DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments towards independent claims 1, 17, 27 and 30 under the 35 U.S.C. 102 rejection have been fully considered but are moot in view of the new ground(s) of rejection.
Applicant’s arguments with respect to the double patenting rejection have been fully considered but are moot in view of the new ground(s) of rejection.
Applicant’s argument with respect to the 35 U.S.C. 101 rejection has been fully considered and the rejection has been withdrawn in view of amended claims and applicant’s remarks.
Applicant’s arguments towards dependent claims 9 and 20 have been fully considered but are not persuasive.
Applicant argues “LJUNG discusses different power modes, but where there is selection between them. However, LJUNG does not disclose "wherein the request includes one or more bits that indicate to cancel or extend a reduced power state," as recited in claim 9 (emphasis added). Rather LJUNG merely provides and discusses a mechanism to select between different power modes” (see remarks pg. 14).
In response to applicant’s argument, the examiner respectfully disagrees because the claim requires to simply extend a reduced power state, where the examiner interprets as any reduced power state. Ljung discloses in at least paragraph [0017] the following “At least two power modes of the plurality of power modes may be distinguished from each other in the number of DRX states. The logic may select one of these at least two power modes. For illustration, a first power mode may have only one DRX state while the mobile terminal is in the idle state. A second power mode may have two different DRX states while the mobile terminal is in the idle state. The two different DRX states may be an idle DRX state with long DRX cycle and an idle DRX state with short DRX cycle”. The examiner interprets DRX modes in general to be of reduced power state. The examiner also interprets a long DRX cycle to be an extended reduced power state (compared to other DRX modes), and when selected as a mode, it is selecting to extend a reduced power state as it is an extended reduced power state.
Double Patenting
The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on nonstatutory double patenting provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with the examined application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. See MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP §§ 706.02(l)(1) - 706.02(l)(3) for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b).
The USPTO Internet website contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms. The filing date of the application in which the form is filed determines what form (e.g., PTO/SB/25, PTO/SB/26, PTO/AIA /25, or PTO/AIA /26) should be used. A web-based eTerminal Disclaimer may be filled out completely online using web-screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets all requirements is auto-processed and approved immediately upon submission. For more information about eTerminal Disclaimers, refer to www.uspto.gov/patents/process/file/efs/guidance/eTD-info-I.jsp.
Claims 1, 17, 27 and 30 are provisionally rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claim 3 of US 2024/0205827 A1 (hereinafter “’827”) in view of Ljung et al. (US 2015/0223285 A1, hereinafter “Ljung”). Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other. For instance, the table below compares the different parts of exemplary claim 1. Those not underlined are the same or effectively the same parts:
Instant Application 18/362,846
Copending Application US 2024/0205827 A1 (18/553,802)
1. A user equipment (UE) for wireless communication, comprising: one or more memories; and one or more processors, coupled to the one or more memories, individually and collectively configured to cause the UE to:
select, based at least in part on determining that an energy status of the UE satisfies a threshold, a UE operation state that is either a reduced power state or a non-reduced power state; and
transmit a request to enter the UE operation state.
1. A method of wireless communication performed by a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: determining to change a power mode of the UE to a new power mode, the new power mode comprising a power saving mode in which the UE measures positioning reference signals (PRSs) from one transmission/reception point (TRP) or a normal power mode in which the UE measures PRSs from more than one TRP; and changing the power mode of the UE to the new power mode.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein: determining to change the power mode of the UE to a new power mode comprises sending, to a location server, a request to change the power mode of the UE to the new power mode, and receiving, from the location server, a positioning configuration associated with the new power mode; and changing the power mode of the UE to the new power mode comprises using the positioning configuration for the new power mode that was received from the location server.
Copending Application ‘827 discloses claim 1 as show above, but does not explicitly disclose based at least in part on determining that an energy status of the UE satisfies a threshold.
