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 .
2. This action is in response to supplemental amendment filed on 02/16/26.
3. Claims 1-11, 13-17 & 20-23 are under examination.
4. Claims 1-9, 11, 13-17 & 20-23 are previously amended.
5. Claims 12 & 18-19 are cancelled.
Response to Arguments
6. Applicant’s amendment filed on 02/16/26, regarding a specification objection (Title) is considered and is persuasive. Therefore, the specification objection is withdrawn.
7. Applicant’s argument filed on 02/16/26, regarding a specification objection (abstract) is considered and is persuasive. Therefore, the specification objection is withdrawn.
8. Applicant’s amendment filed on 02/16/26, regarding a claim objection (claims 1, 13, 16 & 23) is considered and is persuasive. Therefore, the claim objection is withdrawn.
9. Applicant’s amendment/argument filed on 02/16/26, failed to address the claim objection (claims 21-23). Therefore, the claim objection is maintained.
10. Applicant's arguments and amendment filed on 02/16/26 regarding a 102 & 103 rejection (Claims 1-11, 13-17 & 20-23) have been fully considered but they are not persuasive as set forth below.
11. Regarding to claim 1: The Applicant’s argue (Pages 15) that, “…Thus, Zhang merely discloses that the first indication information is used to notify the remote device of the current link status between the relay device and the base station. However, the cited portions of Zhang do not teach or suggest the claimed feature that "the first notification message is configured for the remote UE to determine to release or maintain an RRC connection with the relay UE," let alone "receiving a message sent by the remote UE for releasing the RRC connection or maintaining the RRC connection," as recited in amended claim 1.
Zhang also discloses that:
[0105] the relay device sends a first indication message to the remote device. This first indication message is used to notify the remote device of the current link status between
the relay device and the network device, so that the remote device can determine a response strategy based on the current link status between the relay device and the network
device (for example, the remote device determines whether to reselect a relay device or whether to fall back to the original serving base station based on the current link status).
While Zhang discloses that the remote device determines whether to reselect a
relay device based on the current link status, Zhang does not teach or suggest the
claimed feature that "the relay UE receiving a message sent by the remote UE for
releasing the RRC connection or maintaining the RRC connection," as recited in
amended claim 1.
Applicant has also considered Wu and Xu, and respectfully submits that neither
of these references overcomes the above-noted deficiencies of Zheng with regard to the
subject matter of amended claim 1…”
12. The examiner respectfully disagrees with arguments since Zhang discloses a relay UE (corresponding to relay device) sending a first notification message (corresponding first indication information) to a remoted UE (corresponding to remote device), upon the link failure occurring on a link between the relay UE and a network device (corresponding to base station) (See Para, 0066-0067; The relay device determines the first indication information based on the current link status between the relay device and the base station, wherein the current link status is link reconfiguration, failure, link handover failure, handover in progress, radio link failure, or radio resource control connection re-establishment failure. the relay device sends the first indication information to the remote device). Thus, the relay device, upon determining the first indication information based on the link status (i.e. link failure) between the relay device and a network device, the relay device sends the first indication information to the remote device.
The prior art on the record Xu also clearly discloses the newly amended limitation in claim 1 as follow.
Xu discloses wherein the first notification message is configured for the remote UE to determine to release or maintain an RRC connection with the relay UE (See Para. 0086-0087, 110 & 0130; the relay wireless device (relay device in Zhang) transmits a RRC set up message to the remote wireless device (remote device in Zhang). the RRC procedure is used to reconfigure an existing RRC connection between the remote wireless device and the cellular base station (for example, the cellular base station may attempt to perform a RRC reconfiguration procedure), or may be used to release an existing RRC connection between the remote wireless device and the cellular base station. the relay UE 1304 may provide a RRC release message to the remote UE 1302);
wherein the method further comprises: receiving a message sent by the remote UE for releasing the RRC connection or maintaining the RRC connection (See Para. 0087, 0110, 0130 & 0133; the relay wireless device receives RRC set up completer message from the remote wireless device. the relay wireless device to: receive an indication to release the remote wireless device from the cellular base station in response to the indication of the link failure of the wireless link between the relay wireless device and the remote wireless device).
