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
Acknowledgment is made of applicant’s claim for foreign priority under 35
U.S.C.119 (a)-(d). The certified copy has been filed in parent Greece patent application No. GR 20210100149 filed on 03/11/2021. Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR1.55.
Response to Amendment
This Office Action is in response to applicant’s amendment submitted on March 9, 2026.
Claims 1, 4, 6, 9, 50, 53, 56, 58 and 61 are now currently pending in the present application.
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 (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 the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
(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, 4, 6, 9, 50, 53, 56, 58 and 61 are rejected under U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Hwang et al. (US 2019/0090092 A1, hereinafter Hwang).
Consider Claim 1, Hwang discloses a method of wireless communication performed by a relay user equipment (UE), the method comprising:
receiving, from a base station, a first set of one or more resource pool for positioning (RPP) configurations, each RPP configuration of the one or more RPP configurations defining one or more RPPs comprising resources for positioning, (paragraph 0112, In this case, the network server 407 schedules D2D communication signal transmission for each anchor node 403 in order to perform OTDoA-based positioning in operation 611. Paragraph 0119, In <Option 2.5>, <Option 2.6>, <Option 2.7>, and <Option 2.8>, the network server 407 schedules SRS signal transmission for each anchor node 403 to perform OTDoA- based positioning in operations 641 and 651. Paragraph 0121, If such an SRS is used as a PRS, the serving eNB 405 should distinguish an SRS transmitted to measure a UL channel state from an SRS serving as a PRS).
wherein each RPP comprises resources only for positioning and not for data transmissions or control transmissions; and (Paragraph 0070, In the description of embodiments of the present disclosure, an "anchor node" may be a fixed D2D UE pre-installed at a specific position by a network operator. The anchor node may also be a mobile D2D UE whose position is detected preliminarily by a legacy positioning technology such as GPS);
assigning, to each of one or more remote UEs, an RPP of the one or more RPPs or a portion thereof according to the RPP configuration. (Paragraph 0112, Subsequently, the anchor nodes 403 may not provide assistant data to the UE 401. Paragraph 0113, The reason for not providing assistant data to the UE 401 by the anchor nodes 403 is that essential assistant data required to receive a PSSCH from each anchor node 403 is already provided on a PSCCH in the 3GPPLTE Rel-12 standard. Paragraph 0119, To receive SRS signals, the UE 401 needs assistant data. Transmission time information, time/frequency position information, and SRS sequence index information about an SRS signal are essential assistant data. Paragraph 0120, That is, the anchor nodes 403 may configure the essential assistant data and directly transmit the configured essential assistant data to the UE 401 (Option 2.5), or configure the essential assistant data and the optional assistant data together and directly transmit the configured essential and optional assistant data to the UE 401 (Option 2.6)).
Consider Claim 4, Hwang discloses the method of claim 1, wherein each RPP configuration comprises information indicating:
a bandwidth of the RPP,
a location of the RPP in the frequency domain,
a time duration of the RPP,
a location of the RPP in the time domain,
a periodicity of the RPP,
or combinations thereof. (Paragraph 0119, to receive SRS signals, the UE 401 needs assistant data. Transmission time information, time/frequency position information, and SRS sequence index information about an SRS signal (required to determine the position of an FFT window) are essential assistant data. Further, position information and transmission time information about the anchor nodes 403 required for the UE 401 to estimate its position directly may be optional assistant data. Paragraph 0139, the BW indicator may be configured in a predetermined number of bit streams, indicating the number of resource blocks (RBs) along the frequency axis or an index indicating one of predetermined BW levels).
Consider Claim 6, Hwang discloses the method of claim 1, wherein each RPP configuration defines a set of at least one sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) within the RPP. (Paragraph, 0068, first of all, the UE may receive "D2D PRSs" (hereinafter, referred to shortly as "PRSs") in a BW set to an initial value from other D2D UEs).
Consider Claim 9, Hwang discloses the method of claim 6, wherein assigning a portion of an RPP comprises assigning less than all of the SL-PRSs within the set of at least one SL-PRS. (Paragraph 0071, that is, the UE may receive PRSs from the plurality of anchor nodes or transmit a PRS to the plurality of anchor nodes).
