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 .
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and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114.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 5/15/2026 has been entered.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claim(s) 1-6, 14-17, 19, 21-23 and 25-26 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102[a2] as being anticipated by Xu [US 2022/0078755].
As claim 1, Xu [US 2022/0078755] discloses a first user equipment (UE) for wireless communication [Fig 2, Ref 212 UE2, Fig 16, Ref 1610/1602, Fig 22, 2210], comprising: one or more memories; and one or more processors, coupled to the one or more memories, individually or collectively configured to cause the first UE to: receive scheduling information for the first UE using Layer 1 (L1) signaling [Fig 16, Ref 1610 or 1602 for receiving scheduling information from base station using L1 that carrying DCI], the scheduling information including a first target that includes an out-of-coverage and a first granted resource for relaying data to the OOC UE using L1 signaling [Fig 16, Par. 0137-0148 discloses 1610/1620 receives DCI via PDCCH “layer 1 signaling”, Par. 0197, which includes resources for exchanging data between 1610/1602 and 1620-1610 via side-link wherein 1620-1604 is out of coverage, Par. 0072-0077 discloses resource allocated for each direction via PSCCH]; and transmit or receive the data on a sidelink using L1 signaling based at least in part on the scheduling information [Fig 16, Par. 0137-0148 discloses 1610-1604 exchanging data with each other using L1 signaling such as SCI via PSCCH, Par. 0197, or feedback via PFSCH in PC5, Par. 0104, Fig 22 discloses data exchanges between the nodes after scheduling using L1 signaling].
As claim 2, Xu [US 2022/0078755] discloses the first UE is a relay UE [Fig 2, Ref 212 UE2, Fig 16, Ref 1610/1602, Fig 22, 2210], and wherein the scheduling information includes relay information for one or more other targets and one or more granted resources associated with the one or more other targets [Fig 16, Par. 0137-0148 discloses 1610/1620 receives DCI via PDCCH “layer 1 signaling”, Par. 0197, which includes resources for exchanging data between 1610/1602 and 1620-1610 via side-link wherein 1620-1604 is out of coverage], and wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively configured to cause the first UE to transmit the scheduling information using L1 signaling to a second UE that is one of the one or more other targets [Fig 16, Par. 0137-0148 discloses 1610/1620 receives DCI via PDCCH “layer 1 signaling”, Par. 0197, which includes resources for exchanging data between 1610/1602 and 1620-1610 via side-link wherein 1620-1604 is out of coverage].
As claim 3, Xu [US 2022/0078755] discloses the one or more processors, to receive the scheduling information, are individually or collectively configured to cause the first UE to receive the scheduling information from another relay UE using L1 signaling [Fig 16, Par. 0137-0148 discloses 1610/1620 receives DCI via PDCCH “layer 1 signaling”, Par. 0197, which includes resources for exchanging data between 1610/1602 and 1620-1610 via side-link wherein 1620-1604 is out of coverage].
As claim 4, Xu [US 2022/0078755] discloses the scheduling information includes reverse link information that indicates a resource for transmission to a network entity [Fig 2, 22, Ref 2222 includes DCI comprising reverse link to transmit to base station, Ref 2236].
As claim 5, Xu [US 2022/0078755] discloses to receive the scheduling information, are individually or collectively configured to cause the first UE to receive the scheduling information from a network entity using L1 signaling [Fig 16, Par. 0137-0148 discloses 1610/1620 receives DCI via PDCCH “layer 1 signaling”, Par. 0197, which includes resources for exchanging data between 1610/1602 and 1620-1610 via side-link wherein 1620-1604 is out of coverage].
As claim 6, Xu [US 2022/0078755] discloses the one or more processors, to receive the scheduling information, are individually or collectively configured to cause the first UE to receive the scheduling information from a relay UE using L1 signaling [Fig 16, Par. 0137-0148 discloses 1610/1620 receives DCI via PDCCH “layer 1 signaling”, Par. 0197, which includes resources for exchanging data between 1610/1602 and 1620-1610 via side-link wherein 1620-1604 is out of coverage].
As claim 14, Xu [US 2022/0078755] discloses a first user equipment (UE) for wireless communication, comprising: one or more memories; and one or more processors, coupled to the one or more memories, individually or collectively configured to cause the first UE [Fig 2, Ref 212 UE2, Fig 16, Ref 1610/1602, Fig 22, 2210], to: receive, using Layer 1 (L1) signaling, scheduling information from a second UE that indicates a first relay target, the first target that includes an out-of-coverage and a first granted resource for relaying data to the OOC UE using L1 signaling [Fig 16, Par. 0137-0148 discloses 1610/1620 receives DCI via PDCCH “layer 1 signaling”, Par. 0197, which includes resources for exchanging data between 1610/1602 and 1620-1610 via side-link such as PSCCH wherein 1620-1604 is out of coverage]; and transmit the data using L1 signaling based at least in part on the scheduling information [Fig 16, Par. 0137-0148 discloses 1610-1604 exchanging data with each other using L1 signaling such as SCI via PSCCH, Par. 0197, or feedback via PFSCH in PC5, Par. 0104].
As claim 15, Xu [US 2022/0078755] discloses wherein the first relay target is a third UE, and wherein the one or more processors, to transmit the data, are individually or collectively configured to transmit data to the third UE using L1 signaling [Fig 16, Fig 22, Ref 2220 and 2204 exchanged data via PSCCH/PFSCH “physical layer 1 signaling”, Par. 0197, 0104].
