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 .
This office action is a response to an application filed on 05/26/2026 in which claims 1, 3-7, 11 and 13-17 are pending. Claims 2, 8-10, 12 and 18-20 were canceled.
Response to Amendments
Applicant’s Arguments/Remarks filed on 05/26/2026 with respect to amended independent claim 1 have been fully considered and are addressed below. A new grounds of rejection is presented The claims have not overcome the claim rejections as shown below.
Claims 1, 3-7, 11 and 13-17 are pending.
Claims 2, 8-10, 12 and 18-20 were canceled.
Response to Arguments
Regarding amended independent claim 1, Applicant argues that Zhang does not disclose “a sensing interval that is a time duration spanned by two sensing slots” because “the cited portions of Zhang only describe "perform[ing] channel sensing on pre-defined SL SS/PBCH resource (the sensing time is depend on a random value in terms of ms)"-that is, Zhang only describes the "first type of channel access procedure" from Applicant's specification”.
Based on the amendments to the claim, further search was conducted resulting in the new ground of rejection presented below. The newly found prior art of Lee et al. (US 2022/0225408), hereinafter “Lee” discloses the amended features of claim 1 as shown below in the Office Action.
Therefore, the amended independent claim 1 is rendered unpatentable. Independent claim 11 recites similar distinguishing features as claim 1, thus is also rendered unpatentable. As a result the features of the claims are shown by the cited references as set forth below.
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 1, 3-7, 11 and 13-17 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 applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Claim 1 recites “sensing a sidelink channel for at least a sensing interval that is a time duration spanned by two sensing slots” and “wherein the time duration of the sidelink transmission burst”. It is not clear how a time duration used for sensing is the time duration of the sidelink transmission burst, rendering the claim indefinite. The sensing is a procedure that occurs before the sidelink transmission burst. Thus, performing the sensing during a time duration spanned by two sensing slots occurs before a time duration of the sidelink transmission burst. For examination purposes, the Examiner interpreted “a time duration spanned by two sensing slots” and “the time duration of the sidelink transmission burst” as different time durations.
The same rationale applies to independent claim 11.
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 1, 3, 5-7, 11, 13 and 15-17 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Zhang et al. (US 2021/0168574) (provided in the IDS), hereinafter “Zhang” in view of Liu et al. (US 2023/0246790), hereinafter “Liu” and further in view of Lee et al. (US 2022/0225408), hereinafter “Lee”.
As to claim 1, Zhang teaches a first user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system (Zhang, Fig. 1E, 1F, Fig. 4, [0166], Fig. 13, a WTRU (UE) in a wireless network), the first UE comprising:
a transceiver (Zhang, Fig. 1F, [0127], the UE includes a transceiver 120); and
a processor coupled with the transceiver and configured to (Zhang, [0126]-[0127], Fig. 1F, the WTRU (UE) includes a processor 118, coupled to the transceiver 120, to perform the functions of the UE):
perform a channel access procedure for a sidelink transmission burst (Zhang, [0197], “If UE is out of coverage, before sending SL SS/PBCH, it has to perform channel sensing on pre-defined SL SS/PBCH resource (the sensing time is depend on a random value in terms of ms), if channel is clean after sensing time is completed then it can start to transmit the SL SS/PBCH, otherwise, it indicates other UE has transmitted SL SS/SSPBCH”. The UE performs channel sensing during a sensing time for a SL SS/PBCH. [0009], [0192] and Figs 7, 8A, 9, 10, 11A-B and 13 show that the SL SS/PBCH burst set transmitted by the UE starts with the SL SS/PBCH. [0198] further indicates that the UE is transmitting SL SS/PBCH burst set. Thus, the channel sensing during the sensing time is for the SL SS/PBCH burst set which starts with the SL SS/PBCH transmitted by the UE) including multiple sidelink synchronization signals and physical SL broadcast channel (PSBCH) blocks (S-SSBs) (Zhang, Figs 7, 8A, 9, 10, 11A-B and 13, the SL SS/PBCH burst set include SPSS, SSSS and PBCH blocks), the channel access procedure including sensing a sidelink channel for at least a sensing interval that is a time duration (Zhang, [0197], “If UE is out of coverage, before sending SL SS/PBCH, it has to perform channel sensing on pre-defined SL SS/PBCH resource (the sensing time is depend on a random value in terms of ms), if channel is clean after sensing time is completed then it can start to transmit the SL SS/PBCH, otherwise, it indicates other UE has transmitted SL SS/SSPBCH”. The UE performs channel sensing in the SL SS/PBCH resource, which includes a sensing time in terms of ms), and
