DETAILED ACTION
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 in response to the submission filed 2025-10-23 (herein referred to as the Reply) where claim(s) 1-2, 4, 6, 8-13, 15, 17, 19-22 are pending for consideration.
35 USC §112(a) – Claim Rejections
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(a):
(a) IN GENERAL.—The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor or joint inventor of carrying out the invention.
Claim(s) is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a)
Claim(s) 4, 15
The claim(s) contains subject matter which was not described in the specification in such a way as to enable one skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and/or use the invention.
The claim(s) is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) because the Specification, while being enabling for “the at least one target terminal comprises: a second terminal” does not reasonably provide enablement for:
the at least one target terminal comprises: the first terminal
the at least one target terminal comprises: the first terminal and a second terminal for performing sidelink communication with the first terminal;
In other words, because of the “and/or,” the claim scope includes a situation where the first terminal and the target terminal are the same. The claim(s) effectively require the first terminal to perform transmission of the power saving or non-power saving information to itself (“first terminal sending to the target terminal” is the same as “first terminal sending to the first terminal”). However the Specification’s context and details are only for when the first terminal is not also the target terminal:
[0088] For example, the power saving information may be configured to indicate dormancy or inactivation, and/or, during wake-up or activation, the first terminal needs to send the power saving information and indicate dormancy or inactivation. In a case that the SL is configured to indicate that “1” represents wake-up or activation, and to indicate that “0” represents dormancy or inactivation, the first terminal sends the power saving information indicating “0” to the second terminal.
[0089] Alternatively, in a case that the target condition includes the first condition, that the first terminal determines, based on the target condition, the transmission of the power saving information in step 201 includes:
[0090] determining non-transmission of the power saving information in a case that the first condition is satisfied, where the non-transmission of the power saving information indirectly indicates that the target terminal is dormant or non-active. For example, in a case that a behavior is defined as that dormancy or inactivation is determined by default for not sending the power saving information, the power saving information does not need to be sent in a case that the first condition is satisfied. In another example, in a case that a behavior is defined as that a DRX configuration is valid or is used by default for not sending the power saving information, the power saving information does not need to be sent in a case that the first condition is satisfied. For example, in a case that a behavior is defined as that dormancy or inactivation is determined by default for that no power saving information is received. In another example, in a case that a behavior is defined as that a DRX configuration is valid/used by default for that no power saving information is received.
Consequently, the Specification does not enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to practice the invention commensurate in scope with these claims.
35 USC §103 - Claim Rejections
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 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 non-obviousness.
Claim(s) is/are rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over YANG_327 (US20230232327) in view of SHI_185 (US20220110185)
Claim(s) 1, 12
YANG_327 teaches
determining, by the first terminal and based on the target condition, that at least one target terminal is dormant or wake-up, or non-active or active, First terminal, sends to a second terminal, a first type of SL wake-up signal that triggers an on-duration timer to be started that causes the second terminal is in a wake-up state when the on-duration timer is triggered, and the second terminal in the wake-up state is capable of monitoring channels. Accordingly, the second terminal when to be awake and ready to continue to receive SL data. <FIG(s). 2, 4; para. 0056-0063, 0082-0087>.
the at least one target terminal comprises: the first terminal, In this interpretation, the second terminal of Yang is the claimed first terminal. Effectively the terminal determines when it is awake or sleep based on the condition that the on duration timer is started via the SL wake-up signal. <FIG(s). 2, 4; para. 0056-0063, 0082-0087>.
wherein the target condition comprises a second condition,
in a case that the second condition is satisfied,
the first terminal determines that the at least one target terminal is wake-up or active, <FIG(s). 2, 4; para. 0056-0063, 0082-0087>.
wherein the second condition comprises at least one of the following that:
a timer or a monitoring window for monitoring SL in the wake-up state is capable of monitoring channels. <FIG(s). 2, 4; para. 0056-0063, 0082-0087>.
As discussed above, YANG_327 a timer or a monitoring window for monitoring SL data but does not teach that the SL data is particularly a DCI. In other words, YANG_327 does not explicitly teach
a timer or a monitoring window for monitoring DCI
However in a similar endeavor, SHI_185 teaches
a timer or a monitoring window for monitoring DCI Timer started for monitoring for DCI in a DRX cycle. <FIG(s). 1, 3, 5, 6, 7; para. 0007-0009, 0015-0017, 0040-0043, 0055-0056, 0060-0062; Abstract>.