As claim 16, Xu [US 2022/0078755] discloses the scheduling information includes reverse link information that indicates a resource for transmission to a network entity [Fig 22, Ref 2222, Par. 0137-0148 discloses resource for relay ACK to base station, Ref 2236], and wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively configured to cause the first UE to: receive feedback for the data from the third UE using L1 signaling [Fig 22, Ref 2222, Par. 0137-0148 discloses resource for relay ACK to another UE, Ref 2246, 2256]; and forward the feedback to the network entity via the second UE using L1 signaling based at least in part on the reverse link information [Fig 22, Ref 2222, Par. 0137-0148 discloses resource for relay ACK to base station, Ref 2236].
As claim 17, Xu [US 2022/0078755] discloses the one or more processors are individually or collectively configured to cause the first UE to transmit a sidelink grant to a third UE using L1 signaling based at least in part on the scheduling information [Fig 16, 22 discloses UE send SCI to another UE via L1, Par. 0197, Par. 0063, 0104].
As claim 19, Xu [US 2022/0078755] discloses a network entity [Fig 2, Ref 202 Fig 16, Ref 1640/1602, Fig 22, 2202] for wireless communication, comprising: one or more memories; and one or more processors, coupled to the one or more memories, individually or collectively configured to cause the network entity to: generate, for a relay user equipment (UE), scheduling information that includes a first target, the first target that includes an out-of-coverage and a first granted resource for relaying data to the OOC UE using L1 signaling [Fig 16, Par. 0137-0148 discloses base station send DCI via PDCCH “layer 1 signaling”, Par. 0197, which includes resources for exchanging data between 1610/1602 and 1620-1610 via side-link such as PSCCH wherein 1620-1604 is out of coverage]; and transmit the scheduling information and the data to the relay UE using Layer 1 (L1) signaling [Fig 2, Ref 212 UE2, Fig 16, Ref 1610/1602, Fig 22, 2210 send DCI to OOC UE].
As claim 21, Xu [US 2022/0078755] discloses the scheduling information includes reverse link information that indicates a resource for transmission from the OOC UE to the relay UE [Fig 2, 16, Fig 22, Par. 0137-0148 discloses scheduling information includes resource for feedback].
As claim 22, Xu [US 2022/0078755] discloses the scheduling information includes reverse link information that indicates a resource for transmission from the relay UE to the network entity [Fig 2, 16, Fig 22, Par. 0137-0148 discloses scheduling information includes resource for feedback].
As claim 23, Xu [US 2022/0078755] discloses the one or more processors are individually or collectively configured to cause the network entity to: transmit data to the OOC UE via the relay UE using L1 signaling [Fig 2, 16, 22 discloses Base station send data to the OOC UE via the relay UE using L1, Par. 0197]; and receive feedback for the data from the OOC[Fig 2, 16, 22 discloses Base station receives feedback from the OOC UE via the relay UE using L1].
As claim 25, Xu [US 2022/0078755] discloses wherein the scheduling information includes relay information for one or more other targets and one or more granted resources associated with the one or more other targets [Fig 16, Fig 22, Par. 0137-0148 discloses the scheduling data includes resources for relay nodes and end nodes includes base station and UE].
As claim 26, Xu [US 2022/0078755] discloses the scheduling information includes reverse link information that indicates a resource for transmission from the OOC UE to the first UE [Fig 16, Fig 22, Par. 0137-0148 discloses the scheduling data includes resources for exchanging data from OOC to the first UE, Par. 0072-0077 discloses resource allocated for each direction].
Claim(s) 1-6, 14-19 and 21-26 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102[a2] as being anticipated by Xu [US 2021/0144781].
As claim 1, Xu [US 2021/0144781]discloses a first user equipment (UE) for wireless communication [Fig 7A, Ref 204], comprising: one or more memories; and one or more processors, coupled to the one or more memories, individually or collectively configured to cause the first UE to: receive scheduling information for the first UE using Layer 1 (L1) signaling [Par. 0106, 0112, 0118, 0121, 0124 for receiving scheduling information from base station using L1 that carrying DCI], the scheduling information including a first target that includes an out-of-coverage and a first granted resource for relaying data to the OOC UE using L1 signaling [Par. 0061-0063, 0119-0125 discloses scheduling information indicates the resources and OOC UE]; and transmit or receive the data on a sidelink using L1 signaling based at least in part on the scheduling information [Par. 0118-0125, Fig 13].
As claim 2, Xu [US 2021/0144781] discloses the first UE is a relay UE [Fig 7a, ref 204], and wherein the scheduling information includes relay information for one or more other targets and one or more granted resources associated with the one or more other targets [Par. 0118-0125, Fig 13], and wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively configured to cause the first UE to transmit the scheduling information using L1 signaling to a second UE that is one of the one or more other targets [Par. 0118-0125, Fig 13].
As claim 3, Xu [US 2021/0144781] discloses the one or more processors, to receive the scheduling information, are individually or collectively configured to cause the first UE to receive the scheduling information from another relay UE using L1 signaling [Fig 7A, Par. 0068-0070, Par. 0118-0125, Fig 13].
As claim 4, Xu [US 2021/0144781] discloses the scheduling information includes reverse link information that indicates a resource for transmission to a network entity [Fig 7A, Par. 0068-0070, Par. 0118-0125, Fig 13].
As claim 5, Xu [US 2021/0144781] discloses to receive the scheduling information, are individually or collectively configured to cause the first UE to receive the scheduling information from a network entity using L1 signaling [Fig 7A, 0106, 0112, 0118-0125, Fig 13].
As claim 6, Xu [US 2021/0144781] discloses the one or more processors, to receive the scheduling information, are individually or collectively configured to cause the first UE to receive the scheduling information from a relay UE using L1 signaling [Fig 7A, Par. 0118-0125, Fig 13].
