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 .
Election/Restrictions
Claims 6-9 and 15-18 are withdrawn from further consideration pursuant to 37 CFR 1.142(b) as being drawn to a nonelected invention, there being no allowable generic or linking claim. Election was made without traverse in the reply filed on 11/28/2025.
Drawings
The drawings are objected to because the sheet numbering is in the top margin of sheets 1-10. These numbers must be placed in the middle of the top of the sheet, but not in the margin. Each sheet must include a top margin of at least 1 inch, a left side margin of at least 1 inch, a right side margin of at least 5/8 inch, and a bottom margin of at least 3/8 inch. One of the shorter sides of the sheet is regarded as its top.
Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to the Office Action to avoid abandonment of the application. Any amended replacement drawing sheet should include all of the figures appearing on the immediate prior version of the sheet, even if only one figure is being amended. The figure or figure number of an amended drawing should not be labeled as “amended.” If a drawing figure is to be canceled, the appropriate figure must be removed from the replacement sheet, and where necessary, the remaining figures must be renumbered and appropriate changes made to the brief description of the several views of the drawings for consistency. Additional replacement sheets may be necessary to show the renumbering of the remaining figures. Each drawing sheet submitted after the filing date of an application must be labeled in the top margin as either “Replacement Sheet” or “New Sheet” pursuant to 37 CFR 1.121(d). If the changes are not accepted by the Examiner, the Applicant will be notified and informed of any required corrective action in the next Office Action. The objection to the drawings will not be held in abeyance.
Specification
The title of the invention is not descriptive. A new title is required that is clearly indicative of the invention to which the claims are directed.
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)(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.
Claims 1-3 and 10-12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Wei et al. (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2024/0007908 A1) (hereinafter Wei).
Regarding claim 1, Wei discloses a wireless communication method (Paragraph 0001 discloses the present disclosure relates to communications devices, infrastructure equipment and methods for the transmission of data in a wireless communications network using relay devices), comprising:
when a condition for releasing paging related configuration is satisfied, releasing, by a relay terminal, a paging related configuration of a remote terminal (Figure 6 and 7 and paragraphs 0089 and 0090 disclose the old base station 201 may transmit a Release PC5 indication 702 to the old (first) relay UE 406, in response to receiving (at step S564) the Retrieve UE Context Request 508. The Release PC5 indication 702 indicates that the first communications device (remote UE) 204 is no longer obtaining service via the old relay UE 406. In response to receiving the Release PC5 indication 702, the old relay 406 may release the sidelink (e.g. PC5) connection at step S756. A relay device providing a relay functionality to a remote device monitors paging opportunities in accordance with a schedule of paging opportunities associated with the remote device, whereby paging messages destined for the remote device may be transmitted by the serving base station in accordance with the schedule); and
stopping, by the relay terminal, monitoring a paging message for the remote terminal and/or stopping forwarding the paging message to the remote terminal (Figure 6 and 7 and paragraph 0090 discloses in response to receiving the Release PC5 indication 702, the old relay UE 406 may cease monitoring paging occasions according to the schedule associated with the remote communications device 204 in the first cell).
Regarding claim 2, as applied to claim 1 above, Wei further discloses wherein the condition for releasing paging related configuration comprises at least one of: the relay terminal has received an indication of releasing paging related configuration; or the remote terminal is in a connected state (Figure 6 and 7 and paragraph 008 disclose the old base station 201 may transmit a Release PC5 indication 702 to the old (first) relay UE 406, in response to receiving (at step S564) the Retrieve UE Context Request 508. The Release PC5 indication 702 indicates that the first communications device (remote UE) 204 is no longer obtaining service via the old relay UE 406. in response to receiving the Release PC5 indication 702, the old relay 406 may release the sidelink (e.g. PC5) connection at step S756).
Regarding claim 3, as applied to claim 2 above, Wei further discloses wherein the indication of releasing paging related configuration is from the remote device or the network device (Figure 6 and 7 and paragraph 008 disclose the old base station 201 may transmit a Release PC5 indication 702 to the old (first) relay UE 406, in response to receiving (at step S564) the Retrieve UE Context Request 508. The Release PC5 indication 702 indicates that the first communications device (remote UE) 204 is no longer obtaining service via the old relay UE 406. in response to receiving the Release PC5 indication 702, the old relay 406 may release the sidelink (e.g. PC5) connection at step S756).