transmit, to a second UE, the sidelink transmission burst based on the channel being idle for the sensing interval (Zhang, [0197], “If UE is out of coverage, before sending SL SS/PBCH, it has to perform channel sensing on pre-defined SL SS/PBCH resource (the sensing time is depend on a random value in terms of ms), if channel is clean after sensing time is completed then it can start to transmit the SL SS/PBCH, otherwise, it indicates other UE has transmitted SL SS/SSPBCH”. The UE transmits the SL SS/PBCH based on the channel being clean after the sensing time. Fig. 13, [0251]-[0252], the UE transmits the SS/PBCH burst set to another UE),
wherein the time duration of the sidelink transmission burst is equal to or smaller than a first threshold (Zhang, Figs. 7-8, 10, 11, 13, the duration of the SL SS burst is less than a slot duration).
Zhang teaches the claimed limitations as stated above. Zhang does not explicitly teach the following underlined features: regarding claim 1, the channel access procedure including sensing a sidelink channel for at least a sensing interval that is a time duration spanned by two sensing slots, and
wherein a duty cycle of the sidelink transmission burst is equal to or smaller than a second threshold.
However, Liu teaches wherein a duty cycle of the sidelink transmission burst is equal to or smaller than a second threshold (Liu, [0106], the S-SSB transmissions have a low duty cycle. The duty cycle is less than or equal to 1/20).
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 invention of Zhang to have the features, as taught by Liu in order to give the S-SSB a high priority and protection during the discovery process between UEs to improve sidelink communications (Liu, [0095]).
Zhang and Liu teach the claimed limitations as stated above. Zhang and Wu do not explicitly teach the following underlined features: regarding claim 1, the channel access procedure including sensing a sidelink channel for at least a sensing interval that is a time duration spanned by two sensing slots.
However, Lee teaches the channel access procedure including sensing a sidelink channel for at least a sensing interval that is a time duration spanned by two sensing slots (Lee, [0168], Table 6, “The UE shall monitor slots which belongs to a sidelink resource pool within the sensing window except for those in which its own transmissions occur”, Figs. 11-12, [0243], “the processor 102 of the first device 100 may perform sensing for L slots after the first slot. In addition, the processor 102 of the first device 100 may select at least one resource for sidelink (SL) transmission within the selection window based on the sensing of the L slots…The L may be a positive integer”, Fig. 13, [0234], “In step S1330, the first device may perform sensing for L slots after the first slot”. The UE performs monitoring/sensing in the sidelink for L slots. L slots indicate two or more slots).
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 invention of Zhang and Liu to have the features, as taught by Lee in order to perform an efficient resource selection operation for a UE performing a power saving operation (Lee, [0011]).
Zhang teaches the claimed limitations as stated above. Zhang does not explicitly teach the following features: regarding claim 3, wherein the sensing interval is 25 microseconds.
As to claim 3, Liu teaches wherein the sensing interval is 25 microseconds (Liu, [0103], “a 25 microsecond channel sensing duration is used for 25 microsecond Cat 2 LBT”).
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 invention of Zhang to have the features, as taught by Liu in order to give the S-SSB a high priority and protection during the discovery process between UEs to improve sidelink communications (Liu, [0095]).
As to claim 5, Zhang teaches wherein each of the S-SSBs includes a sidelink primary synchronization signal (S-PSS) and a sidelink secondary synchronization signal (S-SSS) (Zhang, Fig. 7, [0192], the NR SL SS/PBCH burst set includes multiple SS bursts and each SS burst include multiple SL SS block with corresponding index. Each SL SS Block includes SPSS, SSSS and PSPBCH).