As claim 14, Xu [US 2021/0144781] discloses a first user equipment (UE) for wireless communication, comprising: one or more memories; and one or more processors, coupled to the one or more memories, individually or collectively configured to cause the first UE [Fig 7A, Ref 204], to: receive, using Layer 1 (L1) signaling, scheduling information from a second UE that indicates a first relay target, the first target that includes an out-of-coverage and a first granted resource for relaying data to the OOC UE using L1 signaling [Par. 0118-025, Fig 7A]; and transmit the data using L1 signaling based at least in part on the scheduling information [Par. 0118-0125, Fig 7A, and 13.
As claim 15, Xu [US 2021/0144781] discloses wherein the first relay target is a third UE, and wherein the one or more processors, to transmit the data, are individually or collectively configured to transmit data to the third UE using L1 signaling [Fig 7A, Par. 0067-0069].
As claim 16, Xu [US 2021/0144781] discloses the scheduling information includes reverse link information that indicates a resource for transmission to a network entity [Fig 13, Par. 0118-0125, 0229-0230], and wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively configured to cause the first UE to: receive feedback for the data from the third UE using L1 signaling [Par. 0118-0125, 0229-0230]; and forward the feedback to the network entity via the second UE using L1 signaling based at least in part on the reverse link information [Par. 0118-0125, 0229-0230].
As claim 17, Xu [US 2021/0144781] discloses the one or more processors are individually or collectively configured to cause the first UE to transmit a sidelink grant to a third UE using L1 signaling based at least in part on the scheduling information [Par. 0118-0125, Fig 13].
As claim 18, Xu [US 2021/0144781] discloses the scheduling information includes reverse link information that indicates a resource for transmission to a network entity [Par. 0118-0125] and wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively configured to transmit a buffer status report to a network entity using L1 signaling [Par. 0075, 0125, BSR send to Base station via layer one signaling].
As claim 19, Xu [US 2021/0144781] discloses a network entity [Fig 7A, Ref 202] for wireless communication, comprising: one or more memories; and one or more processors, coupled to the one or more memories, individually or collectively configured to cause the network entity to: generate, for a relay user equipment (UE), scheduling information that includes a first target, the first target that includes an out-of-coverage and a first granted resource for relaying data to the OOC UE using L1 signaling [Fig 7a, Ref 206, Par. 0112, 0118-0125, Fig 3]; and transmit the scheduling information and the data to the relay UE using Layer 1 (L1) signaling [Fig 7a, Ref 206, Par. 0112, 0118-0125, Fig 3 disclose send DCI to OOC UE].
As claim 21, Xu [US 2021/0144781] discloses the scheduling information includes reverse link information that indicates a resource for transmission from the OOC UE to the relay UE [Par. 0118-0125, 0229-0230, 0302 discloses scheduling information includes resource for feedback].
As claim 22, Xu [US 2021/0144781] discloses the scheduling information includes reverse link information that indicates a resource for transmission from the relay UE to the network entity [Par. 0118-0125, 0229-0230, 0302 discloses scheduling information includes resource for feedback].
As claim 23, Xu [US 2021/0144781] discloses the one or more processors are individually or collectively configured to cause the network entity to: transmit data to the OOC UE via the relay UE using L1 signaling [Par. 0118-0125 discloses Base station send data to the OOC UE via the relay UE using L1, Par. 0197]; and receive feedback for the data from the OOC[Par. 0118-0125, 0229-0230, 0302 discloses Base station receives feedback from the OOC UE via the relay UE using L1].
As claim 24, Xu [US 2021/0144781] discloses wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively configured to cause the network entity to receive a buffer status report from the relay UE using L1 signaling [Par. 0075, 0125 discloses BSR send to Base station via layer one signaling].
As claim 25, Xu [US 2021/0144781] discloses wherein the scheduling information includes relay information for one or more other targets and one or more granted resources associated with the one or more other targets [Par. 0112, 0118-0125].
As claim 26, Xu [US 2021/0144781] discloses the scheduling information includes reverse link information that indicates a resource for transmission from the OOC UE to the first UE [Par. 0112, 0118-0125, 0229-0230, 0302].
Claim(s) 1-6, 14-17, 19, 21-23 and 25-26 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102[a2] as being anticipated by Zhang [US 2021/0153063].
As claim 1, Zhang [US 2021/0153063] discloses a first user equipment (UE) for wireless communication [Fig 5A, Ref 504], comprising: one or more memories; and one or more processors, coupled to the one or more memories, individually or collectively configured to cause the first UE to: receive scheduling information for the first UE using Layer 1 (L1) signaling [Fig 5A, Ref 504 for receiving scheduling information from base station using L1 that carrying DCI, Par. 0085, 0139, 0144, 0150, 0158], the scheduling information including a first target that includes an out-of-coverage and a first granted resource for relaying data to the OOC UE using L1 signaling [Par. 0062, 0091, 0150 discloses receives DCI via PDCCH “layer 1 signaling” which includes resources for exchanging data between nodes via side-link wherein the last node is out of coverage]; and transmit or receive the data on a sidelink using L1 signaling based at least in part on the scheduling information [Par. 0085, 0094-0096, 0134, 0139, 0144, 0150, 0158 exchanging data with each other using L1 signaling such as SCI].
