Detail Action
This office action is a response to an amendment submitted on 04/27/2026.
Claims 1, 3-13 and 15- 19 are pending for examination.
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 .
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) was filed. The submission is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
Drawings
The Examiner contends that the drawings submitted on 01/11/2024 are acceptable for examination proceedings.
Response to Amendment
Claims 1, 10 and 15 have been amended.
Claims 2, 14 and 20- 22 have been cancelled.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed on 04/27/2026 with respect to claim(s) have been considered but they are not persuasive.
After further search update and review of previous office action in view of prior arts, the examiner recognizes that obviousness may be established by combining or modifying the teachings of the prior art to produce the claimed invention where there is some teaching, suggestion, or motivation to do so found either in the references themselves or in the knowledge generally available to one of ordinary skill in the art. See In re Fine, 837 F.2d 1071, 5 USPQ2d 1596 (Fed. Cir. 1988), In re Jones, 958 F.2d 347, 21 USPQ2d 1941 (Fed. Cir. 1992), and KSR International Co. v. Teleflex, Inc., 550 U.S. 398, 82 USPQ2d 1385 (2007).
In this case, the combined Prior Arts teach receiving, by the first UE, the first configuration comprising SL-PRS time information and a number of configured frequency resources allocated for SL-PRS transmission [Xueming: Section 4.1 teaches of resource allocation for SL-PRS where SL-PRS can be transmitted with SCI in the resource pool or slot], wherein the number of configured frequency resources are allocated for a dedicated resource pool for SL-PRS transmission[Xueming: Section 4. 4 teaches SL-PRS resource allocation scheme where resource are selected for SL-PRS; section 3 for resource pool], wherein each selected SL-PRS resource candidate occupies a full bandwidth of the dedicated resource pool in a frequency domain [Xueming: Section 4.1 teaches SL-PRS occupy the whole bandwidth of the resource pool and are multiplexed in the frequency domain]. In addition to that Prior Art Yan’s Section 4 and 5 further disclosed the slot structure and resource pool for SL-PRs and how resource candidate can be full bandwidth of the resource pool [Yan: section 4.2].
Therefore, applicant’s arguments are not persuasive.
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.
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(a) are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or non-obviousness.
Claims 1, 3-13 and 15- 19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Xueming et al. ”Discussion on potential solutions for sidelink positioning”, Nov 2022, hereinafter “Xueming”; and in further view of Yan et al. “Remaining issues for SL positioning solutions, Nov 2022”, hereinafter “Yan”.
Regarding claim 1, Xueming teaches A method of resource allocation, the method comprising [Xueming: Section 3 teaches SL-PRS resources configuration] :
performing, by a first user equipment (UE), based on a first configuration, a sensing-based resource selection procedure to obtain a set of candidate single-slot sidelink (SL) positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) resources to be used for transmission [Xueming: Section 4. 4 teaches SL-PRS resource allocation scheme where resource are selected for SL-PRS], wherein a candidate single-slot SL-PRS resource is uniquely identified by a SL-PRS resource index within a set of SL-PRS resource ID(s) provided by a higher layer and a slot index [Xueming: Fig. 7; Section 4.4 further teaches of identifying of SL-PRS resources and periodic resource reservation for SL-PRS; Pg. 14 teaches candidate section are done by higher layer];passing the set of candidates single-slot SL-PRS resources to the higher layer for selection [Xueming: Section 4.4 further teaches determination of resource that can be use in SL-PRS and transmitting to UE];transmitting, by the first UE, a SL-PRS signal using selected single-slot SL-PRS resources [Xueming: Fig. 5; Section 4.1 teaches analyzing and transmitting of SL-PRS in the resource pool]; and
transmitting, by the first UE, in a same slot including the SL-PRS signal, a PSCCH signal carrying a sidelink control information (SCI) [Xueming: Fig. 6; Section 4.1 teaches of transmitting SL-PRS on slot based];
receiving, by the first UE, the first configuration comprising SL-PRS time information and a number of configured frequency resources allocated for SL-PRS transmission [Xueming: Section 4.1 teaches of resource allocation for SL-PRS where SL-PRS can be transmitted with SCI in the resource pool or slot], wherein the number of configured frequency resources are allocated for a dedicated resource pool for SL-PRS transmission[Xueming: Section 4. 4 teaches SL-PRS resource allocation scheme where resource are selected for SL-PRS; section 3 for resource pool],
wherein each selected SL-PRS resource candidate occupies a full bandwidth of the dedicated resource pool in a frequency domain [Xueming: Section 4.1 teaches SL-PRS occupy the whole bandwidth of the resource pool and are multiplexed in the frequency domain]
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However, Xueming does not teach receiving an indication of selected single-slot SL-PRS resources from the higher layer.
