point and the second wireless access point), prioritization rules can be specified for uplink transmit power sharing control so that each eNB is able to determine what to expect from the UE on an uplink. Various prioritization rules are described further below. A prioritization rule can be pre-configured in the UE. Alternatively, a prioritization rule can be signaled by an eNB to the UE”: [0029]; “ the information relating to the uplink transmit power sharing control can be at least one prioritization rule used by the UE for adjusting one or more uplink transmissions when a power threshold is exceeded”: [0030]; “ The prioritization rule specifying priorities of the uplink transmissions can specify priorities of uplink transmissions over wireless connections provided over different component carriers as well as with multiple wireless access network nodes.”: [0037]);
determining, based on the priority of each of the first link with the first wireless access point and the second link with the second wireless access point, a separate configured transmit power value for the wireless device for each of the first link with the first wireless access point and the second link with the second wireless access point ( “ UE detects (at 202) that an aggregate of calculated uplink transmit power (or total calculated uplink transmit power) of concurrent uplink transmissions of the UE over wireless connections (that involve multiple wireless access network nodes) exceeds a threshold. A UE is able to calculate uplink transmit power for each of the concurrent uplink transmissions. Concurrent uplink transmissions refer to uplink transmissions of the UE where at least some portion of the uplink transmissions overlap one another in time (in other words, the uplink transmissions can overlap partially or fully). Each of at least two of the wireless access network nodes includes a corresponding separate scheduler (e.g. MAC scheduler) for individually scheduling uplink transmissions of the UE.”: [0029]-[0031]; NOTE: determin uplink transmit power for first wireless access point and determin uplink transmit power for the second wireless access point separately ; [0037]);
wherein a sum of all the separate configured transmit power values for at least the first link with the first wireless access point and the second link with the second wireless access point does not exceed a maximum allowed transmit power for the wireless device ( “ techniques or mechanisms are provided to allow for control of the power of uplink transmissions from a UE such that the total power of the uplink transmissions of the UE no longer exceeds the total uplink transmit power threshold.”: [0025]; “ uplink transmit power of a UE is shared between all concurrent uplink transmissions. Some dual-connection examples (where the UE is concurrently connected to eNB1 and eNB2) are provided”: [0046]; “In accordance with some implementations, techniques or mechanisms are provided to allow for control of the power of uplink transmissions from a UE such that the total power of the uplink transmissions of the UE no longer exceeds the total uplink transmit power threshold. Such control can be referred to as uplink transmit power sharing control.”{0025]; NOTE: total transmit power of UE does not exceed the maximum allocated transmit power of the UE; [0059]; [0079]-[0080]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the teaching of STERN-BERKOWITZ to include the above recited limitations as taught by BLANKENSHIP. The suggestion/motivation would be to ensure that higher priority uplink transmissions can be successfully received by the network. (BLANKENSHIP: [0077]).
The combination of STERN-BERKOWITZ and BLANKENSHIP do not expressively disclose:
receiving, from the UE, a power headroom report to a network node, and
wherein the priority of each of the first link with the first wireless access point and the second link with the second wireless access point is determined based on one or more of: the power headroom report, a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) of the wireless device ,a Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ) of the wireless device, a buffer status of the wireless device, and a priority of a corresponding contemporaneous link.
RYOO , in the same field of endeavor, discloses:
receiving, from the UE, a power headroom report to a network node (“ . The method for controlling uplink power of a User Equipment (UE) forming a transmission link with a plurality of BSs (BSs), a power headroom report trigger event by at least one of the plurality of BSs is detected. Power headroom information of the UE is reported to at least one of the plurality of BSs.”: [[abstract]; see fig. 2A. 3A, U Sends PHR to network device, ie. MacroSell eNB or Small Cell eNB : [0061]; “ UE 300 estimates a power headroom, and reports the estimated power headroom to a macro BS 304 in operation 320”: [0078]), and
wherein the priority of each of the first link with the first wireless access point and the second link with the second wireless access point is determined based on one or more of: the power headroom report, a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) of the wireless device ,a Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ) of the wireless device, a buffer status of the wireless device, and a priority of a corresponding contemporaneous link (UE detects Power Headroom Report (PHR). PHR with “PHR MAC control element” including a sub header does “channel priority” to connect different network device : [0059]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the teaching of STERN-BERKOWITZ in view BLANKENSHIP to include the above recited limitations as taught by RYOO . The suggestion/motivation would be to have UE supports a transmission link for a plurality of BSs simultaneously and efficient use of wireless resource efficiency can occur (RYOO: [00013], [0072]).
