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 .
Priority
Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 02/01/2024, 07/23/2024 and 08/26/2025 are considered. The submission is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97.
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.
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.
Claim(s) 1, 5-6, 13, 16 and 22 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Jia et al. (US 2025/0274253; hereinafter Jia) in view of You et al. (US 2025/0274823; hereinafter You).
Regarding claim 1, Jia shows a method (Figure 5 shows an L1/L2 triggered mobility method performed in part by a UE.) performed by a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system, the method comprising:
receiving, from a base station, a message for configuring layer 1/layer 2 (L1/L2) triggered mobility (LTM) candidate information associated with a LTM candidate cell (Figure 5; Par. 0085-0088; UE receives, from a gNB-DU, an RRCReconfiguration message including candidate cell configurations relayed from gNB-CU.), wherein the LTM candidate information includes first information on an uplink (UL) synchronization procedure (Figure 5; Par. 0201-0205, 0212; activation/deactivation states of cell 1 is indicated in a candidate configuration included in RRC signaling. LTM command includes a candidate configuration index that indicates or is associated with cell 1. UE performs UL synchronization with gNB based on received activation indication included in the candidate configuration, i.e. UE activates the cell within a time T after the slot receiving the activation indication wherein the time T at least includes application delay of TA (timing advance).) and the first information includes random access configuration information for performing a random access procedure on the LTM candidate cell (Figure 5; Par. 0086-0088; noted RRC reconfiguration messages also includes an agreed lower-layer RRC configuration of a candidate cell.);
performing the UL synchronization procedure with the LTM candidate cell based on the LTM candidate information (Figure 5; Par. 0201-0205, 0212; UE performs UL synchronization with gNB based on received activation indication included in the candidate configuration, i.e. UE activates the cell within a time T after the slot receiving the activation indication wherein the time T at least includes application delay of TA (timing advance).); and
transmitting, to the base station, a report message for the L1 measurement (Figure 5; Par. 0091; UE transmits an L1 measurement result to the gNB-DU.).
Jia shows all of the elements as discussed above. Jia does not specifically show performing a L1 measurement on the LTM candidate cell.
However, the above-mentioned claim limitations are well-established in the art as evidenced by You. Specifically, You shows performing a L1 measurement on the LTM candidate cell (Par. 0049-0052; terminal performs L1 measurement and reporting on the configured candidate cells.).
In view of the above, having the system of Jia, then given the well-established teaching of You, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Jia as taught by You, in order to provide motivation for improving handover efficiency (Par. 0059 of You).
Regarding claim 5, modified Jia shows receiving, from the base station, a LTM command; and switching to a target cell based on the LTM command (Jia: Par. 0212; activation/deactivation states of cell 1 is indicated in a candidate configuration included in RRC signaling. LTM command includes a candidate configuration index that indicates or is associated with cell 1. After receiving the LTM command, a terminal equipment activates/deactivates cell 1 based on an indication of the candidate configuration.).
Regarding claim 6, modified Jia shows wherein the LTM command includes timing advance (TA) information associated with the target cell (Jia: Figure 5; Par. 0201-0205, 0212; UE performs UL synchronization with gNB based on received activation indication included in the candidate configuration, i.e. UE activates the cell within a time T after the slot receiving the activation indication wherein the time T at least includes application delay of TA (timing advance).).