Nevertheless, Yan, in the similar filed of endeavor, teaches receiving an indication of selected single-slot SL-PRS resources from the higher layer; [Yan: Section 6.1, 6.2.2 teaches of resource selection of SL-PRS can be done at higher layer].
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Thus it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill at the time the invention was made to utilize the teachings of Yan for receiving SL-PRS from higher layer. One of ordinary skill in the art would be motivated to utilize the teachings of Yan in the Xueming system in order to be able to received SL-PRS resource allocation signaling from network [Yan: Section 6.1].
Regarding claim 3, the combined Xueming in view of Yan teaches all the limitations in the parent claim 1. Xueming in view of Yan further teaches wherein more than one UE transmits in the same slot in a time-division multiplexing (TDM) manner with different SL-PRS resource IDs [Xueming: Section 4.1 further teaches SL-PRS are multiplexed in TDM manner.]
Regarding claim 4, the combined Xueming in view of Yan teaches all the limitations in the parent claim 1. Xueming in view of Yan further teaches wherein the SCI comprises a resource ID indication for the SL-PRS signal [Yan: Section 3.4 teaches SCI comprise different types of ID for SL-PRS].
Regarding claim 5, the combined Xueming in view of Yan teaches all the limitations in the parent claim 1. Xueming in view of Yan further teaches wherein the performing the sensing is based on a reference signal received power (RSRP) threshold, wherein an RSRP is measured on the set of candidate single-slot SL-PRS resources [Xueming: Section 4.4]
Regarding claim 6, the combined Xueming in view of Yan teaches all the limitations in the parent claim 1. Xueming in view of Yan further teaches wherein the SL-PRS signal is associated with an L1 transmission priority [Xueming: Section 3.2; proposal 6 teaches SL-PRS has priority].
Regarding claim 7, the combined Xueming in view of Yan teaches all the limitations in the parent claim 6. Xueming in view of Yan further teaches wherein a value of L1 transmission priority is included in SCI carried by a physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH) associated with the SL-PRS signal [Xueming: See section 3.2, 3.3]
Regarding claim 8, the combined Xueming in view of Yan teaches all the limitations in the parent claim 5. Xueming in view of Yan further teaches wherein the RSRP threshold is associated with a first transmission priority in a received SCI and associated with a second transmission priority of selected SL-PRS resources [Xueming: Section 4.4; proposal 16].
Regarding claim 9, the combined Xueming in view of Yan teaches all the limitations in the parent claim 1. Xueming in view of Yan further teaches wherein the SL-PRS signal is associated with a remaining packet delay budget [Xueming: section 2.2 teaches of delay estimating].