Regarding claim 68, STERN-BERKOWITZ teaches, a method performed in a wireless device (==WTRU 102 in Fig. 1B, Fig. 2A) configured to contemporaneously support at least a first link with a first wireless access point and a second link with a second wireless access point (see Fig. 2B; WTRU 102 is connected two different wireless access points/eNB/Base stations: [0075]; aforesaid WTRU is connected to two different eNBs: [0016]-[0017]; (see fig. 8-9, aforesaid WTRU is in commucnation with multiple wireless access points including eNB1 (==a first wireless access point) and eNB2 (==a second wireless access point) : “FIG. 8-9 illustrates a WTRU connects with multiple eNBs, ie. eNB1 and eNB2 ; FIG. 9 illustrates a WTRU transmitting data and UCI to multiple eNBs;”: [0022]-[0023]; configured maximum transmit power value: [0085]); transmit power management of WTRU : [0117]-[0119]) , the method comprising:
- receiving a separate configured transmit power value for the wireless device for each of the first link with the first wireless access point and the second link with the second wireless access point to be contemporaneously supported (aforesaid WTRU configured maximum output power, Pcmax, c, which may be the value for the CC or for the specific channel of the CC, and cap, e.g., limit, the power to the maximum: [0299]-0303])); and
wherein the separate configured transmit power values are determined (determining, by a first scheduler (aforesaid eNB1 in Fig. 8-9), a first maximum power (==configured transmit power for first link with the first wireless access point in claim) value for a first set of cells configured for a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU); and determining, by the first scheduler, a second maximum power (==configured transmit power for the second link with the second wireless access point ) value for a second set of cells configured for the WTRU: [claim 6 and claim 8]; see Fig. 8-9 connections between aforesaid WTRU 802/902 to eNB1 and well as eNB2; The MeNB (aforesaid eNB1 in Fig. 8-9) may determine one or more of the maximum allowed transmit power per-CC, per-band, per eNB, per scheduler, or per set of configured cells. Any of these determinations may be applicable per WTRU…... For example, the MeNB (aforesaid eNB1 in Fig. 8-9) may do one or more of the following: [0262] The MeNB (aforesaid eNB1 in Fig. 8-9) may determine the maximum power a WTRU is permitted to transmit in each UL CC or cell or set of configured UL CCs or cells that may belong to different eNBs: [0261]; “In some embodiments, systems and methods may be used to control power for a channel that may be or that may be intended to be received by multiple eNBs (==the first wireless access point and the second wireless access point) or cells.”: [0111]; configured maximum transmit power value: [0085]; “A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) may establish communication with a first set of cells and a second set of cells. The first set of cells may be associated with a first scheduler and the second set of cells may be associated with a second scheduler. The maximum allowed transmit power for the WTRU may be determined for and/or distributed across the first set of cells and the second set of cells.”: [0005]; “Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content such as voice, data, and so on. These systems may be multiple-access systems capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing the available system resources (e.g., bandwidth and transmit power). Examples of such multiple-access systems include code division-multiple access (CDMA) systems, time division multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) systems, 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, and orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) systems. ”: [0002]; NOTE: crossed/missed limitation as shown above will be addressed by another reference below);
- applying power control to transmissions on the first link with the first wireless access point and the second link with the second access point based on the configured transmit power value corresponding to each of the first link and the second link (“Uplink transmitter power control in a mobile communication system balances the need for sufficient energy transmitted per bit to achieve a desired quality-of-service (e.g., data rate and error rate), against the need to minimize interference to other users of the system and to maximize the battery life of the mobile terminal. To accomplish this goal, uplink power control has to adapt to the characteristics of the radio propagation channel, including path loss, shadowing, fast fading and interference from other users in the same cell and adjacent cells ”: [0004]; “In some embodiments, the WTRU may determine a PUCCH power control adjustment state g(i), also known as a transmit power control (TPC) factor. [0167] When the WTRU may transmit PUCCH on one set of resources that may be intended for or received by multiple eNBs ”: [0166]-[0167]; aforesaid WTRU adjusts power as instructed by corresponding eNB: [0170]-[0171]).
