The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
DETAILED ACTION
In the amendment filed April 15, 2026, claims 37, 38, 41, 44, 67, 69, 71 and 73 has been amended, claims 38, 40, 68 and 70 cancelled, and claims 37, 39, 41-49, 67, 69 and 71-73 are currently pending for examination.
Response to Arguments
Regarding claim objections applicant’s arguments, see page 6 paragraph 2, filed April 15, 2026, with respect to claim 71 has been fully considered and are persuasive. The claim objections of claim 71 has been withdrawn.
Regarding 35 U.S.C. 112 applicant’s arguments, see page 6 paragraph 3, filed April 15, 2026, with respect to claims 37, 39, 41-49, 67, 69 and 71-73 have been fully considered and are persuasive. Therefore, the 112 rejection has been withdrawn.
Regarding 35 U.S.C. 103 applicant’s arguments, see page 9 paragraphs 3 - page 11 paragraphs 1 filed April 15, 2026, with respect to claims 37, 39, 41-49, 67, 69 and 71-73 have been fully considered and are not persuasive.
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) 37, 67 and 73 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument.
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Hence a new ground of rejection is further made in view of in view of Agiwal (US Pub. No.:2023/0209504).
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 37, 39, 41-42 and 45-49 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Huawei (Early DL data transmission, R2-1813914, 10-12-2018), in view of ZTE (MT-SDT procedure, R2-2211532, 00-18-2022) and further in view of Agiwal (US Pub. No.:2023/0209504).
As per claim 37, Huawei disclose A method (see Fig.2, Fig.4-Fig.7, UE in RRC_Idle an RRC_INACTIVE state)comprising:
receiving, in an RRC_INACTIVE state (see section 2.2.1, 2.2.4.2, UE receiving in RRC_Idle an RRC_INACTIVE state), a paging message from a base station of a wireless network (see section 2,2,4,2, Fig.3, Fig.8, step 3, UE receiving a paging message from eNB/ a base station), the paging messaging comprising a Mobile Terminated Small Data Transmission (MT-SDT) indication (see section 2.2 DL-EDT solutions; 2.2.2.1 DL data / MT-SDT with MSG2 for the CP solution); and
transmitting, in the RRC_INACTIVE state, an uplink (UL) response message to initiate the MT-SDT, based on a determination that the one or more conditions are satisfied (see Fig.3. Step 8, UE transmitting UL ACK based on a determination that the one or more conditions are satisfied).
Although Huawei disclose receiving, in an RRC_INACTIVE state, a paging message from a base station of a wireless network;
Huawei however does not explicitly disclose determining whether one or more conditions for exchanging data with the base station using MT-SDT are satisfied, wherein the one or more conditions comprises a first condition pertaining to a comparison between a radio quality of wireless signals received from the base station and a threshold value, and wherein the threshold value is common to both MT-SDT and Mobile Originated Small Data Transmission (MO-SDT);
ZTE however disclose determining whether one or more conditions for exchanging data with the base station using MT-SDT are satisfied (see Section 2, a base station trigger MT-SDT in a paging message, and section 3, upon receiving MT-SDT trigger in the paging record, the UE performs further checks to
see if radio conditions are suitable for SDT to be initiated, the UE checks/determining SDT RSRP threshold or SSB level RSRP threshold), wherein the one or more conditions comprises a first condition pertaining to a comparison between a radio quality of wireless signals received from the base station and a threshold value (see section 3, section 5, a radio quality of wireless signals received from the base station is checked by the UE, Proposal 4: Upon receiving MT-SDT trigger, the UE shall perform the following checks before SDT procedure is initiated (all these same as Rel-17), see section 3, section 5, RSRP {a radio quality of wireless signals received} of the wireless signals is greater { comparison between radio quality/RSRP} than a threshold value, 4b: Check for SDT RSRP threshold; and
transmitting, in a RRC_INACTIVE state, an uplink (UL) response message to initiate the MT-SDT, based on a determination that the one or more conditions are satisfied (see Fig.2, sections 2 and 4, UE transmitting a paging response in a RRC_INACTIVE state to initiate the MT-SDT based on the threshold condition check).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the functionality of determining whether one or more conditions for exchanging data with the base station using MT-SDT are satisfied, wherein the one or more conditions comprises a first condition pertaining to a comparison between a radio quality of wireless signals received from the base station and a threshold value, as taught by ZTE, in the system of Huawei, so that upon receiving MT-SDT trigger in the paging record, the UE performs further checks to
see if radio conditions are suitable for SDT to be initiated, see ZTE section 5, proposal 3 and Proposal 4.