As to claim 6, Zhang teaches wherein at least one of the PSBCHs is associated with a demodulation reference signal (DM-RS) (Zhang, [0191], “The DMRSs may be used as a reference for channel estimation, demodulation of the PSBCH”, Fig. 7, [0192], “A SL SS Block may include one symbol PSSS, one symbol SSSS and two symbols PSPBCH (including DMRS)”. The SL SS/PBCH burst include PBCHs).
As to claim 7, Zhang teaches wherein the sidelink transmission burst is a discovery burst transmission of the S-SSBs including a set of at least one of signal or channel (Zhang, [0004], discovery, [0005], each SS/PBCH block in the SS burst set is assigned with a unique number starting from 0 and increased by 1. [0155], a UE transmitting a synchronization signal burst and NR-PSBCH (NR physical sidelink broadcast channel) to other UEs for discovery. Fig. 7, [0192], the NR SL SS/PBCH burst set includes multiple SS bursts and each SS burst include multiple SL SS block with corresponding index. Each SL SS Block includes SPSS, SSSS and PSPBCH. Figs. 8A-B, [0204]-[0205], the SyncRef UE determines which SL SS/PBCH blocks to transmit with corresponding index).
Zhang and Liu teach the claimed limitations as stated above. Zhang and Wu do not explicitly teach the following features: regarding claim 7, signal or channel associated with the duty cycle.
However, Liu teaches signal or channel associated with the duty cycle (Liu, [0106], the S-SSB transmissions have a low duty cycle. The duty cycle is less than or equal to 1/20).
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 invention of Zhang to have the features, as taught by Liu in order to give the S-SSB a high priority and protection during the discovery process between UEs to improve sidelink communications (Liu, [0095]).
As to claim 11, Zhang teaches a method performed by a first user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system (Zhang, Fig. 1E, 1F, Fig. 4, [0166], Fig. 13, a WTRU (UE) in a wireless network performing transmissions), the method comprising:
performing a channel access procedure for a sidelink transmission burst (Zhang, [0197], “If UE is out of coverage, before sending SL SS/PBCH, it has to perform channel sensing on pre-defined SL SS/PBCH resource (the sensing time is depend on a random value in terms of ms), if channel is clean after sensing time is completed then it can start to transmit the SL SS/PBCH, otherwise, it indicates other UE has transmitted SL SS/SSPBCH”. The UE performs channel sensing during a sensing time for a SL SS/PBCH. [0009], [0192] and Figs 7, 8A, 9, 10, 11A-B and 13 show that the SL SS/PBCH burst set transmitted by the UE starts with the SL SS/PBCH. [0198] further indicates that the UE is transmitting SL SS/PBCH burst set. Thus, the channel sensing during the sensing time is for the SL SS/PBCH burst set which starts with the SL SS/PBCH transmitted by the UE) including multiple sidelink synchronization signals and physical SL broadcast channel (PSBCH) blocks (S-SSBs) (Zhang, Figs 7, 8A, 9, 10, 11A-B and 13, the SL SS/PBCH burst set include SPSS, SSSS and PBCH blocks), the channel access procedure including sensing a sidelink channel for at least a sensing interval that is a time duration (Zhang, [0197], “If UE is out of coverage, before sending SL SS/PBCH, it has to perform channel sensing on pre-defined SL SS/PBCH resource (the sensing time is depend on a random value in terms of ms), if channel is clean after sensing time is completed then it can start to transmit the SL SS/PBCH, otherwise, it indicates other UE has transmitted SL SS/SSPBCH”. The UE performs channel sensing in the SL SS/PBCH resource, which includes a sensing time in terms of ms); and
transmitting, to a second UE, the sidelink transmission burst based on the channel being idle for the sensing interval (Zhang, [0197], “If UE is out of coverage, before sending SL SS/PBCH, it has to perform channel sensing on pre-defined SL SS/PBCH resource (the sensing time is depend on a random value in terms of ms), if channel is clean after sensing time is completed then it can start to transmit the SL SS/PBCH, otherwise, it indicates other UE has transmitted SL SS/SSPBCH”. The UE transmits the SL SS/PBCH based on the channel being clean after the sensing time. Fig. 13, [0251]-[0252], the UE transmits the SS/PBCH burst set to another UE),
wherein the time duration of the sidelink transmission burst is equal to or smaller than a first threshold (Zhang, Figs. 7-8, 10, 11, 13, the duration of the SL SS burst is less than a slot duration).