However, Ljung discloses to select, based at least in part on determining that an energy status of the UE satisfies a threshold (“The power mode may be selected depending on whether the mobile terminal 20 has been in a standby mode for a certain time period. The power mode may be selected depending on whether a display 25 of the mobile terminal 20 has been switched off for a predefined time period”; [0071]), a UE operation state that is either a reduced power state or a non-reduced power state (“At 31, a logic determines a most suitable power mode for the mobile terminal. A selection algorithm may be employed to determine which power mode of a plurality of power modes is the most suitable power mode. In one implementation, a power mode with lower power consumption than a regular, fully operative power mode may be determined”; Figs. 2-3; [0083]-[0084]; [0090]).
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teaching of Ljung into the system/method of Application ‘827 as it would allow to select, based at least in part on determining that an energy status of the UE satisfies a threshold, a UE operation state that is either a reduced power state or a non-reduced power state. Such combination would have been obvious as the references are from analogous art, where a motivation would have been to improve battery lifetime (Ljung; [0053]).
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 17-26 and 30 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 pre-AIA the applicant regards as the invention.
Claim 17 recites “A network entity… receive, from a user equipment (UE) based at least in part on the UE determining that an energy status of the UE satisfies a threshold, a request for the UE to enter a UE operation state”. The examiner notes the preamble is directed towards a “network entity”. Accordingly, any limitation not further limiting the structure or functionality of the “network entity” has no patentable weight. For instance, said limitation recites the UE making a determinization (i.e., “the UE determining that an energy status of the UE satisfies a threshold”), which would hold no patentable weight. It is unclear if applicant deems this limitation as the novel feature over the prior art and intends to have patentable weight, if so the examiner suggests reciting the claim as a system claim. Similar rejection applies to claim 30.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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 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 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)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 1-12, 14, 17-23, 25 and 27-30 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Ljung et al. (US 2015/0223285 A1, hereinafter “Ljung”).
As to claim 1:
Ljung discloses a user equipment (UE) for wireless communication (mobile terminal 20; Figs. 2-3), comprising:
one or more memories (memory; see Fig. 1; [0123]; [0080]); and
one or more processors, coupled to the one or more memories, individually or collectively configured to cause the UE to (“processing device 23 which controls operation of the mobile terminal 20”; see Fig. 1; [0067] memory; [0123]; [0080]):
select, based at least in part on determining that an energy status of the UE satisfies a threshold (“The power mode may be selected depending on whether the mobile terminal 20 has been in a standby mode for a certain time period. The power mode may be selected depending on whether a display 25 of the mobile terminal 20 has been switched off for a predefined time period”; [0071]), a UE operation state that is either a reduced power state or a non-reduced power state (“At 31, a logic determines a most suitable power mode for the mobile terminal. A selection algorithm may be employed to determine which power mode of a plurality of power modes is the most suitable power mode. In one implementation, a power mode with lower power consumption than a regular, fully operative power mode may be determined”; Figs. 2-3; [0083]-[0084]; [0090]); and
transmit a request to enter the UE operation state (“If power mode "M" is selected because it is the most suitable power mode, at 35 a power mode change request is transmitted which includes an indicator for the power mode "M"”; Figs. 2-3 element 41; [0087]; [0090]).
As to claim 2:
Ljung further discloses wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively configured to cause the UE to (“processing device 23 which controls operation of the mobile terminal 20”; see Fig. 1; [0067]):
receive an indication to enter the UE operation state based at least in part on the request (“If the base station 11 or another RAN node determines that the mobile terminal 20 may switch its power mode to the selected power mode, it transmits a positive acknowledgement (ack) message 42 to the mobile terminal 20”; see Fig. 3; [0092]); and
enter the UE operation state based at least in part on the indication (“in response to receiving the power mode change response which accepts the power mode switching, the mobile terminal 20 changes the power mode to the power mode indicated in the message 41”; Fig. 3; [0093]).