As claim 2, Zhang [US 2021/0153063] discloses the first UE is a relay UE [Fig 5A, Ref 5A], and wherein the scheduling information includes relay information for one or more other targets and one or more granted resources associated with the one or more other targets [Par. 0079, 0134, 0139, 0144, 0150, 0158 discloses UE receives DCI via PDCCH “layer 1 signaling” which includes resources for exchanging data between nodes via side-link and UU], and wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively configured to cause the first UE to transmit the scheduling information using L1 signaling to a second UE that is one of the one or more other targets [Par, 0150-0152 discloses relay UE send the resources using L1 signaling to a second UE via SCI].
As claim 3, Zhang [US 2021/0153063] discloses the one or more processors, to receive the scheduling information, are individually or collectively configured to cause the first UE to receive the scheduling information from another relay UE using L1 signaling [Par. 0134, 0139, 0144, 0150, 0154, 0158, Fig 6A, Fig 10, Ref 1001].
As claim 4, Zhang [US 2021/0153063] discloses the scheduling information includes reverse link information that indicates a resource for transmission to a network entity [Par. 0134, 0139, 0144, 0150, 0154, 0158 discloses the resource allocations are for transmitting and receiving. Fig 5A, Ref 504 exchanging signal with base station].
As claim 5, Zhang [US 2021/0153063] discloses to receive the scheduling information, are individually or collectively configured to cause the first UE to receive the scheduling information from a network entity using L1 signaling [Fig 9. Ref 902].
As claim 6, Zhang [US 2021/0153063] discloses the one or more processors, to receive the scheduling information, are individually or collectively configured to cause the first UE to receive the scheduling information from a relay UE using L1 signaling [Par. 0150-0154, Fig 10, Ref 1001].
As claim 14, Zhang [US 2021/0153063] discloses a first user equipment (UE) for wireless communication, comprising: one or more memories; and one or more processors, coupled to the one or more memories, individually or collectively configured to cause the first UE [Fig 5A, Ref 504 for receiving scheduling information from base station using L1 that carrying DCI, Par. 0085, 0139, 0144, 0150, 0158], to: receive, using Layer 1 (L1) signaling, scheduling information from a second UE that indicates a first relay target, the first target that includes an out-of-coverage and a first granted resource for relaying data to the OOC UE using L1 signaling [Par. 0062, 0091, 0150 discloses receives DCI via PDCCH “layer 1 signaling” which includes resources for exchanging data between nodes via side-link wherein the last node is out of coverage]; and transmit the data using L1 signaling based at least in part on the scheduling information [Par. 0085, 0094-0096, 0134, 0139, 0144, 0150, 0158 exchanging data with each other using L1 signaling such as SCI].
As claim 15, Zhang [US 2021/0153063] discloses wherein the first relay target is a third UE, and wherein the one or more processors, to transmit the data, are individually or collectively configured to transmit the data to the third UE using L1 signaling [Fig 5A discloses data is transmitted to another UE using SCI such as scheduling information, Par. 0085, 0094-0096, 0134, 0139, 0144, 0150, 0158].
As claim 17, Zhang [US 2021/0153063] discloses the one or more processors are individually or collectively configured to cause the first UE to transmit a sidelink grant to a third UE using L1 signaling based at least in part on the scheduling information [Par. 0085, 0094-0096, 0134, 0139, 0144, 0150, 0158 and Fig 11, Ref 1102].
As claim 19, Zhang [US 2021/0153063] discloses a network entity [Fig 5, Ref 502] for wireless communication, comprising: one or more memories; and one or more processors, coupled to the one or more memories, individually or collectively configured to cause the network entity to: generate, for a relay user equipment (UE), scheduling information that includes a first target, the first target that includes an out-of-coverage and a first granted resource for relaying data to the OOC UE using L1 signaling [Par. 0062, 0091, 0150 discloses receives DCI via PDCCH “layer 1 signaling” which includes resources for exchanging data between nodes via side-link wherein the last node is out of coverage]; and transmit the scheduling information and the data to the relay UE using Layer 1 (L1) signaling [Par. 0085, 0094-0096, 0134, 0139, 0144, 0150, 0158 exchanging data with each other using L1 signaling such as SCI].
As claim 21, Zhang [US 2021/0153063] discloses the scheduling information includes reverse link information that indicates a resource for transmission from the OOC UE to the relay UE [Par. 0134, 0139, 0144, 0150, 0154, 0158 discloses the resource allocations are for transmitting and receiving between the nodes].
As claim 22, Zhang [US 2021/0153063] discloses the scheduling information includes reverse link information that indicates a resource for transmission from the relay UE to the network entity [Par. 0134, 0139, 0144, 0150, 0154, 0158 discloses the resource allocations are for transmitting and receiving. Fig 5A, Ref 504 exchanging signal with base station].
As claim 25, Zhang [US 2021/0153063] discloses wherein the scheduling information includes relay information for one or more other targets and one or more granted resources associated with the one or more other targets [Par. 0134, 0139, 0144, 0150, 0154, 0158 discloses the scheduling data includes resources for relay nodes and end nodes includes base station and UE].
As claim 26, Zhang [US 2021/0153063] discloses the scheduling information includes reverse link information that indicates a resource for transmission from the OOC UE to the first UE [Par. 0134, 0139, 0144, 0150, 0154, 0158 discloses the resource allocations are for transmitting and receiving. Fig 5A discloses the nodes exchange data].
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.
Claim(s) 16 and 23 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Zhang [US 2021/0153063] in view of Xu [US 2022/0078755].
As claim 16, Zhang [US 2021/0153063] fails to fully disclose what Xu [US 2022/0078755] discloses the scheduling information includes reverse link information that indicates a resource for transmission to a network entity [Fig 22, Ref 2222, Par. 0137-0148 discloses resource for relay ACK to base station, Ref 2236], and wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively configured to cause the first UE to: receive feedback for the data from the third UE using L1 signaling [Fig 22, Ref 2222, Par. 0137-0148 discloses resource for relay ACK to another UE, Ref 2246, 2256]; and forward the feedback to the network entity via the second UE using L1 signaling based at least in part on the reverse link information [Fig 22, Ref 2222, Par. 0137-0148 discloses resource for relay ACK to base station, Ref 2236].