STERN-BERKOWITZ does not expressively teach:
wherein the separate configured transmit power values are determined based on a priority of each of the first link with the first wireless access point and the second link with the second wireless access point,
wherein a sum of all the separate configured transmit power values for the first link with the first wireless access point and the second link with the second wireless access point does not exceed a maximum allowed transmit power for the wireless device; and
- transmitting a power headroom report to a network node, and
wherein the priority of each of the first link with the first wireless access point and the second link with the second wireless access point is determined based on one or more of :the power headroom report, a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) of the wireless device, a Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ) of the wireless device, a buffer status of the wireless device, and a priority of a corresponding contemporaneous link.
BLANKENSHIP, in the same field of endeavor, discloses:
wherein the separate configured transmit power values are determined based on a priority of each of the first link with the first wireless access point and the second link with the second wireless access point (UE is capable of concurrently connecting to both macro Cell 102 and small cell 112 as shown in Fig. 1 : [0015]; Scheduler of wireless access network node schedules signals transmitted by the UE to the multiples access network nodes, ie. first wireless access point and second wireless access point : [0027]; “UE has concurrent wireless connections with multiple wireless access network nodes (==ie. the first wireless access point and the second wireless access point), prioritization rules can be specified for uplink transmit power sharing control so that each eNB is able to determine what to expect from the UE on an uplink. Various prioritization rules are described further below. A prioritization rule can be pre-configured in the UE. Alternatively, a prioritization rule can be signaled by an eNB to the UE”: [0029]; “ the information relating to the uplink transmit power sharing control can be at least one prioritization rule used by the UE for adjusting one or more uplink transmissions when a power threshold is exceeded”: [0030]; “ The prioritization rule specifying priorities of the uplink transmissions can specify priorities of uplink transmissions over wireless connections provided over different component carriers as well as with multiple wireless access network nodes.”: [0037]); “ UE detects (at 202) that an aggregate of calculated uplink transmit power (or total calculated uplink transmit power) of concurrent uplink transmissions of the UE over wireless connections (that involve multiple wireless access network nodes) exceeds a threshold. A UE is able to calculate uplink transmit power for each of the concurrent uplink transmissions. Concurrent uplink transmissions refer to uplink transmissions of the UE where at least some portion of the uplink transmissions overlap one another in time (in other words, the uplink transmissions can overlap partially or fully). Each of at least two of the wireless access network nodes includes a corresponding separate scheduler (e.g. MAC scheduler) for individually scheduling uplink transmissions of the UE.”: [0029]-[0031]; NOTE: determin uplink transmit power for first wireless access point and determin uplink transmit power for the second wireless access point separately ; [0037]);
wherein a sum of all the separate configured transmit power values for the first link with the first wireless access point and the second link with the second wireless access point does not exceed a maximum allowed transmit power for the wireless device ( “ techniques or mechanisms are provided to allow for control of the power of uplink transmissions from a UE such that the total power of the uplink transmissions of the UE no longer exceeds the total uplink transmit power threshold.”: [0025]; “ uplink transmit power of a UE is shared between all concurrent uplink transmissions. Some dual-connection examples (where the UE is concurrently connected to eNB1 and eNB2) are provided”: [0046]; “In accordance with some implementations, techniques or mechanisms are provided to allow for control of the power of uplink transmissions from a UE such that the total power of the uplink transmissions of the UE no longer exceeds the total uplink transmit power threshold. Such control can be referred to as uplink transmit power sharing control.”{0025]; NOTE: total transmit power of UE does not exceed the maximum allocated transmit power of the UE; [0059]; [0079]-[0080]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the teaching of STERN-BERKOWITZ to include the above recited limitations as taught by BLANKENSHIP. The suggestion/motivation would be to ensure that higher priority uplink transmissions can be successfully received by the network. (BLANKENSHIP: [0077]).