Regarding claim 13, Jia shows a user equipment (UE) (Figure 13 shows a UE performing in part the method of L1/L2 triggered mobility of Figure 5.) in a wireless communication system, the UE comprising:
a transceiver (Figure 13; communication module.); and
a controller coupled with the transceiver (Figure 13; processor coupled to the communication module.), and configured to:
receive, from a base station via the transceiver, a message for configuring layer 1/layer 2 (L1/L2) triggered mobility (LTM) candidate information associated with a LTM candidate cell (Figure 5; Par. 0085-0088; UE receives, from a gNB-DU, an RRCReconfiguration message including candidate cell configurations relayed from gNB-CU.), wherein the LTM candidate information includes first information on a uplink (UL) synchronization procedure (Figure 5; Par. 0201-0205, 0212; activation/deactivation states of cell 1 is indicated in a candidate configuration included in RRC signaling. LTM command includes a candidate configuration index that indicates or is associated with cell 1. UE performs UL synchronization with gNB based on received activation indication included in the candidate configuration, i.e. UE activates the cell within a time T after the slot receiving the activation indication wherein the time T at least includes application delay of TA (timing advance).) and the first information includes random access configuration information for performing a random access procedure on the LTM candidate cell (Figure 5; Par. 0086-0088; noted RRC reconfiguration messages also includes an agreed lower-layer RRC configuration of a candidate cell.),
perform the UL synchronization procedure with the LTM candidate cell based on the LTM candidate information (Figure 5; Par. 0201-0205, 0212; UE performs UL synchronization with gNB based on received activation indication included in the candidate configuration, i.e. UE activates the cell within a time T after the slot receiving the activation indication wherein the time T at least includes application delay of TA (timing advance).), and
transmit, to the base station, a report message for the L1 measurement (Figure 5; Par. 0091; UE transmits an L1 measurement result to the gNB-DU.).
Jia shows all of the elements as discussed above. Jia does not specifically show performing a L1 measurement on the LTM candidate cell.
However, the above-mentioned claim limitations are well-established in the art as evidenced by You. Specifically, You shows performing a L1 measurement on the LTM candidate cell (Par. 0049-0052; terminal performs L1 measurement and reporting on the configured candidate cells.).
In view of the above, having the system of Jia, then given the well-established teaching of You, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Jia as taught by You, in order to provide motivation for improving handover efficiency (Par. 0059 of You).
Regarding claim 16 and 22, these claims are rejected based on the same reasoning as presented in the rejection of claims 5 and 6, respectively.
Claim(s) 2-3 and 14-15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Jia in view of You and Dong et al. (US 2025/0048197; hereinafter Dong).
Regarding claim 2, modified Jia shows wherein the LTM candidate information further includes second information on a LTM candidate identifier (ID) (You: Par. 0066; in a case where the first indication information carries at least one of the identifier of the target cell or the identifier of the candidate cell, the first cell may include the cell corresponding to at least one of the identifier of the target cell or the identifier of the candidate cell carried in the first indication information, or the first cell may include the cell corresponding to at least one of the identifier of the target cell or the identifier of the candidate cell carried in the first indication information, and an existing candidate cell of the terminal device.).
Modified Jia shows all of the elements as discussed above. Modified Jia does not specifically show a third information on a physical cell identity (PCI).
However, the above-mentioned claim limitations are well-established in the art as evidenced by Dong. Specifically, Dong shows a third information on a physical cell identity (PCI) (Par. 0144-0146; The fast serving cell change may be triggered by the source serving cell based on L1/L2 signaling/messaging, i.e. L1 triggering DCI. The L1 triggering DCI message may include at least a Physical Cell Id (PCI) to indicate the target serving cell the UE shall transfer to.).
In view of the above, having the system of Jia, then given the well-established teaching of Dong, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Jia as taught by Dong, in order to provide motivation for helping reduce switching latency and signaling overhead (Par. 0065 of Dong).
Regarding claim 3, modified Jia shows shows all of the elements except wherein the first information on the UL synchronization procedure further includes information of an UL resource for a random access preamble transmission on the LTM candidate cell.
However, the above-mentioned claim limitations are well-established in the art as evidenced by Dong. Specifically, Dong shows wherein the first information on the UL synchronization procedure further includes information of an UL resource for a random access preamble transmission on the LTM candidate cell (Par. 0151; the L1 triggering DCI message may also include a Preamble index to indicate a preamble index for the UE to perform RACH on the indicated target serving cell.).
In view of the above, having the system of Jia, then given the well-established teaching of Dong, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Jia as taught by Dong, in order to provide motivation for helping reduce switching latency and signaling overhead (Par. 0065 of Dong).
Regarding claims 14 and 15, these claims are rejected based on the same reasoning as presented in the rejection of claims 2 and 3, respectively.