The combination of Huawei and ZTE however does not explicitly disclose wherein the threshold value is common to both MT-SDT and Mobile Originated Small Data Transmission.
Agiwal however disclose wherein a threshold value is common to both MT-SDT and Mobile Originated Small Data Transmission (see para. 0428-0432, when sdt-RSRP-Threshold is not configured for MT-SDT, UE applies the sdt-RSRP-Threshold configured for MO-SDT, a threshold value is common to both MT-SDT and MO-SDT).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the functionality of wherein a threshold value is common to both MT-SDT and Mobile Originated Small Data Transmission, as taught by Agiwal, in the system of Huawei and ZTE, so as to reduce signaling overhead and UE power consumption by not transitioning to radio resource control (RRC)_CONNECTED and reducing latency by allowing fast transmission of (small and infrequent) packets, see Agiwal paragraphs 13-15.
As per claim 39, the combination of Huawei, ZTE and Agiwal disclose the method of claim 38.
ZTE further disclose wherein the first condition is satisfied when a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) of the wireless signals is greater than the threshold value (see section 3, section 5, RSRP of the wireless signals is greater than a threshold value, 4b: Check for SDT RSRP threshold).
As per claim 41, the combination of Huawei, ZTE and Agiwal disclose the method of claim 37.
ZTE further disclose wherein the one or more conditions comprise a second condition pertaining to a selection of a resource for transmitting the UL response message to the base station (see section 3, listing various threshold/condition, section 5, Proposal 4: Upon receiving MT-SDT trigger, the UE shall perform the following checks before SDT procedure is initiated (all these same as Rel-17), -4d: Check for SSB level RSRP threshold for CG resource, see also section 4).
As per claim 42, the combination of Huawei, ZTE and Agiwal disclose the method of claim 41.
ZTE further disclose wherein the second condition comprises selecting the resource from among: a legacy Random Access Channel (RACH) resource, a RACH resource specific to Small Data Transmission (SDT), and a Configured Grant (CG) resource specific to SDT (see section 3, listing various threshold/condition, at least on SSB above RSRP threshold exists with CG resource, sections 4 and 5, the SDT cause is known to the network either by the RACH resource or by CG resource used by the UE. Since the network anyway knows the UE has been paged for mt-SDT, there is no need for a separate mt-SDT resume cause either).
As per claim 45, the combination of Huawei, ZTE and Agiwal disclose the method of claim 37.
ZTE further disclose wherein the UL response message is transmitted using one or more resources selected based on a configuration received from the base station (see section 2, Proposal 2: the network triggers MT-SDT only if the UE is configured for SDT and if the DL data is mapped to SDT RB(s) / a configuration received from the base station and section 5, Proposal 5: No new resume cause is needed for MT-SDT (i.e., the UE reuses mt-Access as the resume cause)).
As per claim 46, the combination of Huawei, ZTE and Agiwal disclose the method of claim 45.
ZTE further disclose wherein the configuration received from the base station is a RRC specific configuration (see section 3, at RRC level UE performs general checks to see if UE is configured for SDT and if cell supports SDT etc. These checks can be kept as it is but they anyway will pass since the network will only trigger MT-SDT).
As per claim 47, the combination of Huawei, ZTE and Agiwal disclose the method of claim 45.
ZTE further disclose wherein the configuration received from the base station is a System Information Block (SIB) broadcast configuration (see section 3, a System Information Block (SIB)/SSB broadcast configuration received from the network node).
As per claim 48, the combination of Huawei, ZTE and Agiwal disclose the method of claim 37.
ZTE further disclose wherein the method is performed by a user equipment (UE) (see Fig.1, UE).
As per claim 49, the combination of Huawei, ZTE and Agiwal disclose the method of claim 37.
ZTE further disclose wherein the method is performed by at least one baseband processor (see Fig.1, gNB with a baseband processor triggering MT-SDT).
Claims 43 and 44 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Huawei (Early DL data transmission, R2-1813914, 10-12-2018), in view of ZTE (MT-SDT procedure, R2-2211532, 00-18-2022), in view of Agiwal (US Pub. No.:2023/0209504) and further in view of Lenovo (Discussion on the MT-SDT procedure, R2-2212120, 11-18-2022).