Consider Claim 50, Hwang discloses the method of claim 40, further comprising:
receiving, from a second relay UE, a second request for one or more RPP configurations for use by one or more remote UEs served by the second relay UE; and (paragraph 0016, receiving an RS in a second bandwidth larger than the first bandwidth from each of the plurality of anchor nodes in response to the transmission of the bandwidth extension request message, and generating information required to position the UE, using the RSs received in the second bandwidth).
sending, to the second relay UE, a second set of one or more RPP configurations for use by one or more remote UEs served by the second relay UE, wherein the first set of one or more RPP configurations and the second set of one or more RPP configurations are orthogonal in time, frequency, or both. (Paragraph 0017, supporting positioning of a UE by a network server in a wireless communication system includes scheduling transmission of an RS in a first bandwidth for each of a plurality of anchor nodes, if the UE receiving the RSs in the first bandwidth detects a path overlap between the UE and the anchor nodes based on symmetry of channel impulse responses of the RSs, receiving a bandwidth extension request message from the UE, and scheduling RS transmission in a second bandwidth larger than the first bandwidth for each of the plurality of anchor nodes).
Consider Claim 53, Hwang discloses a relay user equipment (UE), comprising:
a memory; (Paragraph 0174, The program providing device may include a program having instructions for implementing a predeter-mined method for protecting content, a memory for storing information needed for the content protection method).
at least one transceiver; and (paragraph 0082, the network server 407 may include a transceiver for transmitting and receiving signals to and from an external entity, a scheduler for scheduling PRS transmission, and a controller for pro- viding overall control).
at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, the at least one processor configured to: (Paragraph 0163, the method according to the embodi-ment of the present disclosure may be implemented by a computer or a portable terminal including a controller and a memory. The memory is an example of a machine-readable storage medium suitable for storing a program or programs including instructions that implement embodiments of the present disclosure).
receive, from a base station, a first set of one or more resource pool for positioning (RPP) configurations, each RPP configuration of the one or more RPP configurations defining one or more RPPs comprising resources for positioning, (paragraph 0112, in this case, the network server 407 schedules D2D communication signal transmission for each anchor node 403 in order to perform OTDoA-based positioning in operation 611. Paragraph 0119, In <Option 2.5>, <Option 2.6>, <Option 2.7>, and <Option 2.8>, the network server 407 schedules SRS signal transmission for each anchor node 403 to perform OTDoA- based positioning in operations 641 and 651. Paragraph 0121, If such an SRS is used as a PRS, the serving eNB 405 should distinguish an SRS transmitted to measure a UL channel state from an SRS serving as a PRS).
wherein each RPP comprises resources only for positioning and not for data transmissions or control transmissions; and (paragraph 0070, In the description of embodiments of the present disclosure, an "anchor node" may be a fixed D2D UE pre-installed at a specific position by a network operator. The anchor node may also be a mobile D2D UE whose position is detected preliminarily by a legacy positioning technology such as GPS).
cause the at least one transceiver to send, to each of at least one remote UEs, an assignment of an RPP of the one or more RPPs or a portion thereof according to the RPP configuration. (Paragraph 0112, Subsequently, the anchor nodes 403 may not provide assistant data to the UE 401. Paragraph 0113, The reason for not providing assistant data to the UE 401 by the anchor nodes 403 is that essential assistant data required to receive a PSSCH from each anchor node 403 is already provided on a PSCCH in the 3GPPLTE Rel-12 standard. Paragraph 0119, To receive SRS signals, the UE 401 needs assistant data. Transmission time information, time/frequency position information, and SRS sequence index information about an SRS signal are essential assistant data. Paragraph 0120, That is, the anchor nodes 403 may configure the essential assistant data and directly transmit the configured essential assistant data to the UE 401 (Option 2.5), or configure the essential assistant data and the optional assistant data together and directly transmit the configured essential and optional assistant data to the UE 401 (Option 2.6)).
