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 communication is in response to the amendment of 4/10/2026. All changes made to the claims have been entered. Accordingly, Claims 1-5, 7-10, 12-18, 22, 44 are currently pending in the application.
Claim Objections
Claim 1, 7, 8, 10, 22, 44, is objected to because of the following informalities:
Claim 1 recites “,HD-FDD,”. Examiner believes such subject matter should be amended to “(HD-FDD)” similar to (UL-CI).
Claim 7 recites “,CORESET,” and “,SS,”. Examiner believes such subject matter should be amended to “(CORESET)” and “(SS)”.
Claim 8 recites “,RRC,”. Examiner believes such subject matter should be amended to “(RRC)”.
Claim 10 recites “,RNTI,”. Examiner believes such subject matter should be amended to “(RNTI)”.
Claim 22 recites “,HD-FDD,”. Examiner believes such subject matter should be amended to “(HD-FDD)” similar to (UL-CI).
Claim 44 recites “,HD-FDD,”. Examiner believes such subject matter should be amended to “(HD-FDD)” similar to (UL-CI).
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claim 1, 7, 12, 14, 17, 18, 22, 44 (dependent claims also being rejected since they are dependent upon rejected claims set forth) is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the downlink signal" in lines 15-20. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. It is unclear of if “the downlink signal” is referring to “a downlink control signal” introduced in the independent claim or is a different signal.
Claim 7 recites the limitation "the downlink signal" in lines 5. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 12 recites the limitation "the downlink signal" in lines 2-4. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 14 recites the subject matter of “RRC”. It is however unclear on what is meant by RRC. Examiner suggests defining such subject matter.
Claim 17 recites the limitation "the downlink signal" in lines 2. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 18 recites the limitation "the downlink signal" in lines 2. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 22 recites the limitation "the downlink signal" in lines 15. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. It is unclear of if “the downlink signal” is referring to “a downlink control signal” introduced in the independent claim or is a different signal.
Claim 44 recites the limitation "the downlink signal" in lines 18-25. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. It is unclear of if “the downlink signal” is referring to “a downlink control signal” introduced in the independent claim or is a different signal.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) 1-5, 7-10, 12-18, 22, 44 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.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Kishiyama et al. (US 2013/0301486) disclosing selectively performing transmission of the uplink signal and reception of the downlink signal, based on a priority relationship ([0009] and [0028] and [0107]).
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 NGUYEN HOANG NGO whose telephone number is (571)272-8398. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 9am-5pm.
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, Kwang Yao can be reached at 571-272-3182. 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.
/NGUYEN H NGO/Examiner, Art Unit 2473
Prosecution Insights