Before the effective filing date of the claim invention, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in art to have modified the system/techniques disclosed by YANG_327 with the embodiment(s) disclosed by SHI_185. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification in order to provide improved HARQ feedback techniques in DRX environments <para. 0005>.
Claim(s) 2, 13
The claims further narrows the “first condition” which is an alternative embodiment while base claim was rejected using the “second condition.” Consequently, the claim is directed to limitations that further narrow an alternative embodiment. As discussed herein, the base claim was anticipated using another embodiment (i.e., not the alternative embodiment). Consequently, the claim is rejected for the same reasons as the given for the base claim.
Claim(s) 8, 19
The claims further narrows the “determining transmission of power saving information” which is an alternative embodiment while base claim was rejected using the “determining that at least one target terminal is dormant or wake-up, or non-active or active.” Consequently, the claim is directed to limitations that further narrow an alternative embodiment. As discussed herein, the base claim was anticipated using another embodiment (i.e., not the alternative embodiment). Consequently, the claim is rejected for the same reasons as the given for the base claim.
Claim(s) 9, 20
YANG_327 teaches
determining, by a second terminal and based on transmission of power saving information of a first terminal, that at least one target terminal is dormant or wake-up, or non-active or active, First terminal, sends to a second terminal, a first type of SL wake-up signal that triggers an on-duration timer to be started that causes the second terminal is in a wake-up state when the on-duration timer is triggered, and the second terminal in the wake-up state is capable of monitoring channels <FIG(s). 2, 4; para. 0056-0063, 0082-0087>.
wherein the at least one target terminal comprises:
the second terminal In this interpretation, the second terminal of Yang is the claimed second terminal. Effectively the terminal determines when it is awake or sleep based on the condition that the on duration timer is started via the SL wake-up signal. <FIG(s). 2, 4; para. 0056-0063, 0082-0087>.
wherein the transmission of the power saving information is determined according to a target condition, and the target condition comprises a second condition;
wherein the first condition serves to determine that the at least one target terminal is dormant or non-active, or to determine the transmission of the power saving information, wherein the power saving information indicates that the at least one target terminal is dormant or non-active “Serves to” is intended use and has no patentable weight as the claim does not actually require the first condition to be utilized in such a manner.
wherein the second condition serves to determine that the at least one target terminal is wake-up or active, or to determine the transmission of the power saving information, wherein the power saving information indicates that the at least one target terminal is wake-up or active; “Serves to” is intended use and has no patentable weight as the claim does not actually require the second condition to be utilized in such a manner.
wherein the second condition comprises at least one of the following that:
a timer or a monitoring window for monitoring SL
As discussed above, YANG_327 a timer or a monitoring window for monitoring SL data but does not teach that the SL data is particularly a DCI. In other words, YANG_327 does not explicitly teach
a timer or a monitoring window for monitoring DCI
However in a similar endeavor, SHI_185 teaches
a timer or a monitoring window for monitoring DCI Timer started for monitoring for DCI in a DRX cycle. <FIG(s). 1, 3, 5, 6, 7; para. 0007-0009, 0015-0017, 0040-0043, 0055-0056, 0060-0062; Abstract>.
Before the effective filing date of the claim invention, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in art to have modified the system/techniques disclosed by YANG_327 with the embodiment(s) disclosed by SHI_185. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification in order to provide improved HARQ feedback techniques in DRX environments <para. 0005>.
Claim(s) 10
YANG_327 teaches
wherein the determining, by the second terminal and based on the transmission of the power saving information of the first terminal, that the at least one target terminal is dormant or wake-up, or non-active or active comprises:
in a case that the second terminal does not receive the power saving information transmitted by the first terminal, determining, by the second terminal, based on a predefined rule, that the at least one target terminal is dormant or non-active. In accordance with the transmission parameters being satisfied, determining whether to start the on-duration timer when the second UE does not receive the SL wake-up signal transmitted by the first UE. Accordingly the second UE is consider not to monitor for the SL wake-up signal during the timer and is therefore considered dormant or non-active. <FIG(s). 3; para. 0062-0081>.