13. Thus, claims 1, 13 & 20-23 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Zhang, in view of Wu.
14. Claims 2-11 & 14-17 are also rejected since they are depend upon rejected independent claims set forth above.
Claims Objections
15. Claims 21-23 are objected to because of minor informalities:
16. Claim 21 recites, “…a remote UE, comprising: a processor; and a memory storing a computer program executable by the processor, wherein the processor is configured to perform the method of claim 13”. It is suggested to amend to: “a remote UE, comprising: a processor; and a memory storing a computer program executable by the processor, wherein the processor is configured to:
receiving a first notification message sent by a relay UE, wherein the first notification message is sent by the relay UE in response to a link failure occurring on the relay UE, in which the link failure comprises at least one of: a radio link failure; a T310 timer being expired; a T312 timer being expired; an integrity check failure on a Signaling Radio Bearer (SRB)1; an integrity check failure on a SRB2; an integrity check failure on a SRB3; or a reconfiguration failure” to avoid hybrid claims.
17. Claims 22-23 are also objected for the same reason as claim 21 above.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
18. 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 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.
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.
19. Claims 1-7, 9-11, 13-17 & 20-23 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Zhang et al. (hereinafter referred as Zhang) International Publication No. WO 2018/171514, in view of Xu et al. (hereinafter referred as Xu) US Patent Application Publication No. 2021/0051758 A1.
Regarding claims 1 & 20: Zhang discloses a relay user equipment (UE) (See FIG. 2 & Para. 0066; a relay device)/a method for processing a link failure, comprising:
a processor (See FIG. 2 & Para. 0066; a terminal device (i.e., a relay device) includes a CPU); and
a memory (See FIG. 2 & Para. 0066; a terminal device (i.e., a relay device) includes a memory) storing a computer program executable by the processor, wherein the processor is configured to:
send a first notification message (corresponding to first indication information) to a remote UE (corresponding to remote device) upon a link failure (corresponding to radio link failure) occurring on a link between the relay UE and a network, wherein the link failure comprises at least one of: a radio link failure (See Para, 0066-0067; The relay device determines the first indication information based on the current link status between the relay device and the base station, wherein the current link status is link reconfiguration, failure, link handover failure, handover in progress, radio link failure, or radio resource control connection re-establishment failure. the relay device sends the first indication information to the remote device).
Zhang does not explicitly disclose wherein the first notification message is configured for the remote UE to determine to release or maintain an RRC connection with the relay UE; wherein the method further comprises: receiving a message sent by the remote UE for releasing the RRC connection or maintaining the RRC connection.
However, Xu from the same field of endeavor discloses wherein the first notification message is configured for the remote UE to determine to release or maintain an RRC connection with the relay UE (See Para. 0086-0087, 110 & 0130; the relay wireless device (relay device in Zhang) transmits a RRC set up message to the remote wireless device (remote device in Zhang). the RRC procedure is used to reconfigure an existing RRC connection between the remote wireless device and the cellular base station (for example, the cellular base station may attempt to perform a RRC reconfiguration procedure), or may be used to release an existing RRC connection between the remote wireless device and the cellular base station. the relay UE 1304 may provide a RRC release message to the remote UE 1302);
wherein the method further comprises: receiving a message sent by the remote UE for releasing the RRC connection or maintaining the RRC connection (See Para. 0087, 0110, 0130 & 0133; the relay wireless device receives RRC set up completer message from the remote wireless device. the relay wireless device to: receive an indication to release the remote wireless device from the cellular base station in response to the indication of the link failure of the wireless link between the relay wireless device and the remote wireless device).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to include wherein the first notification message is configured for the remote UE to determine to release or maintain an RRC connection with the relay UE; wherein the method further comprises: receiving a message sent by the remote UE for releasing the RRC connection or maintaining the RRC connection as taught by Xu in the system of Zhang for performing radio resource control connection procedures for remote wireless devices in a wireless communication system (See Para. 0005; lines 1-2).
