DETAILED ACTION
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
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and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114.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 7 May 2026 has been entered.
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 Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 7 May 2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
Regarding claims 1-30, the applicant argued, “…any discussion of frequency in Zhang, such as absoluteFrequencySSB1, at best, indicates the frequency position of a neighbor cell’s SSB for the purpose of PDSCH rate matching around that SSB – they do not indicate the frequency location of an active cell’s synchronization signal for the purpose of assisting a UE to detect and access that active cell. Zhang’s signaling is directed to enabling a UE to perform rate matching around known SSB locations, whereas the claimed downlink signal is directed to enabling a UE to discover and detect a synchronization signal of an active-state cell…” on pages 9-12.
In response to applicant’s argument, the examiner respectfully disagrees with the above argument.
In response to applicant's argument that the indication of the frequency location of an active cell’s synchronization signal is “for the purpose” of assisting a UE to detect and access that active cell, a recitation of the intended use of the claimed invention must result in a structural difference between the claimed invention and the prior art in order to patentably distinguish the claimed invention from the prior art. If the prior art structure is capable of performing the intended use, then it meets the claim.
In response to applicant's argument that the references fail to show certain features of the invention, it is noted that the features upon which applicant relies (i.e., assisting a UE to access an active cell) are not recited in the rejected claim(s). Although the claims are interpreted in light of the specification, limitations from the specification are not read into the claims. See In re Van Geuns, 988 F.2d 1181, 26 USPQ2d 1057 (Fed. Cir. 1993).
In ¶¶50-59 Zhang clearly teaches configuring a downlink signal to assist at least one user equipment (UE) to detect a synchronization signal transmitted from at least one cell in an active state (¶¶50-59: configure RRC parameter to provide UE with neighbor-cell SSB location for active neighbor cell SSBs) by indicating a frequency location of the synchronization signal of the active state cell (¶¶55-59: RRC parameters in PDSCH configuration IE indicate frequency location of neighbor cell SSBs so UE can detect the SSBs of the neighbor cell). In Zhang ¶54, TRP 112 transmits PDSCH-config IE in cell 1 indicating whether SSBs transmitted by TRP 116 in cell 2 are active. Zhang ¶51 states that the RRC parameters indicating the SSB location for a neighbor cell is for multi-TRP operation. Zhang ¶55 states that the UE can detect SSBs from the neighbor cell based on a frequency location indicated by the RRC parameters described in ¶¶56-59. Therefore, Zhang teaches that RRC parameters indicating a frequency location of a neighbor cell’s SSB burst are used by a UE for both rate matching and to detect and access the active neighbor cell in multi-TRP operation.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
Claim(s) 1-30 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Zhang et al. WO 2022/073209 A1 (hereinafter referred to as “Zhang”) in view of Malladi et al. EP 2,880,894 B1 (hereinafter referred to as “Malladi”). NOTE: Zhang was cited by the applicant in the IDS received 9 February 2024.
As to claim 1, Zhang teaches a method for wireless communication by a cell, comprising:
configuring a downlink signal to assist at least one user equipment (UE) to detect a synchronization signal transmitted from at least one cell in an active state (¶¶50-59: configure RRC parameter to provide UE with neighbor-cell SSB location for active neighbor cell SSBs) by indicating a frequency location of the synchronization signal of the active state cell (¶¶55-59: RRC parameters in PDSCH configuration IE indicate frequency location of neighbor cell SSBs so UE can detect the SSBs of the neighbor cell); and
transmitting the downlink signal (¶¶50-59: provide/transmit the active neighbor-cell SSB assistance information).
Although Zhang teaches “A method for wireless communication by a cell, comprising: configuring a…transmitting the downlink signal,” Zhang does not explicitly disclose “entering a semi-active…the semi-active state” and “during the semi-active state”.
However, Malladi teaches entering a semi-active state corresponding to an energy-saving mode of operation of the cell, wherein entering the semi-active state is based at least in part on the cell receiving, from a network entity, a trigger signal that triggers the cell to switch into the semi-active state (¶¶71 and 95-96; figures 8A and 11-12: cell enters enhanced new carrier type dormant state based on receiving a trigger from another eNodeB);
configuring a downlink signal to assist at least one user equipment (UE) to detect a synchronization signal; and
transmitting the downlink signal during the semi-active state (¶¶71-73: configure and transmit downlink signals at a low duty cycle to save energy, the downlink signals including synchronization signals to help UEs to detect ideal synchronization signals).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to improve upon the method described in Zhang by including “entering a semi-active…the semi-active state” and “during the semi-active state” as taught by Malladi because it provides Zhang’s method with the enhanced capability of reducing energy usage of the cell while still providing synchronization support to UEs (Malladi, ¶¶71-73 and 95-96; figures 8A and 11-12).