As to claim 3:
Ljung further discloses wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively configured to cause the UE to: receive an indication (“The message 42 is a power mode change response which accepts the power mode switching requested by the mobile terminal”; see Fig. 3; [0092]) to enter an adjusted UE operation state based at least in part on the request (switch to the selected power mode = adjust UE operation state; see Fig. 3; [0026]; [0080]; [0071]-[0074]); and enter the adjusted UE operation state based at least in part on the indication (see Fig. 3 element 43; see also “The power mode change request may comprise a plurality of indicator bits which include the indicator for the selected power mode. The power mode change request may comprise two indicator bits. The power mode change request may comprise three indicator bits. Accordingly, up to four or up to eight different power modes may be defined”; [0026] “switch to the selected power mode”; Abstract; [0080]; [0071]-[0074]).
As to claim 4:
Ljung further discloses wherein the reduced power state is associated with skipping uplink or downlink signals, skipping monitoring of physical downlink control channel communications, disabling use of a channel, discontinuous reception, or a switch to a search space set group for saving power (“The selected power mode and at least one other power mode of the plurality of power modes may have different DRX parameter settings”; [0014]-[0017]; [0075]-[0076] For examination purposes, the examiner selected “discontinuous reception” from the group of alternatives).
As to claim 5:
Ljung further discloses wherein the reduced power state is configured with resources to transmit a new request to enter a new UE operation state (“The power mode change request may comprise a plurality of indicator bits which include the indicator for the selected power mode. The power mode change request may comprise two indicator bits. The power mode change request may comprise three indicator bits. Accordingly, up to four or up to eight different power modes may be defined”; [0026] “switch to the selected power mode”; Abstract; [0080]; [0071]-[0074]).
As to claim 6:
Ljung further discloses wherein the UE operation state is associated with a set of uplink transmission occasions (“the different power modes may correspond to definitions of different DRX cycle lengths and/or different paging cycles when the mobile terminal is in an RRC disconnected state while operating in the respective mode. For further illustration, the different power modes may correspond to different output power classes of the mobile terminal 20”; [0075] “ the selected power mode may add one or more additional DRX cycles. A power mode could for example add a long DRX level, in addition to a standard idle state DRX, to the idle RRC state”; [0076]).
As to claim 7:
Ljung further discloses wherein the UE operation state is used for an uplink transmission occasion (“The application(s) would normally transmit data over the wireless interface 21 to the communication network 10 and would receive data from the communication network 10”; [0072]; [0025] the power mode of when the mobile terminal/application transmits data to the network = the UE operation state) based at least in part on a specified condition (“when the display is switched off”;[0025]; [0009]; [0108] note: based on display being on or off).
As to claim 8:
Ljung further discloses wherein the request includes one or more bits that indicate to remain in a same UE operation state, switch to a first new UE operation state, or switch to a second new operation state (“The power mode change request may comprise a plurality of indicator bits which include the indicator for the selected power mode. The power mode change request may comprise two indicator bits. The power mode change request may comprise three indicator bits. Accordingly, up to four or up to eight different power modes may be defined”; [0026] “switch to the selected power mode”; Abstract; [0080]; [0071]-[0074]).
As to claim 9:
Ljung further discloses wherein the request includes one or more bits that indicate to cancel or extend a reduced power state (“The two different DRX states may be an idle DRX state with long DRX cycle and an idle DRX state with short DRX cycle”; [0017]; [0026]; [0076]; [0090] regular power mode; [0007]; [0017]).
As to claim 10:
Ljung further discloses wherein the one or more processors, to transmit the request (see Fig. 2; elements 33-35), are individually or collectively configured to cause the UE to transmit the request in multiple transmission stages (see Fig. 2; multiple stages to transmit power mode change request).
As to claim 11:
Ljung further discloses wherein the one or more processors, to select the UE operation state (“At 31, a logic determines a most suitable power mode for the mobile terminal. A selection algorithm may be employed to determine which power mode of a plurality of power modes is the most suitable power mode. In one implementation, a power mode with lower power consumption than a regular, fully operative power mode may be determined”; Figs. 2-3; [0083]-[0084]; [0090]), are individually or collectively configured to select a set of UE operation states (“A second power mode may have two different DRX states while the mobile terminal is in the idle state. The two different DRX states may be an idle DRX state with long DRX cycle and an idle DRX state with short DRX cycle”; [0017]; [0105]; [0090]), and wherein the request includes the set of operation states (“If power mode "M" is selected because it is the most suitable power mode, at 35 a power mode change request is transmitted which includes an indicator for the power mode "M"”; Figs. 2-3; [0087]; [0090]; [0017]; [0105]).