Regarding claim 2: The combination of Zhang and Xu discloses a method.
Furthermore, Zhang disclose a method, wherein sending the first notification message to the remote UE comprises: determining whether to send the first notification message to the remote UE based on a cell chosen to reestablished a connection with the relay UE (See Para. 0071; after receiving a handover command containing multiple configuration information from the serving base station, the relay device switches from the current serving base station to the target base station. At this point, the relay device will determine whether to send the first indication information to the remote device based on the link status with the network device).
Regarding claim 3: The combination of Zhang and Xu discloses a method.
Furthermore, Zhang disclose a method, wherein sending the first notification message to the remote UE comprises: receiving an area range sent by the network device, wherein the area range is a cell list or a tracking area list (See Para. 0204; receive the indication information sent by the network device, which is used to indicate whether the second terminal device should perform a group operation (e.g., tracking area update operation)); in response to performing by the relay UE a cell reestablishment within the area range, not sending the first notification message to the remote UE; and in response to not performing by the relay UE a cell reestablishment within the area range, sending the first notification message to the remote UE (See Para. 0146-0147; the network device does not allow the relay device and/or remote device to perform group tracking area updates and does not send feedback information to the relay device and/or remote device (leading to the network device losing the tracking area information of the relay device and/or remote device). This also avoids increasing the difficulty for the network device to subsequently page the relay device and/or remote device).
Regarding claim 4: The combination of Zhang and Xu discloses a method.
Furthermore, Zhang disclose a method, wherein sending the first notification message to the remote UE comprises: wherein determining whether to send the first notification message to the remote UE based on the reestablished cell comprises: in response to the cell chosen to be reestablish the connection with the relay UE being identical to a serving cell before the link failure occurs, not sending the first notification message to the remote UE (See Para. 0103; the relay device is already in the process of handover, and during the handover process, the relay device will not send information to the base station..; after the relay device completes the handover, the relay device will send information to the target base station according to the configuration negotiated with the target base station. It is meaningless for information sent by a remote device to a relay device according to the configuration negotiated with the original serving base station, and then forwarded by the relay device to the target base station).
Regarding claim 5: The combination of Zhang and Xu discloses a method.
Furthermore, Zhang disclose a method, wherein sending the first notification message to the remote UE comprises: determining to send the first notification message to the remote UE based on a configuration from a network device (See Para. 0071; after receiving a handover command containing multiple configuration information from the serving base station. At this point, the relay device will determine whether to send the first indication information to the remote device based on the link status with the network device).
Regarding claim 6: The combination of Zhang and Xu discloses a method.
Furthermore, Zhang disclose a method, wherein determining to send the first notification message to the remote UE based on the configuration from the network device comprises: receiving first identification information sent by the network device, wherein the first identification information is configured to indicate to send the first notification message to all remote UEs; and determining whether to send the first notification message to all the remote UEs connected to the relay terminal UE based on the first identification information (See Para. 0071; after receiving a handover command containing multiple configuration information from the serving base station, the relay device switches from the current serving base station to the target base station. At this point, the relay device will determine whether to send the first indication information to the remote device based on the link status with the network device).
Regarding claim 7: The combination of Zhang and Xu discloses a method.
Furthermore, Zhang disclose a method, wherein determining to send the first notification message to the remote UE based on the configuration from the network device comprises: receiving a plurality of pieces of second identification information sent by the network device, wherein each piece of the second identification information is configured to indicate whether to send the first notification message to a corresponding remote UE; and determining whether to send the first notification message to corresponding remote UEs based on the plurality of pieces of second identification information sent by the network device (See Para. 0071; after receiving a handover command containing multiple configuration information from the serving base station, the relay device switches from the current serving base station to the target base station. At this point, the relay device will determine whether to send the first indication information to the remote device based on the link status with the network device).