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of claimed invention to apply a method and system as disclosed by Xu into the teaching of Zhang. The motivation would have been to provide a reliable wireless network.
As claim 23, Zhang [US 2021/0153063] fails to fully disclose what Xu [US 2022/0078755] discloses the one or more processors are individually or collectively configured to cause the network entity to: transmit data to the OOC UE via the relay UE using L1 signaling [Fig 2, 16, 22 discloses Base station send data to the OOC UE via the relay UE using L1, Par. 0197]; and receive feedback for the data from the OOC[Fig 2, 16, 22 discloses Base station receives feedback from the OOC UE via the relay UE using L1].
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of claimed invention to apply a method and system as disclosed by Xu into the teaching of Zhang. The motivation would have been to provide a reliable wireless network.
Claim(s) 18 and 24 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Xu [US 2022/0078755]/ Zhang [US 2021/0153063] in view of Ayaz [US 2021/0377993].
As claim 18, Xu [US 2022/0078755]/ Zhang [US 2021/0153063] fails to disclose what Ayaz [US 2021/0377993] discloses the scheduling information includes reverse link information that indicates a resource for transmission to a network entity [Par. 0256, PUCCH resource in MH-DCI], and wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively configured to transmit a buffer status report to a network entity using L1 signaling [Par. 0326, BSR send to Base station via layer one signaling].
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of claimed invention to apply a method and system comprising the scheduling information includes reverse link information that indicates a resource for transmission to a network entity and wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively configured to transmit a buffer status report to a network entity using L1 signaling as disclosed by Ayaz into the teaching of Xu/Zhang. The motivation would have been to expand a wireless network.
As claim 24, Xu [US 2022/0075755]/Zhang [US 2021/0153063] fails to discloses what Ayaz [US 2021/0377993] discloses wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively configured to cause the network entity to receive a buffer status report from the relay UE using L1 signaling [Par. 0326, BSR send to Base station via layer one signaling].
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of claimed invention to apply a method and system comprising the network entity to receive a buffer status report from the relay UE using L1 signaling as disclosed by Ayaz into the teaching of Xu and Zhang. The motivation would have been to expand a wireless network.
Claim(s) 1-6 and 14-26 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Ayaz [US 2021/0377993] in view of Xu [US 2022/0078755].
As claim 1, Ayaz [US 2021/0377993] discloses a first user equipment (UE) for wireless communication [Fig 11, Ref 110 UE2], comprising: one or more memories; and one or more processors, coupled to the one or more memories, individually or collectively configured to cause the first UE to: receive scheduling information for the first UE using Layer 1 (L1) signaling, the scheduling information including a first target and a first granted resource [Par. 0326-0327 discloses UE2 receiving MH-DCI via PDCCH “layer 1 signaling” which includes resources for exchanging data between UE1 and UE2 via sidelink]; and transmit or receive a communication on a sidelink using L1 signaling based at least in part on the scheduling information [Fig 11 discloses UE2 exchanging data with another UE using L1 signaling such as SCI via PSCCH or feedback via PFSCH in PC5]. However, Ayaz fails to disclose what Xu discloses the scheduling information including a first target that includes an out-of-coverage and a first granted resource for relaying data to the OOC UE using L1 signaling. In the same field of endeavor, Xu [US 2022/0078755] discloses the scheduling information including a first target that includes an out-of-coverage and a first granted resource for relaying data to the OOC UE using L1 signaling [Xu discloses Fig 16, Par. 0137-0148 discloses 1610/1620 receives DCI via PDCCH “layer 1 signaling”, Par. 0197, which includes resources for exchanging data between 1610/1602 and 1620-1610 via side-link such as PSCCH wherein 1620-1604 is out of coverage].
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of claimed invention to apply a method and system comprising OOC UE as disclosed by Xu/Zhang into the teaching of Ayaz. The motivation would have been to expand a wireless network.
As claim 2, Ayaz [US 2021/0377993] discloses the first UE is a relay UE [Fig 11, UE2 is relay], and wherein the scheduling information includes relay information for one or more other targets and one or more granted resources associated with the one or more other targets [Par. 0036, UE2 relay MH-DCI including relay information for the other UE and its associated resource, Par. 0326-0327], and wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively configured to cause the first UE to transmit the scheduling information using L1 signaling to a second UE that is one of the one or more other targets [Fig 11, Par. 0036 discloses UE1 relay MH-DCI to UE2 via PSCCH “L1 signaling”].
As claim 3, Ayaz [US 2021/0377993] discloses the one or more processors, to receive the scheduling information, are individually or collectively configured to cause the first UE to receive the scheduling information from another relay UE using L1 signaling [Fig 11, Ref UE2 is receives MH-DCI from UE1 is another relay via PSSCH, Par. 0326-0327].
As claim 4, Ayaz [US 2021/0377993] discloses the scheduling information includes reverse link information that indicates a resource for transmission to a network entity [Fig 11, Ref MH-DCI includes reverse link to transmit to base station, Par. 0036].
As claim 5, Ayaz [US 2021/0377993] discloses to receive the scheduling information, are individually or collectively configured to cause the first UE to receive the scheduling information from a network entity using L1 signaling [Fig 11, UE2 receives MH-DCI from base station via PSCCH/PDCCH, Par. 0326-0327].