As per claim 43, the combination of Huawei, ZTE and Agiwal disclose the method of claim 42.
ZTE further disclose wherein the legacy RACH resource is selected (see sections 4 and 5, the SDT cause is known to the network either by the RACH resource or by CG resource used by the UE. Since the network anyway knows the UE has been paged for mt-SDT, one or more RACH resources specific to SDT).
The combination of Huawei, ZTE and Agiwal however does not explicitly disclose wherein the legacy RACH resource is different from one or more RACH resources specific to SDT;
Lenovo however disclose wherein legacy RACH resource is selected and wherein the legacy RACH resource is different from one or more RACH resources specific to SDT (see section 2, the legacy SDT resource selection procedure as defined for Rel-17, UE would determine based on a data volume threshold and some RSRP thresholds whether to select the CG-SDT procedure or RACH-SDT procedure or even select the legacy RRCResume procedure (transit to RRC CONNECTED and
performing data transmission in CONNECTED state)).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the functionality of wherein legacy RACH resource is selected and wherein the legacy RACH resource is different from one or more RACH resources specific to SDT, as taught by Lenovo, in the system of Huawei, ZTE and Agiwal, so that : UL SDT (MO-SDT) procedure is initiated to respond to the paging for SDT, see Lenovo section 2, proposal 2.
As per claim 44, the combination of Huawei, ZTE and Agiwal disclose the method of claim 37.
The combination of Huawei, ZTE and Agiwal however does not explicitly disclose determining that the first condition is not satisfied, and responsive to determining that the first conditions is not satisfied, initiating an RRC Resume procedure.
Lenovo however disclose determining that the first condition is not satisfied, and responsive to determining that the first conditions is not satisfied, initiating an RRC Resume procedure (Proposal 2: UL SDT (MO-SDT) procedure should be initiated to respond to the paging for SDT. Following the legacy SDT resource selection procedure as defined for Rel-17, UE would determine based on a data volume threshold and some RSRP thresholds whether to select the CG-SDT procedure or RACH-SDT procedure or even select the legacy RRC Resume procedure (transit to RRC CONNECTED and
performing data transmission in CONNECTED state)).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the functionality of determining that the first condition is not satisfied, and responsive to determining that the first conditions is not satisfied, initiating an RRC Resume procedure, as taught by Lenovo, in the system of Huawei, ZTE and Agiwal, so that : UL SDT (MO-SDT) procedure is initiated to respond to the paging for SDT, see Lenovo section 2, proposal 2.
Claim(s) 67, 69 and 73 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Koskinen et al. (PCT/CN2022/133030 further published as US Pub. No.: 2025/0106930) and in view of in view of Agiwal (US Pub. No.:2023/0209504).
As per claim 67, Koskinen disclose A non-transitory computer storage medium encoded with instructions (see Fig.5, Fig.6, para. 0145-0147, a computer program 530 includes computer executable instructions that are executed by the associated processor 510) that, when executed by one or more processors (see Fig.2, Fig.4, Fig. 5, a network device 120 with processor 510, see para. 0145-0147, the program 530 is stored in the ROM 524, and the processor 510 perform any suitable actions and processing by loading the program 530 into the RAM 522), cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising:
transmitting, to the UE in an RRC-INACTIVE state, a paging message comprising a Mobile Terminated Small Data Transmission (MT-SDT) indication (see Fig.2, para. 0064, the network device 120 transmits (205), to the terminal device 110, an indication message indicating the terminal device 110 to initiate an MT-SDT, the terminal device 110 receives (210), from the network device 120, the indication message the indication message comprise a paging message indicating the terminal device 110 to trigger or initiate an MT-SDT procedure, see also Fig.4, step 410, para. 0108, 0113); and
receiving, from the UE in the RRC-INACTIVE state, an uplink (UL) response message initiating the MT-SDT (see para. 0065, the terminal device 110 determine whether to initiate the MT-SDT, the terminal device 110 determine whether the MT-SDT is to be initiated based on a predetermined condition for the MT-SDT, the condition for the MT-SDT is associated with one or more of an RSRP threshold), based on one or more conditions for exchanging data with the UE using the MT-SDT being satisfied (see Fig.2, para. 0064-0066, 0079, when the predetermined condition for the MT-SDT is fulfilled, the terminal device 110 initiate/initiating the MT-SDT, by transmitting, in the RRC_INACTIVE state, an uplink (UL) response message to initiate the MT-SDT, see also Fig.4, step 420, para. 0108-0109, see also para. 0086),
wherein the one or more conditions comprises a first condition pertaining to a comparison between a radio quality of wireless signals received from the base station and a threshold value (see para. 0065, the condition for the MT-SDT is associated with one or more of an RSRP threshold, when the RSRP (a radio quality) is greater (comparison) than the RSRP threshold, it is suitable to perform the MT-SDT).
