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
This Action is in response to Applicant’s amendment filed on 04/23/2026. Claims 1, 4-8, 10-18, 21 and 23-26 are still pending in the present application. This Action is made FINAL.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments with respect to claims 1, 4-8, 10-18, 21 and 23-26 have been considered but are moot in view of the new ground(s) of rejection.
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 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 of this title, 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.
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.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims under 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 35 U.S.C. 103(c) and potential 35 U.S.C. 102(e), (f) or (g) prior art under 35 U.S.C. 103(a).
Claims 1, 4, 6, 10-16, 21, 23 and 25 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being un-patentable over Cai US Patent No.:( US 11,191,036 B2) hereinafter referred as Cai, in view of Zhang US Patent Application No.:(US 2018/0249429 A1) hereinafter referred as Zhang.
For claim 1, Cai teaches a method performed by a first user equipment (UE), the method comprising:
obtaining a first power based at least in part on path-loss of a link between the first (UE) and a base station (S604 figure 7)(S606a fig. 7) (Column 14, lines 60-67)- (Column 15, lines 1-8 ), (Column 24, lines 31-36) (Column 24, lines 65-67) and a first set of one or more network parameters configured by the base station (Column 13, lines 20-26) and (Column 20, lines 6-12);
obtaining a second power based at least in part on path-loss of a sidelink between the first (UE) and a second (UE) (S602b fig. 7) (Column 23, lines 12-19) (Column 24, lines 17-21) and (Column 12, lines 45-48) and a second set of the one or more network parameters configured by the base station (Column 13, lines 26-32) and (Column 19, lines 61-67). However, Cai disclose all the subject matter of the claimed invention with the exemption of the comparing the first power and the second power; selecting, based at least in part on the comparing, a lesser one of the first power and the second power; and transmitting data on the sidelink using the selected lesser one of the first power and the second power as transmission power, wherein the first set of one or more network parameters and the second set of one or more network parameters are each additional to the path-loss of the link between the first UE and the base station and the path-loss of the sidelink between the first UE and the second UE and are configured by the base station in a Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH) resource configuration for the sidelink as recited in claim 1.
Zhang from the same or analogous art teaches the comparing the first power and the second power (paragraph [0027], lines 2-5);
selecting, based at least in part on the comparing, a lesser one of the first power and the second power (paragraph [0027], lines 5-9); and
transmitting data on the sidelink using the selected lesser one of the first power and the second power as transmission power (paragraphs [0028]-[0029], lines 1-7), wherein the first set of one or more network parameters and the second set of one or more network parameters are each additional to the path-loss of the link between the first UE and the base station and the path-loss of the sidelink between the first UE and the second UE (paragraphs [0045] and [0050], lines 1-8) and are configured by the base station in a Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH) resource configuration for the sidelink (paragraphs [0073], lines 1-9). Therefore, it would have been obvious for the person of ordinary skill in the art at the time of filling to use the comparing the first power and the second power; selecting, based at least in part on the comparing, a lesser one of the first power and the second power; and transmitting data on the sidelink using the selected lesser one of the first power and the second power as transmission power, wherein the first set of one or more network parameters and the second set of one or more network parameters are each additional to the path-loss of the link between the first UE and the base station and the path-loss of the sidelink between the first UE and the second UE and are configured by the base station in a Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH) resource configuration for the sidelink as taught by Zhang into the power control based on path loss and power value of Cai.
The comparing the first power and the second power; selecting, based at least in part on the comparing, a lesser one of the first power and the second power; and transmitting data on the sidelink using the selected lesser one of the first power and the second power as transmission power, wherein the first set of one or more network parameters and the second set of one or more network parameters are each additional to the path-loss of the link between the first UE and the base station and the path-loss of the sidelink between the first UE and the second UE and are configured by the base station in a Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH) resource configuration for the sidelink can be modify/implemented by combining the comparing the first power and the second power; selecting, based at least in part on the comparing, a lesser one of the first power and the second power; and transmitting data on the sidelink using the selected lesser one of the first power and the second power as transmission power, wherein the first set of one or more network parameters and the second set of one or more network parameters are each additional to the path-loss of the link between the first UE and the base station and the path-loss of the sidelink between the first UE and the second UE and are configured by the base station in a Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH) resource configuration for the sidelink with the device. This process is implemented as a hardware solution or as firmware solutions of Zhang into the power control based on path loss and power value of Cai. As disclosed in Zhang, the motivation for the combination would be to use the Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH) that reduce latency, enhanced reliability through HARQ feedback, improved system capacity for large-scale deployments like industrial IoT, and direct, network-bypassing communication for devices like those in Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) or public safety scenarios. In addition the comparison of the powers and selecting the best power for a good communication with a better signal strength, becoming the method/device more efficient and reliable with good QOS.