As to claim 2, Zhang in view of Malladi teaches the method of claim 1. Zhang further teaches wherein:
the downlink signal is configured to indicate implicitly at least one frequency channel corresponding to the at least one cell in the active state (¶¶52-59).
As to claim 3, Zhang in view of Malladi teaches the method of claim 2. Zhang further teaches wherein:
the downlink signal is configured to indicate implicitly that the at least one frequency channel is within a pre-configured range on a frequency raster (¶¶52-59).
As to claim 4, Zhang in view of Malladi teaches the method of claim 2. Zhang further teaches wherein:
the downlink signal is configured to indicate implicitly that the at least one frequency channel is not within a pre-configured range on a frequency raster (¶¶52-59).
As to claim 5, Zhang in view of Malladi teaches the method of claim 1. Zhang further teaches wherein:
the downlink signal is configured to indicate explicitly at least one frequency channel corresponding to the at least one cell in the active state (¶¶52-59).
As to claim 6, Zhang in view of Malladi teaches the method of claim 5. Zhang further teaches wherein:
the downlink signal is configured to indicate explicitly that the at least one frequency channel is within a specified range on a frequency raster (¶¶52-59).
As to claim 7, Zhang in view of Malladi teaches the method of claim 5. Zhang further teaches wherein:
the downlink signal is configured to indicate explicitly that the at least one frequency channel is not within a specified range on a frequency raster (¶¶52-59).
As to claim 8, Zhang in view of Malladi teaches the method of claim 7. Zhang further teaches further comprising:
receiving an uplink request for additional assistance information from the at least one UE;
configuring an additional downlink signal to provide the additional assistance information based at least in part on the uplink request; and
transmitting the additional downlink signal to the at least one UE (¶¶52-59).
As to claim 9, Zhang in view of Malladi teaches the method of claim 1. Zhang further teaches wherein configuring the downlink signal comprises:
configuring the downlink signal according to a default configuration (¶¶51-52).
As to claim 10, Zhang in view of Malladi teaches the method of claim 1. Zhang further teaches wherein configuring the downlink signal comprises:
receiving a request to configure the downlink signal; and
configuring the downlink signal based at least in part on the request (¶¶50-59).
As to claim 11, Zhang in view of Malladi teaches the method of claim 1. Zhang further teaches wherein transmitting the downlink signal comprises:
transmitting the downlink signal on a synchronization raster (¶¶50-59).
As to claim 12, Zhang in view of Malladi teaches the method of claim 11. Zhang further teaches wherein:
the synchronization raster is a legacy synchronization raster (¶¶50-59).
As to claim 13, Zhang in view of Malladi teaches the method of claim 11. Zhang further teaches wherein:
the synchronization raster is different from a legacy synchronization raster (¶¶50-59).
As to claim 14, Zhang in view of Malladi teaches the method of claim 11. Zhang further teaches wherein:
the synchronization raster is selected from a plurality of synchronization rasters based at least in part on a configuration of the downlink signal (¶¶50-59).
As to claim 15, Zhang in view of Malladi teaches the method of claim 11. Zhang further teaches wherein configuring the downlink signal comprises:
configuring the downlink signal to indicate at least one other synchronization raster, wherein the at least one other synchronization raster is adapted to carry at least one other downlink signal configured to assist the at least one UE to detect the synchronization signal transmitted from the at least one cell in the active state (¶¶50-59).
As to claim 16, Zhang in view of Malladi teaches the method of claim 1. Zhang further teaches wherein transmitting the downlink signal comprises:
transmitting the downlink signal with a default periodicity (¶¶50-52).
As to claim 17, Zhang in view of Malladi teaches the method of claim 1. Zhang further teaches wherein transmitting the downlink signal comprises:
transmitting the downlink signal with a pre-configured periodicity, wherein the pre-configured periodicity is different from a default periodicity (¶¶50-52).
As to claim 18, Zhang in view of Malladi teaches the method of claim 1. Zhang further teaches wherein transmitting the downlink signal comprises:
transmitting the downlink signal with a configurable periodicity (¶¶50-52).
As to claim 19, Zhang in view of Malladi teaches the method of claim 1. Zhang further teaches wherein transmitting the downlink signal comprises:
transmitting the downlink signal in a beam-sweeping manner (¶¶49-52).
As to claim 20, Zhang in view of Malladi teaches the method of claim 1. Zhang further teaches wherein (i) the downlink signal comprises at most two symbols, (ii) the downlink signal is configured to indicate that at least one frequency channel is within a pre-configured range on a frequency raster or to indicate that the at least one frequency channel is not within a pre-configured range on the frequency raster and the pre-configured range exceeds a threshold, or a combination of (i) and (ii) (¶¶50-59).
As to claim 21, Zhang in view of Malladi teaches the method of claim 1. Zhang further teaches wherein the downlink signal comprises:
a reference signal in a preamble; and
additional assistance information (¶¶50-52).