Consider Claim 56, Hwang discloses, the relay UE of claim 53, wherein an RPP configuration comprises information indicating:
a bandwidth of the RPP,
a location of the RPP in the frequency domain,
a time duration of the RPP,
a location of the RPP in the time domain,
a periodicity of the RPP,
or combinations thereof. (Paragraph 0119, to receive SRS signals, the UE 401 needs assistant data. Transmission time information, time/frequency position information, and SRS sequence index information about an SRS signal (required to determine the position of an FFT window) are essential assistant data. Further, position information and transmission time information about the anchor nodes 403 required for the UE 401 to estimate its position directly may be optional assistant data. Paragraph 0139, the BW indicator may be configured in a predetermined number of bit streams, indicating the number of resource blocks (RBs) along the frequency axis or an index indicating one of predetermined BW levels).
Consider Claim 58, Hwang discloses the relay UE of claim 53, wherein each RPP configuration defines a set of at least one sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) within the RPP. (Paragraph, 0068, first of all, the UE may receive "D2D PRSs" (hereinafter, referred to shortly as "PRSs") in a BW set to an initial value from other D2D UEs).
Consider Claim 61, Hwang discloses the relay UE of claim 58, wherein the at least one processor being configured to assign a portion of an RPP comprises the at least one processor being configured to assign less than all of the SL-PRSs within the set of at least one SL-PRS. (Paragraph 0071, that is, the UE may receive PRSs from the plurality of anchor nodes or transmit a PRS to the plurality of anchor nodes).
Response to Arguments
Applicant' s arguments/remarks made in an amendment filed March 9, 2026 with respect to independent claims 1 and 53 have been fully considered.
With regards to applicant’s argument (page 19 &20) that Hwang fails to disclose “an anchor node that receives from a base station, one or more RPP configurations and assigns an RPP or a portion of an RPP to each of one or more remote UEs”. Examiner respectfully disagrees, the cited reference Hwang does disclose that the network server schedules D2D communication signal transmission for each anchor node, constructs optional assistant data with position information and transmission time information about the anchor node, and sends that optional assistant data to the UE. (Hwang, (paragraph 0112, in this case, the network server 407 schedules D2D communication signal transmission for each anchor node 403 in order to perform OTDoA-based positioning in operation 611. Also, Hwang discloses in (paragraph 0119, in <Option 2.5>, <Option 2.6>, <Option 2.7>, and <Option 2.8>, the network server 407 schedules SRS signal transmission for each anchor node 403 to perform OTDoA- based positioning in operations 641 and 651. While disclosing in (paragraph 0121, if such an SRS is used as a PRS, the serving eNB 405 should distinguish an SRS transmitted to measure a UL channel state from an SRS serving as a PRS). In addition, (paragraph 0070, in the description of embodiments of the present disclosure, an "anchor node" may be a fixed D2D UE pre-installed at a specific position by a network operator. The anchor node may also be a mobile D2D UE whose position is detected preliminarily by a legacy positioning technology such as GPS). Which suggest in the above citations that the network server creates the optional assistant data that the anchor node passes on to the UE and these resources are only for positioning and not for data transmissions.
With regards to applicant’s argument (page 20&21) that “claim 1 recites that the relay UE provides the remote UE an RPP or a portion of an RPP, where an RPP comprises resources only for positioning and not for data transmissions or control transmissions. That is, in claim 1, a remote UE receives a block of resources that it can use only for positioning and not for data transmissions or control transmissions, while Hwang discloses that a UE receives information about when an anchor node is going to transmit D2D communication signals”. Examiner respectfully disagrees.
Hwang discloses device and method wherein each RPP comprises resources only for positioning and not for data transmissions or control transmissions; and (Paragraph 0070, In the description of embodiments of the present disclosure, an "anchor node" may be a fixed D2D UE pre-installed at a specific position by a network operator. The anchor node may also be a mobile D2D UE whose position is detected preliminarily by a legacy positioning technology such as GPS). In addition, positioning is performed through D2D communication in the positioning schemes based on the legacy cellular communication system, OTDoA and UTDoA. For example, Global Positioning System (GPS) functions as a one-way data transmission system, the satellites continuously broadcast radio signals containing time and orbital data, which GPS receivers collect to calculate position,
As a result, the claims are written such that they read upon the cited references.
Conclusion
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to MICHELE CAMILLE DOUGLAS whose telephone number is (571)270-0458. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday 6:30 am - 5:00 pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Jeanette J Parker can be reached at 571-270-3647. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/MICHELE C DOUGLAS/ Examiner, Art Unit 2646
/JEANETTE J PARKER/ Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2646
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