For claim 4, Cai teaches the method, further comprising: if the first power is less than the second power, comparing a quality-of-service parameter of the sidelink and a threshold value (column 1, lines 50-67); and
transmitting data on the sidelink using the first power based on a comparison result of the quality-of-service parameter and the threshold value (column 9, lines 35-38).
For claim 6, Cai teaches the method, wherein:
transmitting data on the sidelink using the first power is further based on determining, based on the comparison result, that the quality-of-service parameter is equal to or above the threshold value (column 12, lines 29-31) and (column 14, lines 28-35).
For claim 10, Cai teaches the method, further comprising: transmitting a power adjustment request to the base station (column 13, lines 20-28); adjusting the transmission power upon receipt of a power adjustment command from the base station (column 20, lines 6-10); and transmitting data on the sidelink using the adjusted transmission power (column 24, lines 31-38).
For claim 11, Cai teaches the method, wherein the power adjustment command is a transmission power control command (column 9, lines 63-67)- (column 10, lines 1-9).
For claim 12, Cai teaches the method, wherein the power adjustment command comprises a power adjustment amount (column 14, lines 45-50).
For claim 13, Cai teaches a method performed by a base station, the method comprising:
receiving a power adjustment request from the first UE in response to the first UE determining that it cannot meet a sidelink reception quality for the second UE based at least in part on the first UE transmitting data on a sidelink between the first UE and the second UE using a lesser one of a first power and a second power (column 14, lines 35-47);
transmitting the power adjustment command to the first UE, wherein the power adjustment command is used to adjust transmission power on the sidelink between the first UE and a second UE (column 15, lines 45-57). However, Cai disclose all the subject matter of the claimed invention with the exemption of the configuring a first set of one or more network parameters and a second set of one or more network parameters in a Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH) resource configuration for a sidelink between a first user equipment (UE) and a second user equipment UE; the first power determined based at least in part on path-loss of a link between the first UE and the base station and the first set of one or more network parameters, and the second power determined based at least in part on path-loss of the sidelink and the second set of one or more network parameters; generating a power adjustment command in response to the power adjustment request as recited in claim 13.
Zhang from the same or analogous art teaches the configuring a first set of one or more network parameters and a second set of one or more network parameters in a Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH) resource configuration for a sidelink between a first user equipment (UE) and a second user equipment UE (paragraphs [0073], lines 1-9); the first power determined based at least in part on path-loss of a link between the first UE and the base station and the first set of one or more network parameters, and the second power determined based at least in part on path-loss of the sidelink and the second set of one or more network parameters (paragraphs [0045] and [0050], lines 1-8); generating a power adjustment command in response to the power adjustment request (paragraphs [0105]-[0106], lines 1-4). Therefore, it would have been obvious for the person of ordinary skill in the art at the time of filling to use the configuring a first set of one or more network parameters and a second set of one or more network parameters in a Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH) resource configuration for a sidelink between a first user equipment (UE) and a second user equipment UE; the first power determined based at least in part on path-loss of a link between the first UE and the base station and the first set of one or more network parameters, and the second power determined based at least in part on path-loss of the sidelink and the second set of one or more network parameters; generating a power adjustment command in response to the power adjustment request as taught by Zhang into the power control based on path loss and power value of Cai.
The configuring a first set of one or more network parameters and a second set of one or more network parameters in a Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH) resource configuration for a sidelink between a first user equipment (UE) and a second user equipment UE; the first power determined based at least in part on path-loss of a link between the first UE and the base station and the first set of one or more network parameters, and the second power determined based at least in part on path-loss of the sidelink and the second set of one or more network parameters; generating a power adjustment command in response to the power adjustment request can be modify/implemented by combining the configuring a first set of one or more network parameters and a second set of one or more network parameters in a Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH) resource configuration for a sidelink between a first user equipment (UE) and a second user equipment UE; the first power determined based at least in part on path-loss of a link between the first UE and the base station and the first set of one or more network parameters, and the second power determined based at least in part on path-loss of the sidelink and the second set of one or more network parameters; generating a power adjustment command in response to the power adjustment request with the device. This process is implemented as a hardware solution or as firmware solutions of Zhang into the power control based on path loss and power value of Cai. As disclosed in Zhang, the motivation for the combination would be to use the Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH) that reduce latency, enhanced reliability through HARQ feedback, improved system capacity for large-scale deployments like industrial IoT, and direct, network-bypassing communication for devices like those in Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) or public safety scenarios. In addition the comparison of the powers and selecting the best power for a good communication with a better signal strength, becoming the method/device more efficient and reliable with good QOS.