As claim 6, Ayaz [US 2021/0377993] discloses the one or more processors, to receive the scheduling information, are individually or collectively configured to cause the first UE to receive the scheduling information from a relay UE using L1 signaling [Fig 11, UE2 receives MH-DCI from UE1 via PSCCH, Par. 0326-0327].
As claim 14, Ayaz [US 2021/0377993] discloses a first user equipment (UE) for wireless communication, comprising: one or more memories; and one or more processors, coupled to the one or more memories, individually or collectively configured to cause the first UE [Fig 11, UE2] to: receive, using Layer 1 (L1) signaling, scheduling information from a second UE that indicates a first relay target, and a first granted resource [Fig 11, Ref UE1 “ second UE” send MH-DCI to UE1 wherein MH-DCI includes a first relay target and first grant resource for UE2, Par. 0326-0327]; and transmit a communication using L1 signaling based at least in part on the scheduling information [Fig 11, UE2 and UE3 exchanged data via PSCCH/PFSCH “physical layer 1 signaling”, Par. 0326-0327]. However, Ayaz fails to disclose the scheduling information including a first target that includes an out-of-coverage and a first granted resource for relaying data to the OOC UE using L1 signaling. In the same field of endeavor, Xu [US 2022/0078755] discloses the scheduling information including a first target that includes an out-of-coverage and a first granted resource for relaying data to the OOC UE using L1 signaling [Xu discloses Fig 16, Par. 0137-0148 discloses 1610/1620 receives DCI via PDCCH “layer 1 signaling”, Par. 0197, which includes resources for exchanging data between 1610/1602 and 1620-1610 via side-link such as PSCCH wherein 1620-1604 is out of coverage].
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of claimed invention to apply a method and system comprising OOC UE as disclosed by Xu into the teaching of Ayaz. The motivation would have been to expand a wireless network.
As claim 15, Ayaz [US 2021/0377993] discloses wherein the first relay target is a third UE, and wherein the one or more processors, to transmit the communication, are individually or collectively configured to transmit data to the third UE using L1 signaling [Fig 11, UE2 and UE3 exchanged data via PSCCH/PFSCH “physical layer 1 signaling”].
As claim 16, Ayaz [US 2021/0377993] discloses the scheduling information includes reverse link information that indicates a resource for transmission to a network entity [Par. 0256, PUCCH resource for relay ACK to base station], and wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively configured to cause the first UE to: receive feedback for the data from the third UE using L1 signaling [Fig 11, UE receives ACK via PFSCH from another UE such UE3 send feedback to UE2]; and forward the feedback to the network entity via the second UE using L1 signaling based at least in part on the reverse link information [Par. 0256, PUCCH resource for relay ACK to base station from UE1].
As claim 17, Ayaz [US 2021/0377993] discloses the one or more processors are individually or collectively configured to cause the first UE to transmit a sidelink grant to a third UE using L1 signaling based at least in part on the scheduling information [Fig 11, Par. 0258, UE2 send MH-DCI to UE3].
As claim 18, Ayaz [US 2021/0377993] discloses the scheduling information includes reverse link information that indicates a resource for transmission to a network entity [Par. 0256, PUCCH resource in MH-DCI], and wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively configured to transmit a buffer status report to a network entity using L1 signaling [Par. 0326, BSR send to Base station via layer one signaling].
As claim 19, Ayaz [US 2021/0377993] discloses a network entity [Fig 11, Ref 1001] for wireless communication, comprising: one or more memories; and one or more processors, coupled to the one or more memories, individually or collectively configured to cause the network entity to: generate, for a relay user equipment (UE), scheduling information that includes a first target and a first granted resource [Par. 0271-0281 discloses base station generates a multihop DCI which includes a scheduling information for one or more UEs and resource for it, Par. 0326-0327]; and transmit the scheduling information to the relay UE using Layer 1 (L1) signaling [Fig 11 discloses multihop DCI conveyed via PDCCH “layer 1 signaling” for conveying between the base station and relay UE1 etc.]. However, Ayaz fails to disclose the scheduling information including a first target that includes an out-of-coverage and a first granted resource for relaying data to the OOC UE using L1 signaling. In the same field of endeavor, Xu [US 2022/0078755] discloses the scheduling information including a first target that includes an out-of-coverage and a first granted resource for relaying data to the OOC UE using L1 signaling [Fig 16, Par. 0137-0148 discloses 1610/1620 receives DCI via PDCCH “layer 1 signaling”, Par. 0197, which includes resources for exchanging data between 1610/1602 and 1620-1610 via side-link such as PSCCH wherein 1620-1604 is out of coverage and Zhang discloses Par. 0085, 0094-0096, 0134, 0139, 0144, 0150, 0158 exchanging data with each other using L1 signaling such as SCI].
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of claimed invention to apply a method and system comprising OOC UE as disclosed by Xu/Zhang into the teaching of Ayaz. The motivation would have been to expand a wireless network.
As claim 21, Xu [US 2022/0078755] discloses the scheduling information includes reverse link information that indicates a resource for transmission from the OOC UE to the relay UE [Fig 2, 16, Fig 22, Par. 0137-0148 discloses scheduling information includes resource for feedback].
As claim 22, Xu [US 2022/0078755] discloses the scheduling information includes reverse link information that indicates a resource for transmission from the relay UE to the network entity [Fig 2, 16, Fig 22, Par. 0137-0148 discloses scheduling information includes resource for feedback].