The combination of STERN-BERKOWITZ and BLANKENSHIP do not expressively disclose:
- transmitting a power headroom report to a network node, and
wherein the priority of each of the first link with the first wireless access point and the second link with the second wireless access point is determined based on one or more of :the power headroom report, a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) of the wireless device, a Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ) of the wireless device, a buffer status of the wireless device, and a priority of a corresponding contemporaneous link.
RYOO , in the same field of endeavor, discloses:
- transmitting a power headroom report to a network node (“ . The method for controlling uplink power of a User Equipment (UE) forming a transmission link with a plurality of BSs (BSs), a power headroom report trigger event by at least one of the plurality of BSs is detected. Power headroom information of the UE is reported to at least one of the plurality of BSs.”: [[abstract]; see fig. 2A. 3A, U Sends PHR to network device, ie. MacroSell eNB or Small Cell eNB : [0061]; “ UE 300 estimates a power headroom, and reports the estimated power headroom to a macro BS 304 in operation 320”: [0078]), and
wherein the priority of each of the first link with the first wireless access point and the second link with the second wireless access point is determined based on one or more of :the power headroom report, a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) of the wireless device, a Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ) of the wireless device, a buffer status of the wireless device, and a priority of a corresponding contemporaneous link ( “ in the case where an allocated uplink resource may accept a PHR MAC control element including a sub header as a result of a logic channel priority, or in the case where a power headroom report is triggered,”: [0059]UE detects Power Headroom Report (PHR). PHR with “PHR MAC control element” including a sub header does “channel priority” to connect different network device : [0059]; “ a method for controlling uplink power of a UE forming a transmission link with a plurality of BSs in a wireless communication system is provided. The method includes detecting a power headroom report trigger event by at least one of the plurality of BSs, and reporting power headroom information of the UE to at least one of the plurality of BSs.”: [0015]). “ the UE 120 may detect a power headroom report event based on at least one of a path loss change, an MPR, Scell activation, and power back off by a MAC entity corresponding to at least one BS among two BSs connected via a wireless link. Here, a threshold of a periodic timer, a prohibit timer, a path loss, etc. may be obtained by receiving a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message illustrated in Table 1 below from the macro BS 100. Also, a path loss value may be measured based on reception power of a reference symbol received from the macro BS 100. According to another embodiment, the threshold of the periodic timer, the prohibit timer, and the path loss may be obtained by receiving an RRC message illustrated in Table 1 below from a small BS 110, and the path loss value may be measured based on reception power of a reference symbol received from the small BS 110.”: [0060]
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the teaching of STERN-BERKOWITZ in view BLANKENSHIP to include the above recited limitations as taught by RYOO . The suggestion/motivation would be to have UE supports a transmission link for a plurality of BSs simultaneously and efficient use of wireless resource efficiency can occur (RYOO: [00013], [0072]).
Regarding claim 69, the combination of STERN-BERKOWITZ and BLANKENSHIP, RYOO , specifically, STERN-BERKOWITZ teaches, the method according to claim 68, further comprising:
- determining that contemporaneous transmission will be performed based on having received more than one uplink grant with respect to a subframe k (“The eNB may also provide UL grants to WTRUs for resources of one or more UL cells with the intent of maximizing one or more of coverage, capacity, and throughput while not causing a WTRU to exceed its output power limits which may be its configured maximum output power for each cell and for the WTRU as a whole. These configured maximum output powers may take into account WTRU Powerclass, Pemax,c, and allowed power reductions to enable the WTRU to meet various requirements”: [0117]; aforesaid “WTRU may receive a TPC command from an eNB x, e.g., subframe k, ”: [0200]-[0201]’ aforesaid WTRU determines transmission power based on received subframe k: [0209]-[0210]), and
- applying power control to transmissions on each contemporaneous link in subframe k based on the configured transmit power value corresponding to the respective contemporaneous link (“The processor 118 may perform signal coding, data processing, power control, input/output processing, and/or any other functionality that enables the WTRU 102 to operate in a wireless environment. ”: [0041]; “In some embodiments, systems and methods may be used to control power for a channel that may be received or that may be intended to be received by multiple eNBs or cells. For example, power can be controlled for PUCCH or PUSCH that may be received or that may be intended to be received by multiple eNBs or cells. ”: [0129]; “n some embodiments, the WTRU may set the Pcmax,c for the PUCCH to the lowest value among Pcmax,c for the CC on which it is transmitting and the maximum allowed transmit powers of the other eNBs or cells for which the WTRU transmission may be intended or which may receive the PUCCH transmission”: [0137]).