As to claim 22, Zhang in view of Malladi teaches the method of claim 21. Zhang further teaches wherein:
the additional assistance information comprises one or more of:
periodicity information, cell identification information, synchronization raster offset information (¶¶50-52).
As to claim 23, Zhang in view of Malladi teaches the method of claim 1. Zhang further teaches further comprising:
receiving, from a network entity, information for configuring the downlink signal (¶¶50-52).
As to claim 24, Zhang in view of Malladi teaches the method of claim 1. Zhang further teaches further comprising:
determining that the at least one UE has established a connection with the at least one cell in the active state; and
transmitting additional assistance information to the at least one UE based at least in part on the determining,
wherein the additional assistance information is configured to assist the at least one UE with one or more of: a subsequent access procedure, a cell re-selection procedure, and a radio resource management (RRM) measurements procedure (¶¶50-59 and 74).
As to claim 25, Zhang in view of Malladi teaches the method of claim 1. Zhang further teaches further comprising:
receiving a notification that the at least one UE has received the downlink signal (¶¶50-59 and 74).
As to claim 26, Zhang in view of Malladi teaches the method of claim 1. Zhang further teaches wherein configuring the downlink signal comprises
configuring the downlink signal to assist the at least one UE to detect the synchronization signal transmitted from the at least one cell in the active state on a synchronization raster; and wherein transmitting the downlink signal comprises
transmitting the downlink signal during the semi-active state on a frequency raster which is different from said synchronization raster (¶¶50-59).
As to claim 27, claim 27 is rejected the same way as claim 1.
As to claim 28, claim 28 is rejected the same way as claim 8.
As to claim 29, claim 29 is rejected the same way as claim 1.
As to claim 30, Zhang teaches a method for wireless communication by at least one first cell and at least one second cell, comprising:
configuring, at the at least one first cell at least one first downlink signal, and at the at least one second cell at least one second downlink signal, to assist at least one user equipment (UE) to detect on at least one frequency channel a synchronization signal transmitted from at least one cell in an active state (¶¶50-59: configure RRC parameter to provide UE with neighbor-cell SSB location for active neighbor cell SSBs) by indicating a frequency location of the synchronization signal of the active state cell (¶¶55-59: RRC parameters in PDSCH configuration IE indicate frequency location of neighbor cell SSBs so UE can detect the SSBs of the neighbor cell);
wherein the at least one first downlink signal is configured to indicate that the at least one frequency channel is within a pre-configured range on a frequency raster, and wherein the at least one second downlink signal is configured to indicate that the at least one frequency channel is not within a pre-configured range on a frequency raster (¶¶52-59: indicate resource blocks where neighbor SSBs are and resource blocks where neighbor SSBs are not); and
transmitting the at least one first downlink signal from the at least one first cell, and the at least one second downlink signal from the at least one second cell (¶¶50-52: provide/transmit the active neighbor-cell SSB assistance information).
Although Zhang teaches “A method for wireless communication by at least one first cell and at least one second cell, comprising: configuring, at…from the at least one second cell,” Zhang does not explicitly disclose “entering, at…the semi-active state” and “during the semi-active…one second cell”.
However, Malladi teaches entering, at the at least one first cell and at the at least one second cell, a semi-active state corresponding to an energy-saving mode of operation of the at least one first cell and the at least one second cell, wherein entering the semi-active state by the at least one first cell is based at least in part on the at least one first cell receiving, from a network entity, a trigger signal that triggers the at least one first cell to switch into the semi-active state, and wherein entering the semi-active state by the at least one second cell is based at least in part on the at least one second cell receiving, from the network entity, a trigger signal that triggers the at least one second cell to switch into the semi-active state (¶¶71 and 95-96; figures 8A and 11-12: cells enter enhanced new carrier type dormant state based on receiving a trigger from another eNodeB);
configuring, at the at least one first cell at least one first downlink signal, and at the at least one second cell at least one second downlink signal, to assist at least one user equipment (UE) to detect on at least one frequency channel a synchronization signal; and
transmitting the at least one first downlink signal from the at least one first cell, and the at least one second downlink signal from the at least one second cell, during the semi-active state corresponding to an energy-saving mode of operation of the at least one first cell and the at least one second cell (¶¶71-73: configure and transmit downlink signals at a low duty cycle to save energy, the downlink signals including synchronization signals to help UEs to detect ideal synchronization signals).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to improve upon the method described in Zhang by including “entering a semi-active…the semi-active state” and “during the semi-active state” as taught by Malladi because it provides Zhang’s method with the enhanced capability of reducing energy usage of the cell while still providing synchronization support to UEs (Malladi, ¶¶71-73 and 95-96; figures 8A and 11-12).
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 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 JUSTIN T VAN ROIE whose telephone number is (571)270-0308. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Ian N Moore can be reached at 571-272-3085. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/JUSTIN T VAN ROIE/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2469
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