Koskinen however does not explicitly disclose wherein the threshold value is common to both MT-SDT and Mobile Originated Small Data Transmission (MO-SDT).
Agiwal however disclose wherein a threshold value is common to both MT-SDT and Mobile Originated Small Data Transmission (see para. 0428-0432, when sdt-RSRP-Threshold is not configured for MT-SDT, UE applies the sdt-RSRP-Threshold configured for MO-SDT, a threshold value is common to both MT-SDT and MO-SDT).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the functionality of wherein a threshold value is common to both MT-SDT and Mobile Originated Small Data Transmission, as taught by Agiwal, in the system of Koskinen, so as to reduce signaling overhead and UE power consumption by not transitioning to radio resource control (RRC)_CONNECTED and reducing latency by allowing fast transmission of (small and infrequent) packets, see Agiwal paragraphs 13-15.
As per claim 69, the combination of Koskinen and Agiwal disclose the non-transitory computer storage medium of claim 68.
Koskinen further disclose wherein the first condition is satisfied when a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) of the wireless signals is greater than the threshold value (see para. 0065, the condition for the MT-SDT is associated with one or more of an RSRP threshold, when the RSRP is greater than the RSRP threshold, it is suitable to perform the MT-SDT and the terminal device determines that the condition for the MT-SDT is met / the first condition is satisfied).
As per claim 73, Koskinen disclose An apparatus (see Fig.1, Fig.2, Fig.5, UE 110) comprising one or more processors (see Fig.5, processor 510, para. 0145-0147) and one or more storage devices (see Fig.5, one or more memories 520) on which are stored instructions that are operable, when executed by the one or more processors (see para 0145-0147, computer program 530 includes computer executable instructions that are executed by the associated processor 510. The program 530 is stored in the ROM 524. The processor 510 perform any suitable actions and processing by loading the program 530 into the RAM 522), to cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising:
receiving, in an RRC_INACTIVE state, a Mobile Terminated Small Data Transmission (MT-SDT) paging message from a base station (see Fig.1, Fig.2, Network Device 120) of a wireless network (see Fig.2, para. 0064, the network device 120 transmits (205), to the terminal device 110, an indication message indicating the terminal device 110 to initiate an MT-SDT, the terminal device 110 receives (210), from the network device 120, the indication message the indication message comprise a paging message indicating the terminal device 110 to trigger or initiate an MT-SDT procedure, see also Fig.4, step 410, para. 0108, 0113);
determining whether one or more conditions for transferring data from the base station using MT-SDT have been configured (see para. 0065, the terminal device 110 determine whether to initiate the MT-SDT, the terminal device 110 determine whether the MT-SDT is to be initiated based on a predetermined condition for the MT-SDT, the condition for the MT-SDT is associated with one or more of an RSRP threshold), wherein the one or more conditions comprises a first condition pertaining to a comparison between a radio quality of wireless signals received from the base station and a threshold value (see para. 0065, the condition for the MT-SDT is associated with one or more of an RSRP threshold, when the RSRP (a radio quality) is greater (comparison) than the RSRP threshold, it is suitable to perform the MT-SDT); and
transmitting, in the RRC INACTIVE state, an uplink (UL) response message to initiate the MT-SDT, based on a determination that the one or more conditions are satisfied (see Fig.2, para. 0064, the network device 120 transmits (205), to the terminal device 110, an indication message indicating the terminal device 110 to initiate an MT-SDT, the terminal device 110 receives (210), from the network device 120, the indication message the indication message comprise a paging message indicating the terminal device 110 to trigger or initiate an MT-SDT procedure, see also Fig.4, step 410, para. 0108, 0113).
Koskinen however does not explicitly disclose wherein the threshold value is common to both MT-SDT and Mobile Originated Small Data Transmission (MO-SDT).