For claim 14, Cai teaches the method, wherein the power adjustment command is a transmission power control command (column 9, lines 63-67)- (column 10, lines 1-9).
For claim 15, Cai teaches the method, wherein the power adjustment command comprises a power adjustment amount (column 14, lines 45-50).
For claim 16, Cai teaches the method, further comprising: adjusting transmission power on a link between the first UE and the base station (S606a and S606b fig. 7) (Column 24, lines 65-67)- (Column 25, lines 5-8).
For claim 21, Cai teaches an apparatus comprising a first user equipment, the apparatus further comprising:
at least one memory;
and at least one processor coupled with the at least one memory and configured to cause the first UE to:
obtain a first power based at least in part on path-loss of a link between the first UE and a base station (S604 figure 7)(S606a fig. 7) (Column 14, lines 60-67)- (Column 15, lines 1-8 ), (Column 24, lines 31-36) (Column 24, lines 65-67) and a first set of one or more network parameters configured by the base station (Column 13, lines 20-26) and (Column 20, lines 6-12);
obtain a second power based at least in part on path-loss of a sidelink between the first user equipment and a second UE (S602b fig. 7) (Column 23, lines 12-19) (Column 24, lines 17-21) and (Column 12, lines 45-48) and a second set of the one or more network parameters configured by the base station (Column 13, lines 26-32) and (Column 19, lines 61-67). However, Cai disclose all the subject matter of the claimed invention with the exemption of the compare the first power and the second power; select, based at least in part on the comparing, a lesser one of the first power and the second power; and transmit data on the sidelink using the selected lesser one of the first power and the second power as transmission power, wherein the first set of one or more network parameters and the second set of one or more network parameters are each additional to the path-loss of the link between the first UE and the base station and the path-loss of the sidelink between the first UE and the second UE and are configured by the base station in a Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH) resource configuration for the sidelink as recited in claim 21.
Zhang from the same or analogous art teaches the compare the first power and the second power (paragraph [0027], lines 2-5); select, based at least in part on the comparing, a lesser one of the first power and the second power (paragraph [0027], lines 5-9); and transmit data on the sidelink using the selected lesser one of the first power and the second power as transmission power (paragraphs [0028]-[0029], lines 1-7), wherein the first set of one or more network parameters and the second set of one or more network parameters are each additional to the path-loss of the link between the first UE and the base station and the path-loss of the sidelink between the first UE and the second UE (paragraphs [0045] and [0050], lines 1-8) and are configured by the base station in a Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH) resource configuration for the sidelink (paragraphs [0073], lines 1-9).
Therefore, it would have been obvious for the person of ordinary skill in the art at the time of filling to use the compare the first power and the second power; select, based at least in part on the comparing, a lesser one of the first power and the second power; and transmit data on the sidelink using the selected lesser one of the first power and the second power as transmission power, wherein the first set of one or more network parameters and the second set of one or more network parameters are each additional to the path-loss of the link between the first UE and the base station and the path-loss of the sidelink between the first UE and the second UE and are configured by the base station in a Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH) resource configuration for the sidelink as taught by Zhang into the power control based on path loss and power value of Cai.
The compare the first power and the second power; select, based at least in part on the comparing, a lesser one of the first power and the second power; and transmit data on the sidelink using the selected lesser one of the first power and the second power as transmission power, wherein the first set of one or more network parameters and the second set of one or more network parameters are each additional to the path-loss of the link between the first UE and the base station and the path-loss of the sidelink between the first UE and the second UE and are configured by the base station in a Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH) resource configuration for the sidelink can be modify/implemented by combining the compare the first power and the second power; select, based at least in part on the comparing, a lesser one of the first power and the second power; and transmit data on the sidelink using the selected lesser one of the first power and the second power as transmission power, wherein the first set of one or more network parameters and the second set of one or more network parameters are each additional to the path-loss of the link between the first UE and the base station and the path-loss of the sidelink between the first UE and the second UE and are configured by the base station in a Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH) resource configuration for the sidelink with the device. This process is implemented as a hardware solution or as firmware solutions of Zhang into the power control based on path loss and power value of Cai. As disclosed in Zhang, the motivation for the combination would be to use the Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH) that reduce latency, enhanced reliability through HARQ feedback, improved system capacity for large-scale deployments like industrial IoT, and direct, network-bypassing communication for devices like those in Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) or public safety scenarios. In addition the comparison of the powers and selecting the best power for a good communication with a better signal strength, becoming the method/device more efficient and reliable with good QOS.