As to claim 12:
Ljung further discloses wherein the request indicates a resource that is associated with the set of UE operation states (“The power mode change request may comprise a plurality of indicator bits which include the indicator for the selected power mode. The power mode change request may comprise two indicator bits. The power mode change request may comprise three indicator bits. Accordingly, up to four or up to eight different power modes may be defined”; [0026] “switch to the selected power mode”; Abstract; [0080]; [0071]-[0074] “A second power mode may have two different DRX states while the mobile terminal is in the idle state. The two different DRX states may be an idle DRX state with long DRX cycle and an idle DRX state with short DRX cycle”; [0017]; [0105]; [0090] note: bit(s)=resource).
As to claim 14:
Ljung further discloses wherein the UE operation state is one of multiple UE operation states, each UE operation state being associated with one or more resources (“At least two power modes of the plurality of power modes may be distinguished from each other in the number of DRX states. The logic may select one of these at least two power modes. For illustration, a first power mode may have only one DRX state while the mobile terminal is in the idle state. A second power mode may have two different DRX states while the mobile terminal is in the idle state. The two different DRX states may be an idle DRX state with long DRX cycle and an idle DRX state with short DRX cycle”; [0017]).
As to claim 17:
Ljung discloses a network entity for wireless communication (base station 11; see Figs. 3 and 8; Abstract), comprising:
one or more memories (memory of base station; see Fig. 8; [0111]-[0112]; [0123]); and
one or more processors, coupled to the one or more memories, individually or collectively configured to cause the network entity to (processor and memory of base station; see Fig. 8; [0111]-[0112]; [0123]):
receive, from a user equipment (UE) based at least in part on the UE determining that an energy status of the UE satisfies a threshold (“The power mode may be selected depending on whether the mobile terminal 20 has been in a standby mode for a certain time period. The power mode may be selected depending on whether a display 25 of the mobile terminal 20 has been switched off for a predefined time period”; [0071]), a request for the UE to enter a UE operation state (“If power mode "M" is selected because it is the most suitable power mode, at 35 a power mode change request is transmitted which includes an indicator for the power mode "M"”; Figs. 2-3 element 41; [0087]; [0090]) that is either a reduced power state or a non-reduced power state (“At 31, a logic determines a most suitable power mode for the mobile terminal. A selection algorithm may be employed to determine which power mode of a plurality of power modes is the most suitable power mode. In one implementation, a power mode with lower power consumption than a regular, fully operative power mode may be determined”; Figs. 2-3; [0083]-[0084]; [0090]); and
transmit an indication to enter the UE operation state or an adjusted UE operation state based at least in part on the request (“The message 42 is a power mode change response which accepts the power mode switching requested by the mobile terminal”; see Figs. 2-3 element 42; [0092]).
As to claim 18:
Ljung further discloses wherein the UE operation state is associated with a set of uplink transmission occasions (“the different power modes may correspond to definitions of different DRX cycle lengths and/or different paging cycles when the mobile terminal is in an RRC disconnected state while operating in the respective mode. For further illustration, the different power modes may correspond to different output power classes of the mobile terminal 20”; [0075] “ the selected power mode may add one or more additional DRX cycles. A power mode could for example add a long DRX level, in addition to a standard idle state DRX, to the idle RRC state”; [0076]).
As to claim 19:
Ljung further discloses wherein the indication includes one or more bits that indicate to remain in a same UE operation state, switch to a first new UE operation state, or switch to a second new operation state (“The power mode change request may comprise a plurality of indicator bits which include the indicator for the selected power mode. The power mode change request may comprise two indicator bits. The power mode change request may comprise three indicator bits. Accordingly, up to four or up to eight different power modes may be defined”; [0026] “switch to the selected power mode”; Abstract; [0080]; [0071]-[0074]).