Claim(s) 11
YANG_327 teaches
wherein the determining, by the second terminal and based on the transmission of the power saving information of the first terminal, that the at least one target terminal is dormant or wake-up, or non-active or active comprises:
in a case that the second terminal receives the power saving information transmitted by the first terminal, determining, by the second terminal, that the at least one target terminal is wake-up or active, wherein the power saving information indicates that the at least one target terminal is wake-up or active; In one example, the transmission time information includes: a transmission time offset for indicating a time offset of the transmission starting time of the SL wake-up signal with respect to the starting time of the DRX cycle. Accordingly, when the appropriate time occurs (offset is finished), the first UE will send the SL wake-up signal knowing the second UE is monitoring to receive the SL wake-up signal (per the configuration) and is considered “active” <FIG(s). 3; para. 0062-0081>.
Claim(s) is/are rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over YANG_327 (US20230232327) in view of SHI_185 (US20220110185), and further view of YU_396 (US20210345396)
Claim(s) 21-22
YANG_327 does not explicitly teach
wherein the method further comprises:
sending, by the first terminal, second information to a control node, wherein the second information indicates at least one of the following:
indicating that the first terminal satisfies the target condition;
a transmission resource request for the power saving information;
a scheduling request (SR); or
a buffer status report (BSR).
However in a similar endeavor, YU_396 teaches
sending, by the first terminal, second information to a control node, wherein the second information indicates at least one of the following: a transmission resource request for the power saving information; A UE would function as a scheduling UE for scheduling the sidelink transmission resource(s) (a control node). Another UE sends transmits recommended control information (e.g. SCI format), which prompts the scheduling UE to respond with scheduling signaling indicating the actually scheduled resource(s). Accordingly, the SCI format functions and acts like a transmission resource request. The scheduling signaling schedules data such as SCI, which can include power adjusting information. <FIG(s). 1, 2, 3, 8, 9; para. 0037-0043, 0061, 0077, 0084; Claim(s) 8>.
Before the effective filing date of the claim invention, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in art to have modified the system/techniques disclosed by YANG_327 and SHI_185 with the embodiment(s) disclosed by YU_396. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification in order to implement an efficient signaling transmission mechanism and an efficient resources allocation mechanism for non-scheduling UEs. <para. 0031>.
Claim(s) is/are rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over YANG_327 (US20230232327) in view of SHI_185 (US20220110185), and further view of ZHANG_847 (US20230156847)
Claim(s) 6, 17, 21-22
YANG_327 does not explicitly teach
wherein the method further comprises:
sending, by the first terminal, second information to a control node,
wherein the second information indicates related information of the target condition that the first terminal satisfies.
However in a similar endeavor, ZHANG_847 teaches
sending, by the first terminal, second information to a control node, wherein the second information indicates related information of the target condition that the first terminal satisfies. UE determines whether a condition is satisfied and an indication to a network node. <FIG(s). 10, 9; para. 0038-0039>.
Before the effective filing date of the claim invention, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in art to have modified the system/techniques disclosed by YANG_327 and SHI_185 with the embodiment(s) disclosed by ZHANG_847. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification in order to use the UE INACTIVE state more efficiently for small-data transmission and reception. <para. 0004>.
Response to Arguments
The Reply’s arguments have been considered but are moot because the arguments do not apply to the rejection(s), which was necessitated by the Applicant’s amendments, being used in the current rejection.
Examiner’s Notes
The independent claims have so many alternative embodiments by way of “or” or “and/or” that despite the claim’s length, the claims can be easily anticipated by selecting a particular permutation of limitation and ignoring alternative limitations as not all alternative features are not required by to be addressed to anticipate the claim.
Intended Use
Claim 9
The claim(s) includes intended use language (e.g., “operable,” “used for,” “used to,” “used by,” “for use,” “capable,” “intends,” and other equivalent language) that causes corresponding limitations to be suggested or optional (i.e., does not require steps to be performed and/or does not further limit a structure/configuration). Consequently, the claim does not necessarily require the corresponding limitation to be carried out, or be configured to be carried out (i.e., does not limit the scope of a claim), and is therefore not given any patentable weight. The Examiner recommends amending the claim(s) such that the limitation(s) explicitly occurs.
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 ANDRE TACDIRAN whose telephone number is 571-272-1717. The examiner can normally be reached on M-TH, 10-5PM EST. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Jeffrey Rutkowski can be reached on 571-270-1215. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
/ANDRE TACDIRAN/
Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2415
Prosecution Insights