For claim 23, Cai teaches the method, wherein: the first power is a function of the path-loss of the link between the first UE and the base station and the one or more network parameters configured by the base station (S604 fig. 7) ( column 24, lines 23-32); and the second power is a function of the path-loss of the sidelink and the one or more network parameters (S603 fig. 7) ( column 24, lines 33-38).
For claim 25 Cai teaches the UE, wherein: the first power is a function of the path-loss of the link between the first UE and the base station and the one or more network parameters configured by the base station (S604 fig. 7) ( column 24, lines 23-32); and the second power is a function of the path-loss of the sidelink and the one or more network parameters (S603 fig. 7) ( column 24, lines 33-38).
Claims 5, 7 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being un-patentable over Cai US Patent No.:( US 11,191,036 B2) hereinafter referred as Cai, in view of Zhang US Patent Application No.:(US 2018/0249429 A1) hereinafter referred as Zhang, in further view of Li US Patent Application No.:(US 2018/0049129 A1) hereinafter referred as Li.
For claim 5, Cai disclose all the subject matter of the claimed invention with the exemption of the transmitting data on the sidelink using the first power is further based on determining, based on the comparison result, that the quality-of-service parameter is equal to or below the threshold value as recited in claim 5.
Li from the same or analogous art teaches the transmitting data on the sidelink using the first power is further based on determining, based on the comparison result, that the quality-of-service parameter is equal to or below the threshold value (paragraphs [0145], lines 1-7 and [0164], lines 3-31). Therefore, it would have been obvious for the person of ordinary skill in the art at the time of filling to use the transmitting data on the sidelink using the first power is further based on determining, based on the comparison result, that the quality-of-service parameter is equal to or below the threshold value as taught by Li into the power control based on path loss and power value of Cai.
The transmitting data on the sidelink using the first power is further based on determining, based on the comparison result, that the quality-of-service parameter is equal to or below the threshold value can be modify/implemented by combining the transmitting data on the sidelink using the first power is further based on determining, based on the comparison result, that the quality-of-service parameter is equal to or below the threshold value with the device. This process is implemented as a hardware solution or as firmware solutions of Li into the power control based on path loss and power value of Cai. As disclosed in Li, the motivation for the combination would be to use the transmitting data on the sidelink using the first power is further based on determining, based on the comparison result, that the quality-of-service parameter is equal to or below the threshold value, the comparison of the powers and selecting the best power for a good communication with a better signal strength make the method/device more efficient and reliable with good QOS.
For claim 7, Cai disclose all the subject matter of the claimed invention with the exemption of the quality-of-service parameter includes a priority level, a latency, a reliability, or some combination thereof as recited in claim 7.
Li from the same or analogous art teaches the quality-of-service parameter includes a priority level, a latency, a reliability, or some combination thereof (paragraph [0082], lines 1-7). Therefore, it would have been obvious for the person of ordinary skill in the art at the time of filling to use the quality-of-service parameter includes a priority level, a latency, a reliability, or some combination thereof as taught by Li into the power control based on path loss and power value of Cai.
The quality-of-service parameter includes a priority level, a latency, a reliability, or some combination thereof can be modify/implemented by combining the quality-of-service parameter includes a priority level, a latency, a reliability, or some combination thereof with the device. This process is implemented as a hardware solution or as firmware solutions of Li into the power control based on path loss and power value of Cai. As disclosed in Li, the motivation for the combination would be to use the quality-of-service parameter including a priority level, a latency, a reliability, or some combination thereof that will help the communication to be more efficient and reliable for a better communication.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 8, 17-18, 24 and 26 are objected as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
Conclusion
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). 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 extension fee 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 date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JOSEPH AREVALO whose telephone number is (571)270-3121. The examiner can normally be reached on M-F 8:30-5:00 PM.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Rafael Perez-Gutierrez can be reached on (571)272-7915. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/JOSEPH AREVALO/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2642
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