Regarding claim 10, Xueming teaches A first user equipment (UE) configured to perform resource allocation, the first UE comprising:
a non-transitory memory storing instructions; and
a processor configured to execute the instructions to perform operations comprising [Xueming: Section 3 teaches SL-PRS resources configuration] :
performing, based on a first configuration, a sensing-based resource selection procedure and obtaining a set of candidate single-slot sidelink (SL) positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) resources to be used for transmission [Xueming: Section 4. 4 teaches SL-PRS resource allocation scheme where resource are selected for SL-PRS], wherein a candidate single-slot SL-PRS resource is uniquely identified by a SL-PRS resource index within a set of SL-PRS resource ID(s) provided by a higher layer and a slot index [Xueming: Fig. 7; Section 4.4 further teaches of identifying of SL-PRS resources and periodic resource reservation for SL-PRS];
passing the set of candidates single-slot SL-PRS resources to the higher layer for selection [Xueming: Section 4.4 further teaches determination of resource that can be use in SL-PRS and transmitting to UE];
transmitting, by the first UE, an SL-PRS signal using selected single-slot SL-PRS resources [Xueming: Fig. 5; Section 4.1 teaches analyzing and transmitting of SL-PRS in the resource pool]; and
transmitting, by the first UE, in a same slot including the SL-PRS signal, a PSCCH signal carrying a sidelink control information (SCI) [Xueming: Fig. 6; Section 4.1 teaches of transmitting SL-PRS on slot based];
the first configuration comprises a set of sidelink (SL) positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) time information and a number of configured frequency resources allocated for the transmission of both a data signal and a SL-PRS signal, and wherein the number of configured frequency resources are allocated for a shared resource pool[Xueming: Section 4.1 teaches SL-PRS occupy the whole bandwidth of the resource pool and are multiplexed in the frequency domain]
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However, Xueming does not teach receiving an indication of selected single-slot SL-PRS resources from the higher layer.
Nevertheless, Yan, in the similar filed of endeavor, teaches receiving an indication of selected single-slot SL-PRS resources from the higher layer; [Yan: Section 6.1, 6.2.2 teaches of resource selection of SL-PRS can be done at higher layer].
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Thus it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill at the time the invention was made to utilize the teachings of Yan for receiving SL-PRS from higher layer. One of ordinary skill in the art would be motivated to utilize the teachings of Yan in the Xueming system in order to be able to received SL-PRS resource allocation signaling from network [Yan: Section 6.1].
Regarding claim 11, the combined Xueming in view of Yan teaches all the limitations in the parent claim 10. Xueming in view of Yan further teaches wherein the first UE decodes both a first stage SCI and a second stage SCI to find the resource allocation for both the data signal and the SL-PRS signal when performing the sensing-based resource selection procedure [Xueming: Section: 4.1;4.2]
Regarding claim 12, the combined Xueming in view of Yan teaches all the limitations in the parent claim 10. Xueming in view of Yan further teaches herein the first UE considers possible periods for data and a candidate SL-PRS signal when performing the sensing-based resource selection procedure to avoid collisions between the SL-PRS signal and a second SL-PRS signal of a neighboring UE [Xueming: Proposal 12 teaches of using SL-PRS to avoid SL-PRS collision].
Regarding claim 13, the claim is interpreted and rejected for the same reason as set forth for claim 4.
Regarding claim 15, the combined Xueming in view of Yan teaches all the limitations in the parent claim 10. Xueming in view of Yan further teaches wherein the candidate single-slot SL-PRS resource is further identified by a subchannel index in a frequency domain [Xueming: Section 4.1 teaches SL-PRS occupy the whole bandwidth of the resource pool and are multiplexed in the frequency domain]
Regarding claim 16, the claim is interpreted and rejected for the same reason as set forth for claim 6.
Regarding claim 17, the claim is interpreted and rejected for the same reason as set forth for claim 6.
Regarding claim 18, the claim is interpreted and rejected for the same reason as set forth for claim 9.
Regarding claim 19, the combined Xueming in view of Yan teaches all the limitations in the parent claim 10. Xueming in view of Yan further teaches wherein the SL-PRS signal is associated with a number of sub-channels to be used in the slot [Yan: Fig. 3].
Conclusion
The prior art made of record (see attached PTO-892) and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to KYAW Z SOE whose telephone number is (571)270-0304. The examiner can normally be reached 9am-5pm.
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/KYAW Z SOE/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2412
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