Agiwal however disclose wherein a threshold value is common to both MT-SDT and Mobile Originated Small Data Transmission (see para. 0428-0432, when sdt-RSRP-Threshold is not configured for MT-SDT, UE applies the sdt-RSRP-Threshold configured for MO-SDT, a threshold value is common to both MT-SDT and MO-SDT).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the functionality of wherein a threshold value is common to both MT-SDT and Mobile Originated Small Data Transmission, as taught by Agiwal, in the system of Koskinen, so as to reduce signaling overhead and UE power consumption by not transitioning to radio resource control (RRC)_CONNECTED and reducing latency by allowing fast transmission of (small and infrequent) packets, see Agiwal paragraphs 13-15.
Claims 71-72 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Koskinen et al. (PCT/CN2022/133030 further published as US Pub. No.: 2025/0106930), Agiwal (US Pub. No.:2023/0209504)and further in view of ZTE (MT-SDT procedure, R2-2211532, 00-18-2022).
As per claim 71, the combination of Koskinen and Agiwal disclose the non-transitory computer storage medium of claim 68.
The combination of Koskinen and Agiwal however does not explicitly disclose wherein the one or more conditions comprise a second condition pertaining to a selection of a resource by the EU for transmitting the UL response message.
ZTE however disclose wherein e one or more conditions comprise a second condition pertaining to a selection of a resource for transmitting the UL response message to the base station (see section 3, section 5, Proposal 4: Upon receiving MT-SDT trigger, the UE shall perform the following checks before SDT procedure is initiated (all these same as Rel-17), -4d: Check for SSB level RSRP threshold for CG resource).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the functionality of determining whether one or more conditions for exchanging data with a base station using MT-SDT are satisfied, as taught by ZTE, in the system of Koskinen and Agiwal, so that upon receiving MT-SDT trigger in the paging record, the UE performs further checks to see if radio conditions are suitable for SDT to be initiated, see ZTE section 5, proposal 3 and Proposal 4.
As per claim 72, the combination of Koskinen, Agiwal and ZTE disclose the non-transitory computer storage medium of claim 68.
ZTE further disclose wherein the second condition comprises selecting the resource from among: a legacy Random Access Channel (RACH) resource, a RACH resource specific to Small Data Transmission (SDT), and a Configured Grant (CG) resource specific to SDT (see sections 4 and 5, the SDT cause is known to the network either by the RACH resource or by CG resource used by the UE. Since the network anyway knows the UE has been paged for mt-SDT, there is no need for a separate mt-SDT resume cause either, see also proposal 3, At least on SSB above RSRP threshold exists with CG resource: Again, if CG resource is configured, this check should be performed by the UE before using CG resources and Proposal 4, 4d: Check for SSB level RSRP threshold for CG resource).
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Second Rejection:
Claims 37-39, 41-42 and 45-49 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Huawei (Early DL data transmission, R2-1813914, 10-12-2018), in view of Lenovo (Discussion on the MT-SDT procedure, R2-2212120, 11-18-2022) and further in view of Agiwal (US Pub. No.:2023/0209504).
As per claim 37, Huawei disclose A method (see Fig.2, Fig.4-Fig.7, UE in RRC_Idle an RRC_INACTIVE state)comprising:
receiving, in an RRC_INACTIVE state (see section 2.2.1, 2.2.4.2, UE receiving in RRC_Idle an RRC_INACTIVE state), a paging message from a base station of a wireless network (see section 2,2,4,2, Fig.3, Fig.8, step 3, UE receiving a paging message from eNB/ a base station), the paging messaging comprising a Mobile Terminated Small Data Transmission (MT-SDT) indication (see section 2.2 DL-EDT solutions; 2.2.2.1 DL data / MT-SDT with MSG2 for the CP solution); and
transmitting, in the RRC_INACTIVE state, an uplink (UL) response message to initiate the MT-SDT, based on a determination that the one or more conditions are satisfied (see Fig.3. Step 8, UE transmitting UL ACK based on a determination that the one or more conditions are satisfied).