As claim 23, Xu [US 2022/0078755] discloses the one or more processors are individually or collectively configured to cause the network entity to: transmit data to the OOC UE via the relay UE using L1 signaling [Fig 2, 16, 22 discloses Base station send data to the OOC UE via the relay UE using L1, Par. 0197]; and receive feedback for the data from the OOC[Fig 2, 16, 22 discloses Base station receives feedback from the OOC UE via the relay UE using L1].
As claim 24, Ayaz [US 2021/0377993] discloses wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively configured to cause the network entity to receive a buffer status report from the relay UE using L1 signaling [Par. 0326, BSR send to Base station via layer one signaling].
As claim 25, Ayaz [US 2021/0377993] discloses wherein the scheduling information includes relay information for one or more other targets and one or more granted resources associated with the one or more other targets [Par. 0271-0281 discloses base station generates a multihop DCI which includes a scheduling information for one or more UEs and resource for it].
As claim 26, Xu [US 2022/0078755] the scheduling information includes reverse link information that indicates a resource for transmission from the OOC UE to the first UE [Fig 16, Fig 22, Par. 0137-0148 discloses the scheduling data includes resources for exchanging data from OOC to the first UE].
Claim(s) 1-6, 14-22 and 24-26 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Ayaz [US 2021/0377993] in view of Zhang [US 2021/0153063].
As claim 1, Ayaz [US 2021/0377993] discloses a first user equipment (UE) for wireless communication [Fig 11, Ref 110 UE2], comprising: one or more memories; and one or more processors, coupled to the one or more memories, individually or collectively configured to cause the first UE to: receive scheduling information for the first UE using Layer 1 (L1) signaling, the scheduling information including a first target and a first granted resource [Par. 0326-0327 discloses UE2 receiving MH-DCI via PDCCH “layer 1 signaling” which includes resources for exchanging data between UE1 and UE2 via sidelink]; and transmit or receive a communication on a sidelink using L1 signaling based at least in part on the scheduling information [Fig 11 discloses UE2 exchanging data with another UE using L1 signaling such as SCI via PSCCH or feedback via PFSCH in PC5]. However, Ayaz fails to disclose what Xu discloses the scheduling information including a first target that includes an out-of-coverage and a first granted resource for relaying data to the OOC UE using L1 signaling. In the same field of endeavor, Zhang [US 2021/0153063] discloses the scheduling information including a first target that includes an out-of-coverage and a first granted resource for relaying data to the OOC UE using L1 signaling [Par. 0085, 0094-0096, 0134, 0139, 0144, 0150, 0158 exchanging data with each other using L1 signaling such as SCI].
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of claimed invention to apply a method and system comprising OOC UE as disclosed by Zhang into the teaching of Ayaz. The motivation would have been to expand a wireless network.
As claim 2, Ayaz [US 2021/0377993] discloses the first UE is a relay UE [Fig 11, UE2 is relay], and wherein the scheduling information includes relay information for one or more other targets and one or more granted resources associated with the one or more other targets [Par. 0036, UE2 relay MH-DCI including relay information for the other UE and its associated resource, Par. 0326-0327], and wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively configured to cause the first UE to transmit the scheduling information using L1 signaling to a second UE that is one of the one or more other targets [Fig 11, Par. 0036 discloses UE1 relay MH-DCI to UE2 via PSCCH “L1 signaling”].
As claim 3, Ayaz [US 2021/0377993] discloses the one or more processors, to receive the scheduling information, are individually or collectively configured to cause the first UE to receive the scheduling information from another relay UE using L1 signaling [Fig 11, Ref UE2 is receives MH-DCI from UE1 is another relay via PSSCH, Par. 0326-0327].
As claim 4, Ayaz [US 2021/0377993] discloses the scheduling information includes reverse link information that indicates a resource for transmission to a network entity [Fig 11, Ref MH-DCI includes reverse link to transmit to base station, Par. 0036].
As claim 5, Ayaz [US 2021/0377993] discloses to receive the scheduling information, are individually or collectively configured to cause the first UE to receive the scheduling information from a network entity using L1 signaling [Fig 11, UE2 receives MH-DCI from base station via PSCCH/PDCCH, Par. 0326-0327].
As claim 6, Ayaz [US 2021/0377993] discloses the one or more processors, to receive the scheduling information, are individually or collectively configured to cause the first UE to receive the scheduling information from a relay UE using L1 signaling [Fig 11, UE2 receives MH-DCI from UE1 via PSCCH, Par. 0326-0327].
As claim 14, Ayaz [US 2021/0377993] discloses a first user equipment (UE) for wireless communication, comprising: one or more memories; and one or more processors, coupled to the one or more memories, individually or collectively configured to cause the first UE [Fig 11, UE2] to: receive, using Layer 1 (L1) signaling, scheduling information from a second UE that indicates a first relay target, and a first granted resource [Fig 11, Ref UE1 “ second UE” send MH-DCI to UE1 wherein MH-DCI includes a first relay target and first grant resource for UE2, Par. 0326-0327]; and transmit a communication using L1 signaling based at least in part on the scheduling information [Fig 11, UE2 and UE3 exchanged data via PSCCH/PFSCH “physical layer 1 signaling”, Par. 0326-0327]. However, Ayaz fails to disclose the scheduling information including a first target that includes an out-of-coverage and a first granted resource for relaying data to the OOC UE using L1 signaling. In the same field of endeavor, Zhang [US 2021/0153063] discloses the scheduling information including a first target that includes an out-of-coverage and a first granted resource for relaying data to the OOC UE using L1 signaling [Par. 0085, 0094-0096, 0134, 0139, 0144, 0150, 0158 exchanging data with each other using L1 signaling such as SCI].