Regarding claim 9: The combination of Zhang and Xu discloses a method.
Furthermore, Zhang disclose a method, wherein the first notification message comprises at least one of: a failure cause, in which the failure cause comprises at least one of: the radio link failure (See Para, 0066-0067; The relay device determines the first indication information based on the current link status between the relay device and the base station, wherein the current link status is link reconfiguration, failure, link handover failure, handover in progress, radio link failure, or radio resource control connection re-establishment failure. the relay device sends the first indication information to the remote device).
Regarding claim 10: The combination of Zhang and Xu discloses a method.
Furthermore, Zhang disclose a method, further comprising at least one of: notifying a higher layer that the link failure has occurred (See Para, 0066-0067; The relay device determines the first indication information based on the current link status between the relay device and the base station. the relay device sends the first indication information to the remote device).
Regarding claim 11: The combination of Zhang and Xu discloses a method.
Furthermore, Xu disclose a method, in response to a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection reestablishment with the relay UE succeeding, performing at least one of sending a second notification message to a network device (See FIG. 11 & Para. 0108; the relay UE may provide a RRC reestablishment complete message to the gNB).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to include in response to a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection reestablishment with the relay UE succeeding, performing at least one of sending a second notification message to a network device as taught by Xu in the system of Zhang for performing radio resource control connection procedures for remote wireless devices in a wireless communication system (See Para. 0005; lines 1-2).
Regarding claims 13 & 21: Zhang discloses a remote user equipment (UE) (See FIG. 2 & Para. 0066; a remote device), comprising:
a processor (See FIG. 2 & Para. 0066; a terminal device (i.e., a remote device) includes a CPU); and
a memory (See FIG. 2 & Para. 0066; a terminal device (i.e., a remote device) includes a memory) storing a computer program executable by the processor, wherein the processor is configured to perform:
receiving a first notification message (corresponding to first indication information) sent by a relay UE (corresponding to relay device),
wherein the first notification message is sent by the relay UE upon the link failure (corresponding to radio link failure) occurring on a link between the relay UE and a network device, in which the link failure comprises at least one of: a radio link failure (See Para, 0066-0067; The relay device determines the first indication information based on the current link status between the relay device and the base station, wherein the current link status is link reconfiguration, failure, link handover failure, handover in progress, radio link failure, or radio resource control connection re-establishment failure. the relay device sends the first indication information to the remote device).
Zhang does not explicitly disclose wherein the first notification message is configured for the remote UE to determine to release or maintain an RRC connection with the relay UE; wherein the method further comprises: receiving a message sent by the remote UE for releasing the RRC connection or maintaining the RRC connection.
However, Xu from the same field of endeavor discloses wherein the first notification message is configured for the remote UE to determine to release or maintain an RRC connection with the relay UE (See Para. 0086-0087, 110 & 0130; the relay wireless device (relay device in Zhang) transmits a RRC set up message to the remote wireless device (remote device in Zhang). the RRC procedure is used to reconfigure an existing RRC connection between the remote wireless device and the cellular base station (for example, the cellular base station may attempt to perform a RRC reconfiguration procedure), or may be used to release an existing RRC connection between the remote wireless device and the cellular base station. the relay UE 1304 may provide a RRC release message to the remote UE 1302);
wherein the method further comprises: receiving a message sent by the remote UE for releasing the RRC connection or maintaining the RRC connection (See Para. 0087, 0110, 0130 & 0133; the relay wireless device receives RRC set up completer message from the remote wireless device. the relay wireless device to: receive an indication to release the remote wireless device from the cellular base station in response to the indication of the link failure of the wireless link between the relay wireless device and the remote wireless device).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to include wherein the first notification message is configured for the remote UE to determine to release or maintain an RRC connection with the relay UE; wherein the method further comprises: receiving a message sent by the remote UE for releasing the RRC connection or maintaining the RRC connection as taught by Xu in the system of Zhang for performing radio resource control connection procedures for remote wireless devices in a wireless communication system (See Para. 0005; lines 1-2).