Claim(s) 7, 9, 11-12, 17 and 19-21 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Jia in view of Dong.
Regarding claim 7, Jia shows a method (Figure 5 shows an L1/L2 triggered mobility method performed in part by a gNB.) performed by a base station in a wireless communication system, the method comprising:
transmitting, to a user equipment (UE), a message for configuring layer 1/layer 2 (L1/L2) triggered mobility (LTM) candidate information associated with a LTM candidate cell (Figure 5; Par. 0085-0088; gNB transmits, to a UE, an RRCReconfiguration message including candidate cell configurations relayed from gNB-CU.), wherein the LTM candidate information includes first information on an uplink (UL) synchronization procedure (Figure 5; Par. 0201-0205, 0212; activation/deactivation states of cell 1 is indicated in a candidate configuration included in RRC signaling. LTM command includes a candidate configuration index that indicates or is associated with cell 1. UE performs UL synchronization with gNB based on received activation indication included in the candidate configuration, i.e. UE activates the cell within a time T after the slot receiving the activation indication wherein the time T at least includes application delay of TA (timing advance).) and the first information includes random access configuration information for performing a random access procedure on the LTM candidate cell (Figure 5; Par. 0086-0088; noted RRC reconfiguration messages also includes an agreed lower-layer RRC configuration of a candidate cell.); and
receiving, from the UE, a report message for a L1 measurement (Figure 5; Par. 0091; gNB receives, from the UE, an L1 measurement result.).
Jia shows all of the elements as discussed above. Jia does not specifically show receiving, from the UE, a random access preamble based on the LTM candidate information.
However, the above-mentioned claim limitations are well-established in the art as evidenced by Dong. Specifically, Dong shows receiving, from the UE, a random access preamble based on the LTM candidate information (Par. 0144, 0151; a Preamble index is provided to the UE to indicate a preamble index for the UE to perform RACH on the indicated target serving cell. When performing RACH, the target serving cell/base station receives a random access preamble based on the received preamble index.).
In view of the above, having the system of Jia, then given the well-established teaching of Dong, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Jia as taught by Dong, in order to provide motivation for helping reduce switching latency and signaling overhead (Par. 0065 of Dong).
Regarding claim 9, modified Jia shows wherein the first information on the further includes information of an UL resource for a random access preamble transmission of the UE on the LTM candidate cell (Dong: Par. 0151; the L1 triggering DCI message may also include a Preamble index to indicate a preamble index for the UE to perform RACH on the indicated target serving cell.).
Regarding claim 11, modified Jia shows transmitting, to the UE, a LTM command, wherein the LTM command is for configuring the UE to perform a LTM cell switch procedure (Jia: Par. 0212; activation/deactivation states of cell 1 is indicated in a candidate configuration included in RRC signaling. LTM command includes a candidate configuration index that indicates or is associated with cell 1. After receiving the LTM command, a terminal equipment activates/deactivates cell 1 based on an indication of the candidate configuration.).
Regarding claim 12, modified Jia shows wherein the LTM command includes timing advance (TA) information associated with a target cell (Jia: Figure 5; Par. 0201-0205, 0212; UE performs UL synchronization with gNB based on received activation indication included in the candidate configuration, i.e. UE activates the cell within a time T after the slot receiving the activation indication wherein the time T at least includes application delay of TA (timing advance).).
Regarding claim 17, Jia shows a base station (Figure 14 shows a BS performing in part the method of L1/L2 triggered mobility of Figure 5.) in a wireless communication system, the base station comprising:
a transceiver (Figure 14; transceiver.); and
a controller coupled with the transceiver (Figure 14; processor coupled to the transceiver.), and configured to:
transmit, to a user equipment (UE), a message for configuring layer 1/layer 2 (L1/L2) triggered mobility (LTM) candidate information associated with a LTM candidate cell (Figure 5; Par. 0085-0088; gNB transmits, to a UE, an RRCReconfiguration message including candidate cell configurations relayed from gNB-CU.), wherein the LTM candidate information includes first information on an uplink (UL) synchronization procedure (Figure 5; Par. 0201-0205, 0212; activation/deactivation states of cell 1 is indicated in a candidate configuration included in RRC signaling. LTM command includes a candidate configuration index that indicates or is associated with cell 1. UE performs UL synchronization with gNB based on received activation indication included in the candidate configuration, i.e. UE activates the cell within a time T after the slot receiving the activation indication wherein the time T at least includes application delay of TA (timing advance).) and the first information includes random access configuration information for a random access procedure on the LTM candidate cell (Figure 5; Par. 0086-0088; noted RRC reconfiguration messages also includes an agreed lower-layer RRC configuration of a candidate cell.), and
receive, from the UE, a report message for a L1 measurement (Figure 5; Par. 0091; gNB receives, from the UE, an L1 measurement result.).