Regarding claim 70, the claim is interpreted and rejected for the same reason as set forth in claim 68.
Regarding claim 71, the claim is interpreted and rejected for the same reason as set forth in claim 69.
Regarding claim 72, STERN-BERKOWITZ teaches A network node configured for enabling transmit power control of a wireless device that is configured to contemporaneously support at least a first link with a first wireless access point and a second link with a second wireless access point, the network node comprising: a memory comprising instructions; and a processor operable to execute the instructions to cause the processor to:
determine a priority of each of the first link with the first wireless access point and the second link with the second wireless access point to be contemporaneously supported; and
determine, based on the priority of each of the first link with the first wireless access point and the second link with the second wireless access point, a separate configured transmit power value for the wireless device,
wherein a sum of all the separate configured transmit power values for the first link with the first wireless access point and the second link with the second wireless access point does not exceed a maximum allowed transmit power for the wireless device;
transmit at least one of the obtained configured transmit power values to another network node;
and receive, from the UE, a power headroom report to a network node, and wherein the priority of each of the first link with the first wireless access point and the second link with the second wireless access point is determined based on one or more of: the power headroom report, a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) of the wireless device, a Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ) of the wireless device, a buffer status of the wireless device, and a priority of a corresponding contemporaneous link.
( Rest of the claim 72, is interpreted and rejected for the same reason as set forth in claim 65).
Regarding claim 76, STERN-BERKOWITZ in view of BLANKENSHIP, RYOO , specifically, BLANKENSHIP teaches The method according to claim 68, wherein the separate configured transmit power values are determined such that the sum of all the separate configured transmit power values does not exceed the maximum allowed transmit power for the wireless device minus a threshold value ( “ techniques or mechanisms are provided to allow for control of the power of uplink transmissions from a UE such that the total power of the uplink transmissions of the UE no longer exceeds the total uplink transmit power threshold.”: [0025]; “ uplink transmit power of a UE is shared between all concurrent uplink transmissions. Some dual-connection examples (where the UE is concurrently connected to eNB1 and eNB2) are provided”: [0046]; “In accordance with some implementations, techniques or mechanisms are provided to allow for control of the power of uplink transmissions from a UE such that the total power of the uplink transmissions of the UE no longer exceeds the total uplink transmit power threshold. Such control can be referred to as uplink transmit power sharing control.”{0025]; NOTE: total transmit power of UE does not exceed the maximum allocated transmit power of the UE; [0059]; [0079]-[0080]); “ 0024] A total uplink transmit power threshold can be specified for uplink transmissions of a UE to the network. In implementations where a UE has concurrent wireless connections with multiple wireless access network nodes (e.g. multiple concurrent connections with the macro wireless access network node 104 and one or more small cell wireless access network nodes 108), it may be possible for the uplink transmissions over the multiple wireless connections to cause power to exceed the total uplink transmit power threshold.
[0025] In accordance with some implementations, techniques or mechanisms are provided to allow for control of the power of uplink transmissions from a UE such that the total power of the uplink transmissions of the UE no longer exceeds the total uplink transmit power threshold. Such control can be referred to as uplink transmit power sharing control. ”: [0024]-[0025]; [0033]-[0035]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the teaching of STERN-BERKOWITZ , RYOO to include the above recited limitations as taught by BLANKENSHIP. The suggestion/motivation would be to ensure that higher priority uplink transmissions can be successfully received by the network. (BLANKENSHIP: [0077]).