Regarding claim 10, Wei discloses a relay terminal, comprising a processor and a memory configured to store a computer program, wherein the processor is configured to invoke and run the computer program stored in the memory, to perform a wireless communication method (Figure 3 and paragraphs 0030 and 0034 disclose a second communications device 404. The controllers 280, 290 may be configured to carry out instructions which are stored on a computer readable medium, such as a non-volatile memory. The processing steps described herein may be carried out by, for example, a microprocessor in conjunction with a random-access memory, which may be non-volatile memory, operating according to instructions stored on a computer readable medium) comprising:
when a condition for releasing paging related configuration is satisfied, releasing a paging related configuration of a remote terminal (Figure 6 and 7 and paragraphs 0089 and 0090 disclose the old base station 201 may transmit a Release PC5 indication 702 to the old (first) relay UE 406, in response to receiving (at step S564) the Retrieve UE Context Request 508. The Release PC5 indication 702 indicates that the first communications device (remote UE) 204 is no longer obtaining service via the old relay UE 406. in response to receiving the Release PC5 indication 702, the old relay 406 may release the sidelink (e.g. PC5) connection at step S756. A relay device providing a relay functionality to a remote device monitors paging opportunities in accordance with a schedule of paging opportunities associated with the remote device, whereby paging messages destined for the remote device may be transmitted by the serving base station in accordance with the schedule); and
stopping monitoring a paging message for the remote terminal and/or stopping forwarding the paging message to the remote terminal (Figure 6 and 7 and paragraph 0090 discloses in response to receiving the Release PC5 indication 702, the old relay UE 406 may cease monitoring paging occasions according to the schedule associated with the remote communications device 204 in the first cell).
Regarding claim 11, as applied to claim 10 above, Wei further discloses wherein the condition for releasing paging related configuration comprises at least one of: the relay terminal has received an indication of releasing paging related configuration; or the remote terminal is in a connected state (Figure 6 and 7 and paragraph 008 disclose the old base station 201 may transmit a Release PC5 indication 702 to the old (first) relay UE 406, in response to receiving (at step S564) the Retrieve UE Context Request 508. The Release PC5 indication 702 indicates that the first communications device (remote UE) 204 is no longer obtaining service via the old relay UE 406. in response to receiving the Release PC5 indication 702, the old relay 406 may release the sidelink (e.g. PC5) connection at step S756).
Regarding claim 12, as applied to claim 11 above, Wei further discloses wherein the indication of releasing paging related configuration is from the remote device or the network device (Figure 6 and 7 and paragraph 008 disclose the old base station 201 may transmit a Release PC5 indication 702 to the old (first) relay UE 406, in response to receiving (at step S564) the Retrieve UE Context Request 508. The Release PC5 indication 702 indicates that the first communications device (remote UE) 204 is no longer obtaining service via the old relay UE 406. in response to receiving the Release PC5 indication 702, the old relay 406 may release the sidelink (e.g. PC5) connection at step S756).
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, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
The factual inquiries set forth in Graham v. John Deere Co., 383 U.S. 1, 148 USPQ 459 (1966), that are applied for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the Examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the Examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
Claims 4, 5, 13, and 14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Wei in view of Wu et al. (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2024/0057203 A1) (hereinafter Wu).
Regarding claims 4 and 13, as applied to claims 2 and 11 above, Wei discloses the claimed invention except explicitly disclosing wherein the indication of releasing paging related configuration is carried in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling.
In analogous art, Wu discloses wherein the indication of releasing paging related configuration is carried in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling (Figure 3 and paragraphs 0037, 0046, and 0050 disclose UE 301B may function as a relay such that an RRC connection can be established between UE 301A and BS 302. In operation 323, BS 302 may transmit an RRC reconfiguration message (another RRC reconfiguration message) to UE 301B. The another RRC reconfiguration message may indicate a release of a remote UE (e.g., UE 301A) which accesses BS 302 via UE 301B, the corresponding configuration associated with UE 301A (e.g., bearer mapping configuration), or both. In response to the another RRC reconfiguration message, UE 301B may release the PC5 RRC connection (e.g., including the corresponding PC5 configuration associated with UE 301A) between UE 301A and UE 301B).
It 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 to incorporate an RRC configuration message indicating a release of a remote UE, as described in Wu, with in response to receiving a Release PC5 indication, a relay releasing a sidelink (e.g. PC5) connection , as described in Wei, because doing so is combining prior art elements according to known methods to yield predictable results. Combining an RRC configuration message indicating a release of a remote UE of Wu with in response to receiving a Release PC5 indication, a relay releasing a sidelink (e.g. PC5) connection of Wei was within the ordinary ability of one of ordinary skill in the art based on the teachings of Wu.