Zhang teaches the claimed limitations as stated above. Zhang does not explicitly teach the following underlined features: regarding claim 11, the channel access procedure including sensing a sidelink channel for at least a sensing interval that is a time duration spanned by two sensing slots; and
wherein a duty cycle of the sidelink transmission burst is equal to or smaller than a second threshold.
However, Liu teaches wherein a duty cycle of the sidelink transmission burst is equal to or smaller than a second threshold (Liu, [0106], the S-SSB transmissions have a low duty cycle. The duty cycle is less than or equal to 1/20).
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 invention of Zhang to have the features, as taught by Liu in order to give the S-SSB a high priority and protection during the discovery process between UEs to improve sidelink communications (Liu, [0095]).
Zhang and Liu teach the claimed limitations as stated above. Zhang and Wu do not explicitly teach the following underlined features: regarding claim 11, the channel access procedure including sensing a sidelink channel for at least a sensing interval that is a time duration spanned by two sensing slots.
However, Lee teaches the channel access procedure including sensing a sidelink channel for at least a sensing interval that is a time duration spanned by two sensing slots (Lee, [0168], Table 6, “The UE shall monitor slots which belongs to a sidelink resource pool within the sensing window except for those in which its own transmissions occur”, Figs. 11-12, [0243], “the processor 102 of the first device 100 may perform sensing for L slots after the first slot. In addition, the processor 102 of the first device 100 may select at least one resource for sidelink (SL) transmission within the selection window based on the sensing of the L slots…The L may be a positive integer”, Fig. 13, [0234], “In step S1330, the first device may perform sensing for L slots after the first slot”. The UE performs monitoring/sensing in the sidelink for L slots. L slots indicate two or more slots).
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 invention of Zhang and Liu to have the features, as taught by Lee in order to perform an efficient resource selection operation for a UE performing a power saving operation (Lee, [0011]).
Zhang teaches the claimed limitations as stated above. Zhang does not explicitly teach the following features: regarding claim 13, wherein the sensing interval is 25 microseconds.
As to claim 13, Liu teaches wherein the sensing interval is 25 microseconds (Liu, [0103], “a 25 microsecond channel sensing duration is used for 25 microsecond Cat 2 LBT”).
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 invention of Zhang to have the features, as taught by Liu in order to give the S-SSB a high priority and protection during the discovery process between UEs to improve sidelink communications (Liu, [0095]).
As to claim 15, Zhang teaches wherein each of the S-SSBs includes a sidelink primary synchronization signal (S-PSS) and a sidelink secondary synchronization signal (S-SSS) (Zhang, Fig. 7, [0192], the NR SL SS/PBCH burst set includes multiple SS bursts and each SS burst include multiple SL SS block with corresponding index. Each SL SS Block includes SPSS, SSSS and PSPBCH).
As to claim 16, Zhang teaches wherein at least one of the PSBCHs is associated with a demodulation reference signal (DM-RS) (Zhang, [0191], “The DMRSs may be used as a reference for channel estimation, demodulation of the PSBCH”, Fig. 7, [0192], “A SL SS Block may include one symbol PSSS, one symbol SSSS and two symbols PSPBCH (including DMRS)”. The SL SS/PBCH burst include PBCHs).