As to claim 20:
Ljung further discloses wherein the indication includes one or more bits that indicate to cancel or extend a reduced power state (“The two different DRX states may be an idle DRX state with long DRX cycle and an idle DRX state with short DRX cycle”; [0017]; [0026]; [0076]; [0090] regular power mode; [0007]; [0017]).
As to claim 21:
Ljung further discloses wherein the one or more processors, to receive the request (see Fig. 2; elements 33-35), are individually or collectively configured to cause the network entity to receive the request in multiple transmission stages (see Fig. 2; multiple stages to transmit power mode change request).
As to claim 22:
Ljung further discloses wherein the UE operation state includes a set of UE operation states (“A second power mode may have two different DRX states while the mobile terminal is in the idle state. The two different DRX states may be an idle DRX state with long DRX cycle and an idle DRX state with short DRX cycle”; [0017]; [0105]; [0090]), and wherein the indication indicates one or more UE operation states (“If power mode "M" is selected because it is the most suitable power mode, at 35 a power mode change request is transmitted which includes an indicator for the power mode "M"”; Figs. 2-3; [0087]; [0090]; [0017]; [0105]).
As to claim 23:
Ljung further discloses wherein the request indicates a resource that is associated with the set of UE operation states (“The power mode change request may comprise a plurality of indicator bits which include the indicator for the selected power mode. The power mode change request may comprise two indicator bits. The power mode change request may comprise three indicator bits. Accordingly, up to four or up to eight different power modes may be defined”; [0026] “switch to the selected power mode”; Abstract; [0080]; [0071]-[0074] “A second power mode may have two different DRX states while the mobile terminal is in the idle state. The two different DRX states may be an idle DRX state with long DRX cycle and an idle DRX state with short DRX cycle”; [0017]; [0105]; [0090] note: bit(s)=resource), and wherein the indication indicates the resource (“The power mode change request may comprise a plurality of indicator bits which include the indicator for the selected power mode. The power mode change request may comprise two indicator bits. The power mode change request may comprise three indicator bits. Accordingly, up to four or up to eight different power modes may be defined”; [0026] “switch to the selected power mode”; Abstract; [0080]; [0071]-[0074] “A second power mode may have two different DRX states while the mobile terminal is in the idle state. The two different DRX states may be an idle DRX state with long DRX cycle and an idle DRX state with short DRX cycle”; [0017]; [0105]; [0090] note: bit(s)=resource).
As to claim 25:
Ljung further discloses wherein the UE operation state is one of multiple UE operation states, each UE operation state being associated with one or more resources (“At least two power modes of the plurality of power modes may be distinguished from each other in the number of DRX states. The logic may select one of these at least two power modes. For illustration, a first power mode may have only one DRX state while the mobile terminal is in the idle state. A second power mode may have two different DRX states while the mobile terminal is in the idle state. The two different DRX states may be an idle DRX state with long DRX cycle and an idle DRX state with short DRX cycle”; [0017]).
As to claim 27:
Ljung discloses a method of wireless communication performed by a user equipment (UE) (mobile terminal 20; Figs. 2-3; Abstract), comprising:
selecting, based at least in part on determining that an energy status of the UE satisfies a threshold (“The power mode may be selected depending on whether the mobile terminal 20 has been in a standby mode for a certain time period. The power mode may be selected depending on whether a display 25 of the mobile terminal 20 has been switched off for a predefined time period”; [0071]), a UE operation state that is either a reduced power state or a non-reduced power state (“At 31, a logic determines a most suitable power mode for the mobile terminal. A selection algorithm may be employed to determine which power mode of a plurality of power modes is the most suitable power mode. In one implementation, a power mode with lower power consumption than a regular, fully operative power mode may be determined”; Figs. 2-3; [0083]-[0084]; [0090]); and
transmitting a request to enter the UE operation state (“If power mode "M" is selected because it is the most suitable power mode, at 35 a power mode change request is transmitted which includes an indicator for the power mode "M"”; Figs. 2-3 element 41; [0087]; [0090]).