Jia shows all of the elements as discussed above. Jia does not specifically show receiving, from the UE, a random access preamble based on the LTM candidate information.
However, the above-mentioned claim limitations are well-established in the art as evidenced by Dong. Specifically, Dong shows receiving, from the UE, a random access preamble based on the LTM candidate information (Par. 0144, 0151; a Preamble index is provided to the UE to indicate a preamble index for the UE to perform RACH on the indicated target serving cell. When performing RACH, the target serving cell/base station receives a random access preamble based on the received preamble index.).
In view of the above, having the system of Jia, then given the well-established teaching of Dong, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Jia as taught by Dong, in order to provide motivation for helping reduce switching latency and signaling overhead (Par. 0065 of Dong).
Regarding claims 19, 20 and 21, these claims are rejected based on the same reasoning as presented in the rejection of claims 9, 11 and 12, respectively.
Claim(s) 8 and 18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Jia in view of Dong and You.
Regarding claim 8, modified Jia shows wherein the LTM candidate information further includes a third information on a physical cell identity (PCI) (Dong: Par. 0144-0146; The fast serving cell change may be triggered by the source serving cell based on L1/L2 signaling/messaging, i.e. L1 triggering DCI. The L1 triggering DCI message may include at least a Physical Cell Id (PCI) to indicate the target serving cell the UE shall transfer to.).
Modified Jia does not specifically show a second information on a LTM candidate identifier (ID).
However, the above-mentioned claim limitations are well-established in the art as evidenced by You. Specifically, You shows a second information on a LTM candidate identifier (ID) (Par. 0066; in a case where the first indication information carries at least one of the identifier of the target cell or the identifier of the candidate cell, the first cell may include the cell corresponding to at least one of the identifier of the target cell or the identifier of the candidate cell carried in the first indication information, or the first cell may include the cell corresponding to at least one of the identifier of the target cell or the identifier of the candidate cell carried in the first indication information, and an existing candidate cell of the terminal device.).
In view of the above, having the system of Jia, then given the well-established teaching of You, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Jia as taught by You, in order to provide motivation for improving handover efficiency (Par. 0059 of You).
Regarding claim 18, this claim is rejected based on the same reasoning as presented in the rejection of claim 8.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
US 20260032538 A1 - A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) may perform L1/L2 switching of primary cells.
US 20250310817 A1 - relate to the technical field of mobile communications, in particular to, a method and apparatus for measurement result reporting, a device and a storage medium.
US 20240406811 A1 - In wireless communication, a device may change, add, or handover between cells of network access for inter-cell mobility. This may include Layer 1 and/or Layer 2 (L1/L2) signaling for a user equipment (UE) moving between cells in a network.
US 20240163750 A1 - In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may receive configuration information indicating, for each of multiple candidate target primary secondary cells (PSCells), a lower layer triggered PSCell addition or change configuration.
US 20240155456 A1 - relates generally to communication systems, and more particularly, to the determination of layer 2 (L2) reset in lower layer mobility for wireless communication.
US 20240155449 A1 - relate to wireless communication and to techniques and apparatuses for candidate cell configuration processing for lower layer triggered mobility.
US 20240098593 A1 - generally relate to wireless communication and to techniques and apparatuses for capability signaling for Layer 1 or Layer 2 mobility.
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/REDENTOR PASIA/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2413