As to claim 17, Zhang teaches wherein the sidelink transmission burst is a discovery burst transmission of the S-SSBs including a set of at least one of signal or channel (Zhang, [0004], discovery, [0005], each SS/PBCH block in the SS burst set is assigned with a unique number starting from 0 and increased by 1. [0155], a UE transmitting a synchronization signal burst and NR-PSBCH (NR physical sidelink broadcast channel) to other UEs for discovery. Fig. 7, [0192], the NR SL SS/PBCH burst set includes multiple SS bursts and each SS burst include multiple SL SS block with corresponding index. Each SL SS Block includes SPSS, SSSS and PSPBCH. Figs. 8A-B, [0204]-[0205], the SyncRef UE determines which SL SS/PBCH blocks to transmit with corresponding index).
Zhang and Liu teach the claimed limitations as stated above. Zhang and Wu do not explicitly teach the following features: regarding claim 17, signal or channel associated with the duty cycle.
However, Liu teaches signal or channel associated with the duty cycle (Liu, [0106], the S-SSB transmissions have a low duty cycle. The duty cycle is less than or equal to 1/20).
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 invention of Zhang to have the features, as taught by Liu in order to give the S-SSB a high priority and protection during the discovery process between UEs to improve sidelink communications (Liu, [0095]).
Claims 4 and 14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Zhang et al. (US 2021/0168574) (provided in the IDS), hereinafter “Zhang” in view of Liu et al. (US 2023/0246790), hereinafter “Liu” and further in view of Lee et al. (US 2022/0225408), hereinafter “Lee” and further in view of Chen et al. (US 2022/0086782), hereinafter “Chen”.
Zhang teaches the claimed limitations as stated above. Zhang does not explicitly teach the following features: regarding claim 4, wherein the first threshold is 1 millisecond and the second threshold is 1/20.
As to claim 4, Liu teaches wherein the second threshold is 1/20 (Liu, [0106], the S-SSB transmissions have a low duty cycle. The duty cycle is less than or equal to 1/20).
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 invention of Zhang to have the features, as taught by Liu in order to give the S-SSB a high priority and protection during the discovery process between UEs to improve sidelink communications (Liu, [0095]).
Zhang, Liu and Lee teach the claimed limitations as stated above. Zhang, Liu and Lee do not explicitly teach the following features: regarding claim 4, wherein the first threshold is 1 millisecond.
However, Chen teaches wherein the first threshold is 1 millisecond (Chen, Fig. 14, the S-SSB burst set includes two S-SSBs, which are transmitted within a slot. [0017], Fig. 6 shows that a slot is within a subframe of 1ms. Thus, the S-SSB burst set is transmitted within a slot which is smaller a subframe of 1ms).
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 invention of Zhang, Liu and Lee to have the features, as taught by Chen in order to perform synchronization between UEs to establish sidelink connectivity (Chen, [0033]).
Zhang teaches the claimed limitations as stated above. Zhang does not explicitly teach the following features: regarding claim 14, wherein the first threshold is 1 millisecond and the second threshold is 1/20.
As to claim 14, Liu teaches wherein the second threshold is 1/20 (Liu, [0106], the S-SSB transmissions have a low duty cycle. The duty cycle is less than or equal to 1/20).
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 invention of Zhang to have the features, as taught by Liu in order to give the S-SSB a high priority and protection during the discovery process between UEs to improve sidelink communications (Liu, [0095]).
Zhang, Liu and Lee teach the claimed limitations as stated above. Zhang, Liu and Lee do not explicitly teach the following features: regarding claim 14, wherein the first threshold is 1 millisecond.
However, Chen teaches wherein the first threshold is 1 millisecond (Chen, Fig. 14, the S-SSB burst set includes two S-SSBs, which are transmitted within a slot. [0017], Fig. 6 shows that a slot is within a subframe of 1ms. Thus, the S-SSB burst set is transmitted within a slot which is smaller a subframe of 1ms).
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 invention of Zhang, Liu and Lee to have the features, as taught by Chen in order to perform synchronization between UEs to establish sidelink connectivity (Chen, [0033]).
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 RICARDO H CASTANEYRA whose telephone number is (571)272-2486. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9:00am - 5:30pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Kwang bin 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.
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/RICARDO H CASTANEYRA/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2473
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