As to claim 28:
Ljung further discloses receiving an indication to enter the UE operation state or an adjusted UE operation state based at least in part on the request (“If the base station 11 or another RAN node determines that the mobile terminal 20 may switch its power mode to the selected power mode, it transmits a positive acknowledgement (ack) message 42 to the mobile terminal 20”; see Fig. 3; [0092] for examination purposes the examiner selects “the UE operation state” from the group of alternatives); and
entering the UE operation state or the adjusted UE operation state based at least in part on the indication (“in response to receiving the power mode change response which accepts the power mode switching, the mobile terminal 20 changes the power mode to the power mode indicated in the message 41”; Fig. 3; [0093] for examination purposes the examiner selects “the UE operation state” from the group of alternatives).
As to claim 29:
Ljung further discloses wherein the reduced power state is configured with resources to transmit a new request to enter a new UE operation state (“The power mode change request may comprise a plurality of indicator bits which include the indicator for the selected power mode. The power mode change request may comprise two indicator bits. The power mode change request may comprise three indicator bits. Accordingly, up to four or up to eight different power modes may be defined”; [0026] “switch to the selected power mode”; Abstract; [0080]; [0071]-[0074]).
As to claim 30:
Ljung discloses a method of wireless communication performed by a network entity (base station 11; see Fig. 3; Abstract), comprising:
receiving, from a user equipment (UE) based at least in part on the UE determining that an energy status of the UE satisfies a threshold (“The power mode may be selected depending on whether the mobile terminal 20 has been in a standby mode for a certain time period. The power mode may be selected depending on whether a display 25 of the mobile terminal 20 has been switched off for a predefined time period”; [0071]), a request for the UE to enter a UE operation state (“If power mode "M" is selected because it is the most suitable power mode, at 35 a power mode change request is transmitted which includes an indicator for the power mode "M"”; Figs. 2-3 element 41; [0087]; [0090]) that is either a reduced power state or a non-reduced power state (“At 31, a logic determines a most suitable power mode for the mobile terminal. A selection algorithm may be employed to determine which power mode of a plurality of power modes is the most suitable power mode. In one implementation, a power mode with lower power consumption than a regular, fully operative power mode may be determined”; Figs. 2-3; [0083]-[0084]; [0090]); and
transmitting an indication to enter the UE operation state or an adjusted UE operation state based at least in part on the request (“The message 42 is a power mode change response which accepts the power mode switching requested by the mobile terminal”; see Figs. 2-3 element 42; [0092]).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102 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.
Claims 13, 15, 24 and 26 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Ljung (US 2015/0223285 A1) in view of Wang et al. (US 2023/0309181 A1, hereinafter “Wang”).
As to claim 13:
Ljung further discloses wherein the UE operation state is associated with a set of resources (“The power mode change request may comprise a plurality of indicator bits which include the indicator for the selected power mode. The power mode change request may comprise two indicator bits. The power mode change request may comprise three indicator bits. Accordingly, up to four or up to eight different power modes may be defined”; [0026] “switch to the selected power mode”; Abstract; [0080]; [0071]-[0074]), but does not explicitly disclose for a scheduling request.
However, Wang discloses for a scheduling request (“a value of data bearer included in the SR information is greater than or equal to (greater than) X1, it indicates that the terminal device requests mode switching. For example, the terminal device switches from the first mode to the second mode, or the terminal device switches from the second mode to the first mode”; [0298]-[0299]; [0275] “mode switching request signal sent by the terminal device may be 1-bit indication mode switching… 1 bit in this embodiment of this application may also be M bits, where M is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1, for example, may also be 2 bits”; see [0562]-[0564]).
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teaching of Wang into Ljung’s system/method as it would allow the UE operation state to be associated with a set of resources for a scheduling request. Such combination would have been obvious as the references are from analogous art, where a motivation would have been to reduce delay and energy consumption as well as improve efficiency (Wang; [0009]; [0011]; [0118]).