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of claimed invention to apply a method and system comprising OOC UE as disclosed by Zhang into the teaching of Ayaz. The motivation would have been to expand a wireless network.
As claim 15, Ayaz [US 2021/0377993] discloses wherein the first relay target is a third UE, and wherein the one or more processors, to transmit the communication, are individually or collectively configured to transmit data to the third UE using L1 signaling [Fig 11, UE2 and UE3 exchanged data via PSCCH/PFSCH “physical layer 1 signaling”].
As claim 16, Ayaz [US 2021/0377993] discloses the scheduling information includes reverse link information that indicates a resource for transmission to a network entity [Par. 0256, PUCCH resource for relay ACK to base station], and wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively configured to cause the first UE to: receive feedback for the data from the third UE using L1 signaling [Fig 11, UE receives ACK via PFSCH from another UE such UE3 send feedback to UE2]; and forward the feedback to the network entity via the second UE using L1 signaling based at least in part on the reverse link information [Par. 0256, PUCCH resource for relay ACK to base station from UE1].
As claim 17, Ayaz [US 2021/0377993] discloses the one or more processors are individually or collectively configured to cause the first UE to transmit a sidelink grant to a third UE using L1 signaling based at least in part on the scheduling information [Fig 11, Par. 0258, UE2 send MH-DCI to UE3].
As claim 18, Ayaz [US 2021/0377993] discloses the scheduling information includes reverse link information that indicates a resource for transmission to a network entity [Par. 0256, PUCCH resource in MH-DCI], and wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively configured to transmit a buffer status report to a network entity using L1 signaling [Par. 0326, BSR send to Base station via layer one signaling].
As claim 19, Ayaz [US 2021/0377993] discloses a network entity [Fig 11, Ref 100] for wireless communication, comprising: one or more memories; and one or more processors, coupled to the one or more memories, individually or collectively configured to cause the network entity to: generate, for a relay user equipment (UE), scheduling information that includes a first target and a first granted resource [Par. 0271-0281 discloses base station generates a multihop DCI which includes a scheduling information for one or more UEs and resource for it, Par. 0326-0327]; and transmit the scheduling information to the relay UE using Layer 1 (L1) signaling [Fig 11 discloses multihop DCI conveyed via PDCCH “layer 1 signaling” for conveying between the base station and relay UE1 etc.]. However, Ayaz fails to disclose the scheduling information including a first target that includes an out-of-coverage and a first granted resource for relaying data to the OOC UE using L1 signaling. In the same field of endeavor, Zhang [US 2021/0153063] discloses the scheduling information including a first target that includes an out-of-coverage and a first granted resource for relaying data to the OOC UE using L1 signaling [Par. 0085, 0094-0096, 0134, 0139, 0144, 0150, 0158 exchanging data with each other using L1 signaling such as SCI].
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of claimed invention to apply a method and system comprising OOC UE as disclosed by Zhang into the teaching of Ayaz. The motivation would have been to expand a wireless network.
As claim 21, Zhang [US 2021/0153063] discloses the scheduling information includes reverse link information that indicates a resource for transmission from the OOC UE to the relay UE [Par. 0134, 0139, 0144, 0150, 0154, 0158 discloses the resource allocations are for transmitting and receiving between the nodes].
As claim 22, Zhang [US 2021/0153063] discloses the scheduling information includes reverse link information that indicates a resource for transmission from the relay UE to the network entity [Par. 0134, 0139, 0144, 0150, 0154, 0158 discloses the resource allocations are for transmitting and receiving. Fig 5A, Ref 504 exchanging signal with base station].
As claim 24, Ayaz [US 2021/0377993] discloses wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively configured to cause the network entity to receive a buffer status report from the relay UE using L1 signaling [Par. 0326, BSR send to Base station via layer one signaling].
As claim 25, Ayaz [US 2021/0377993] discloses wherein the scheduling information includes relay information for one or more other targets and one or more granted resources associated with the one or more other targets [Par. 0271-0281 discloses base station generates a multihop DCI which includes a scheduling information for one or more UEs and resource for it].
As claim 26, Zhang [US 2021/0153063] discloses the scheduling information includes reverse link information that indicates a resource for transmission from the OOC UE to the first UE [Par. 0134, 0139, 0144, 0150, 0154, 0158 discloses the resource allocations are for transmitting and receiving. Fig 5A discloses the nodes exchange data].
Claim(s) 23 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Ayaz [US 2021/0377993] and Zhang [US 2021/0153063] as applied to claim 19 above, and further in view of Xu [US 2022/0078755].
As claim 23, Zhang [US 2021/0153063] fails to fully disclose what Xu [US 2022/0078755] discloses the one or more processors are individually or collectively configured to cause the network entity to: transmit data to the OOC UE via the relay UE using L1 signaling [Fig 2, 16, 22 discloses Base station send data to the OOC UE via the relay UE using L1, Par. 0197]; and receive feedback for the data from the OOC[Fig 2, 16, 22 discloses Base station receives feedback from the OOC UE via the relay UE using L1].
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of claimed invention to apply a method and system as disclosed by Xu into the teaching of Ayaz [US 2021/0377993] and Zhang [US 2021/0153063]. The motivation would have been to provide a reliable wireless network.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 5/8/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
In response to pages 9-14, the applicant stated that Xu does not disclose the nodes exchange data via L1 signaling because it decodes and re-encoding data. In reply, Xu clearly discloses the nodes using L1 signaling such as SCI to forward data [See Fig 16, 18-21 wherein the SCI and Data is forwarded together between the nodes using L1 signaling such as SCI]. So, Xu performs the claimed invention.
Conclusion
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/STEVEN HIEU D NGUYEN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2414
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