Claims 67 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over STERN-BERKOWITZ in view of BLANKENSHIP, RYOO in view of LEE et al. (US 20160128004 A1; hereinafter as “LEE”).
Regarding claim 67, STERN-BERKOWITZ in view of BLANKENSHIP, RYOO teaches claim 65 as above. STERN-BERKOWITZ in view of BLANKENSHIP teaches do not explicitly disclose: the method according to claim 65, wherein the separate maximum transmit power values are determined such that the sum of all the separate maximum transmit power values does not exceed the maximum allowed transmit power for the wireless device minus a threshold value.
LEE, in the same field of endeavor, discloses:
the method according to claim 65, wherein the separate maximum transmit power values are determined such that the sum of all the separate maximum transmit power values does not exceed the maximum allowed transmit power for the wireless device minus a threshold value ( an interworking entity (hereinafter, referred to as an IWE) can aid UE in selecting a optimal RAT/AP: : [0104]-[0109]; aforesaid IWE determines “ a threshold of power for simultaneous transmission to the first RAT and the second RAT, for example, maximum transmit power Pmax, using the acquired power capability information of the UE, in the multi-RAT capability negotiation process”: [0138]; Pmax is determined sum or the power minus threshold value: [0138]-[0139] ).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made to provide the technique of LEE to the system of STERN-BERKOWITZ in view of BLANKENSHIP, RYOO teaches in order to effectively reduces the operation and maintenance costs of the operator (LEE, [0003]).
Claims 74, 77 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over STERN-BERKOWITZ in view of BLANKENSHIP, RYOO and further in view of Lim et al. (US 20150031410 A1; hereinafter as “Lim”, which has us-provisional-application US 61613991 files on March 03, 2012).
Regarding claim 74, BERKOWITZ in view of BLANKENSHIP, RYOO teaches claim 72/65 as above. BERKOWITZ in view of BLANKENSHIP, RYOO does not explicitly disclose: the network node of claim 72/65, wherein the threshold value is related to a tolerance value for the maximum allowed transmit power for the wireless device.
Lim, in the same field of endeavor, discloses:
wherein the threshold value is related to a tolerance value for the maximum allowed transmit power for the wireless device (“The present invention discloses a method and device for controlling uplink transmit power of a terminal in a wireless access system that supports carrier aggregation/multiple cells. ”: [abstract]; “P.sub.EMAX,c is a value signaled by an eNode B. For instance, the value can be given by IE P-max. P.sub.PowerClass corresponds to maximum transmit power of a user equipment which is given according to a UE class. .DELTA.T.sub.IB,c indicates an additional tolerance value for a serving cell (c).”: [0273]; [0269]-[0271]; “Absolute power tolerance indicates capability of a user equipment capable of configuring an initial output power with a specific value for an initial subframe in which contiguous or non-contiguous transmission having a transmission gap greater than 20 ms begins. In case of transmitting PRACH, the absolute power tolerance is specified in a very first preamble. And, if a transmission gap between subframes is less than 20 ms, the relative power tolerance indicates capability of the user equipment capable of relatively configuring output power of a target subframe in relation to power of a most recently transmitted reference subframe. In case of carrier aggregation, requirements of the aforementioned absolute/relative power tolerance can be applied according to each component carrier (or cell). ”: [0355]; NOTE: tolerance is related to maximum allowable power for the UE.).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made to provide the technique of Lim to the system of BERKOWITZ in view of BLANKENSHIP, RYOO in order to effectively controlling uplink transmit power of a user equipment in a wireless access system supporting carrier aggregation/multiple cells (Lim, [0001]).
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to M MOSTAZIR RAHMAN whose telephone number is (571)272-4785. The examiner can normally be reached 8:30am-5:00pm PST.
Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Derrick Ferris can be reached at 571-272-3123. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
/M Mostazir Rahman/Examiner, Art Unit 2411
/DERRICK W FERRIS/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2411
Prosecution Insights