As to claim 15:
Ljung discloses the invention set forth above, but does not explicitly disclose wherein the request is indicated by a scheduling request value.
However, Wang discloses wherein the request is indicated by a scheduling request value (“a value of data bearer included in the SR information is greater than or equal to (greater than) X1, it indicates that the terminal device requests mode switching. For example, the terminal device switches from the first mode to the second mode, or the terminal device switches from the second mode to the first mode”; [0298]-[0299]; [0275]).
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teaching of Wang into Ljung’s system/method as it would allow the request is indicated by a scheduling request value. Such combination would have been obvious as the references are from analogous art, where a motivation would have been to reduce delay and energy consumption as well as improve efficiency (Wang; [0009]; [0011]; [0118]).
As to claim 24:
Ljung further discloses wherein the UE operation state is associated with a set of resources (“The power mode change request may comprise a plurality of indicator bits which include the indicator for the selected power mode. The power mode change request may comprise two indicator bits. The power mode change request may comprise three indicator bits. Accordingly, up to four or up to eight different power modes may be defined”; [0026] “switch to the selected power mode”; Abstract; [0080]; [0071]-[0074]), but does not explicitly disclose for a scheduling request.
However, Wang discloses for a scheduling request (“a value of data bearer included in the SR information is greater than or equal to (greater than) X1, it indicates that the terminal device requests mode switching. For example, the terminal device switches from the first mode to the second mode, or the terminal device switches from the second mode to the first mode”; [0298]-[0299]; [0275] “mode switching request signal sent by the terminal device may be 1-bit indication mode switching… 1 bit in this embodiment of this application may also be M bits, where M is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1, for example, may also be 2 bits”; see [0562]-[0564]).
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teaching of Wang into Ljung’s system/method as it would allow the UE operation state to be associated with a set of resources for a scheduling request. Such combination would have been obvious as the references are from analogous art, where a motivation would have been to reduce delay and energy consumption as well as improve efficiency (Wang; [0009]; [0011]; [0118]).
As to claim 26:
Ljung discloses the invention set forth above, but does not explicitly disclose wherein the request is indicated by a scheduling request value.
However, Wang discloses wherein the request is indicated by a scheduling request value (“a value of data bearer included in the SR information is greater than or equal to (greater than) X1, it indicates that the terminal device requests mode switching. For example, the terminal device switches from the first mode to the second mode, or the terminal device switches from the second mode to the first mode”; [0298]-[0299]; [0275]).
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teaching of Wang into Ljung’s system/method as it would allow the request is indicated by a scheduling request value. Such combination would have been obvious as the references are from analogous art, where a motivation would have been to reduce delay and energy consumption as well as improve efficiency (Wang; [0009]; [0011]; [0118]).
Claim 16 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Ljung (US 2015/0223285 A1) in view of Wang (US 2023/0309181 A1) and further in view of Khoshkholgh Dashtaki et al. (US 2025/0176067 A1, hereinafter “Khoshkholgh Dashtaki”).
As to claim 16:
The combined system/method of Ljung and Wang discloses the invention set forth above, but does not explicitly disclose wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively configured to cause the UE to disable a prohibitive timer for scheduling requests.
However, Khoshkholgh Dashtaki discloses wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively configured to cause the UE to disable a prohibitive timer for scheduling requests (“the wireless device may cancel the pending SR, and/or stop the SR prohibit timer”; [0259] “ the SR prohibit timer may be a duration during which the wireless device may be not allowed to transmit the SR”; [0252]; [0307]).
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teaching of Khoshkholgh Dashtaki into the combined system/method of Ljung and Wang as it would allow the one or more processors to be individually or collectively configured to cause the UE to disable a prohibitive timer for scheduling requests. Such combination would have been obvious as the references are from analogous art where applying a known technique to a known device (method, or product) ready for improvement would yield predictable results. Such combination would have also improved data transmission (Khoshkholgh; [0252]-[0259]).
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.
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/MARIELA VIDAL CARPIO/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2476