Although Huawei disclose receiving, in an RRC_INACTIVE state, a paging message from a base station of a wireless network;
Huawei however does not explicitly disclose determining whether one or more conditions for exchanging data with the base station using MT-SDT are satisfied, wherein the one or more conditions comprises a first condition pertaining to a comparison between a radio quality of wireless signals received from the base station and a threshold value, and wherein the threshold value is common to both MT-SDT and Mobile Originated Small Data Transmission (MO-SDT);
Lenovo however disclose a UE receiving a paging message from a base station of a wireless network (see Fig.1, UE receiving paging message from gNB/a base station) and a determining whether one or more conditions for exchanging data with the base station using MT-SDT are satisfied, wherein the one or more conditions comprises a first condition pertaining to a comparison between a radio quality of wireless signals received from the base station and a threshold value (see Fig.1, section 2, page 2 and 3, SSB selection CG resources, determining whether at least one of the SSB's RSRP {a radio quality} is above a configured threshold / a threshold value).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the functionality of determining whether one or more conditions for exchanging data with the base station using MT-SDT are satisfied, wherein the one or more conditions comprises a first condition pertaining to a comparison between a radio quality of wireless signals received from the base station and a threshold value, as taught by Lenovo, in the system of Huawei and ZTE, so that : UL SDT (MO-SDT) procedure is initiated to respond to the paging for SDT, see Lenovo section 2, proposal 2.
The combination of Huawei and Lenovo however does not explicitly disclose wherein the threshold value is common to both MT-SDT and Mobile Originated Small Data Transmission.
Agiwal however disclose wherein a threshold value is common to both MT-SDT and Mobile Originated Small Data Transmission (see para. 0428-0432, when sdt-RSRP-Threshold is not configured for MT-SDT, UE applies the sdt-RSRP-Threshold configured for MO-SDT, a threshold value is common to both MT-SDT and MO-SDT).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the functionality of wherein a threshold value is common to both MT-SDT and Mobile Originated Small Data Transmission, as taught by Agiwal, in the system of Huawei and Lenovo, so as to reduce signaling overhead and UE power consumption by not transitioning to radio resource control (RRC)_CONNECTED and reducing latency by allowing fast transmission of (small and infrequent) packets, see Agiwal paragraphs 13-15.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Esswie (US Pub. No.:2024/0236941) – see para. 0200, “FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a representative communication sequence for downlink small data transmission. As shown in FIG. 5, a UE (e.g., WTRU) may begin at 502 by being in any of a RRC idle, inactive or connected state. The WTRU may indicate a DL SDT capability to the RAN interface at 504. The RAN may store information of the DL SDT capability at 506 as part of the WTRU CN context information, such as to be utilized when a small DL payload arrives for the WTRU. The RAN may configure one or more DL SDT configurations at 508, such as by using higher layer signaling, as described herein. For example, the WTRU may receive one or more DL SDT configurations, each configuration may include any of a DL SDT PDSCH resource set, an indication whether the DL SDT payload is multiplexed with a paging record or being transmitted over dedicated PDSCH resource sets, a configuration of the DL SDT resource sets, a predefined and/or default MCS level for DL SDT, and/or default PDSCH-DL-beam-association information. After, the WTRU may transition to the RRC inactive state. The inactive WTRU may, for a current paging occasion 514, receive a DL SDT indication at 512”.
Awad et al (US Pub. No.:2025/0212174) – see para. 0095, “Essentially, embodiments of the present technique propose that a UE checks certain conditions when responding to paging-triggered MT-SDT in INACTIVE state, where such conditions check firstly whether the UE is able to receive and respond to the MT-SDT, and secondly how this procedure should be carried out. These conditions can be configured explicitly or implicitly. It is assumed here that: [0096] The UE is (or at least, should be) configured with at least one radio bearer for DL SDT (i.e. the radio bearer that will transport the downlink SDT) in the RRCRelease with suspend indication. This radio bearer may have an identifier or ID associated with it; [0097] The UE is configured with a DL RSRP threshold via system information in order to exclude cell-edge UEs in large cells from receiving DL SDT data (because while such UEs may be able to receive such DL SDT data, the problem here may be in the transmission of feedback by such UEs in the uplink); and [0098] The UE is configured with an UL SDT Data Volume Threshold (DVT) via system information in order to exclude the transmission of large data (if any) in the uplink when responding to paging-triggered MT-SDT.”.
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 LAKERAM JANGBAHADUR whose telephone number is (571)272-1335. The examiner can normally be reached on M-F 7 am - 4 pm.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Ian Moore can be reached on 571-272-3085. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished applications is available through Private PAIR only. For more information about the PAIR system, see http://pair-direct.uspto.gov. Should you have questions on access to the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to the automated information system, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
/LAKERAM JANGBAHADUR/
Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2469
Prosecution Insights