Therefore, it 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 to combine the teachings of Wei and Wu to obtain the invention as specified in claims 4 and 13.
Regarding claims 5 and 14, as applied to claims 4 and 13 above, Wei discloses the claimed invention except explicitly disclosing wherein the indication of releasing paging related configuration is carried in a RRC reconfiguration signaling (Figure 3 and paragraphs 0037, 0046, and 0050 disclose UE 301B may function as a relay such that an RRC connection can be established between UE 301A and BS 302. In operation 323, BS 302 may transmit an RRC reconfiguration message (another RRC reconfiguration message) to UE 301B. The another RRC reconfiguration message may indicate a release of a remote UE (e.g., UE 301A) which accesses BS 302 via UE 301B, the corresponding configuration associated with UE 301A (e.g., bearer mapping configuration), or both. In response to the another RRC reconfiguration message, UE 301B may release the PC5 RRC connection (e.g., including the corresponding PC5 configuration associated with UE 301A) between UE 301A and UE 301B).
In analogous art, Wu discloses wherein the indication of releasing paging related configuration is carried in a RRC reconfiguration signaling (Figure 3 and paragraphs 0037, 0046, and 0050 disclose UE 301B may function as a relay such that an RRC connection can be established between UE 301A and BS 302. In operation 323, BS 302 may transmit an RRC reconfiguration message (another RRC reconfiguration message) to UE 301B. The another RRC reconfiguration message may indicate a release of a remote UE (e.g., UE 301A) which accesses BS 302 via UE 301B, the corresponding configuration associated with UE 301A (e.g., bearer mapping configuration), or both. In response to the another RRC reconfiguration message, UE 301B may release the PC5 RRC connection (e.g., including the corresponding PC5 configuration associated with UE 301A) between UE 301A and UE 301B).
It 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 to incorporate an RRC configuration message indicating a release of a remote UE, as described in Wu, with in response to receiving a Release PC5 indication, a relay releasing a sidelink (e.g. PC5) connection , as described in Wei, because doing so is combining prior art elements according to known methods to yield predictable results. Combining an RRC configuration message indicating a release of a remote UE of Wu with in response to receiving a Release PC5 indication, a relay releasing a sidelink (e.g. PC5) connection of Wei was within the ordinary ability of one of ordinary skill in the art based on the teachings of Wu.
Therefore, it 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 to combine the teachings of Wei and Wu to obtain the invention as specified in claims 5 and 14.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to Applicant's disclosure.
Liu et al. (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0314569 A1) discloses relay node interface related layer 2 measurements and relay node handling in network load balancing;
Tamaki et al. (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0183971 A1) discloses systems and/or methods for providing relay mobility;
Baek et al. (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2021/0315057 A1) discloses a method for discovering and selecting relay user equipment in communication system;
Agiwal et al. (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2022/0132464 A1) discloses a method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving a signal in the wireless communication system;
Li et al. (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2022/0159776 A1) discloses a communication method, SLRB establishment method, and communications apparatus;
Liu et al. (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2022/0287114 A1) discloses messaging for unmanned aerial vehicle sidelink communications;
Tseng et al. (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2022/0346180 A1) discloses methods and apparatus for partial sensing under sidelink discontinuous reception mechanisms;
Wang et al. (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2023/0093649 A1) discloses a communication method and apparatus;
Back et al. (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2024/0073989 A1) discloses a method and device for processing state transition in wireless communication system;
Freda et al. (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2024/0098815 A1) discloses determining whether an inactive relay WTRU may indeed serve a network-initiated connection at a remote served WTRU;
Chen et al. (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2024/0187963 A1) discloses dynamic user plane management;
Kang et al. (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2024/0214848 A1) discloses a method and device for managing connection mode mobility of remote terminal through relay terminal in wireless communication system; and
Wu et al. (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2024/0244509 A1) discloses a method and apparatus for system information acquisition.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the Examiner should be directed to MARK G. PANNELL whose telephone number is (303) 297-4245. The Examiner can normally be reached Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 3:00 pm (Mountain Time).
Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, Applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
If attempts to reach the Examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the Examiner’s supervisor, Rafael Perez-Gutierrez can be reached on (571) 272-7915. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is (571) 273-8300.
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/Mark G. Pannell/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2642