Regarding claim 14: The combination of Zhang and Xu discloses a remote UE.
Furthermore, Zhang disclose a remote UE, wherein the first notification message comprises at least one of: the radio link failure (See Para, 0066-0067; The relay device determines the first indication information based on the current link status between the relay device and the base station, wherein the current link status is link reconfiguration, failure, link handover failure, handover in progress, radio link failure, or radio resource control connection re-establishment failure. the relay device sends the first indication information to the remote device).
Regarding claim 15: The combination of Zhang and Xu discloses a remote UE.
Furthermore, Zhang disclose a remote UE, determining to maintain the connection with the relay UE, stopping sending relay data to the relay UE (See Para. 0014; stop sending data to the first terminal device).
Regarding claim 16: The combination of Zhang and Xu discloses a remote UE.
Furthermore, Xu disclose a remote UE, receiving a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection reestablishment success notification of the relay UE sent by the relay UE; and resuming sending the relay data to the relay UE (See FIG. 16 & Para. 0116 & 0108-0109 & 0139; RRC reestablishment complete and resume message).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to include receiving a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection reestablishment success notification of the relay UE sent by the relay UE; and resuming sending the relay data to the relay UE as taught by Xu in the system of Zhang for performing radio resource control connection procedures for remote wireless devices in a wireless communication system (See Para. 0005; lines 1-2).
Regarding claim 17: The combination of Zhang and Xu discloses a remote UE.
Furthermore, Zhang disclose a remote UE, receiving a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection reestablishment failure notification of the relay UE sent by the relay UE; and disconnecting from the relay UE and performing at least one of a relay reselection, a trigger of a connection re-establishment, or a cell reselection (See Para. 0014, 0138 & 0146; the second terminal device can reselect the first terminal device to reduce the communication latency caused by reselecting the first terminal device and RRC reestablishment message).
Regarding claim 22: Zhang discloses a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (See FIG. 2 & Para. 0066; a terminal device (i.e., a relay device) includes a memory) for storing instructions, wherein when the instructions stored in the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium are executed by a processor of a relay user equipment (UE), to perform:
send a first notification message (corresponding to first indication information) to a remote UE (corresponding to remote device) upon a link failure (corresponding to radio link failure) occurring on a link between the relay UE and a network, wherein the link failure comprises at least one of: a radio link failure (See Para, 0066-0067; The relay device determines the first indication information based on the current link status between the relay device and the base station, wherein the current link status is link reconfiguration, failure, link handover failure, handover in progress, radio link failure, or radio resource control connection re-establishment failure. the relay device sends the first indication information to the remote device).
Zhang does not explicitly disclose wherein the first notification message is configured for the remote UE to determine to release or maintain an RRC connection with the relay UE; wherein the method further comprises: receiving a message sent by the remote UE for releasing the RRC connection or maintaining the RRC connection.
However, Xu from the same field of endeavor discloses wherein the first notification message is configured for the remote UE to determine to release or maintain an RRC connection with the relay UE (See Para. 0086-0087, 110 & 0130; the relay wireless device (relay device in Zhang) transmits a RRC set up message to the remote wireless device (remote device in Zhang). the RRC procedure is used to reconfigure an existing RRC connection between the remote wireless device and the cellular base station (for example, the cellular base station may attempt to perform a RRC reconfiguration procedure), or may be used to release an existing RRC connection between the remote wireless device and the cellular base station. the relay UE 1304 may provide a RRC release message to the remote UE 1302);
wherein the method further comprises: receiving a message sent by the remote UE for releasing the RRC connection or maintaining the RRC connection (See Para. 0087, 0110, 0130 & 0133; the relay wireless device receives RRC set up completer message from the remote wireless device. the relay wireless device to: receive an indication to release the remote wireless device from the cellular base station in response to the indication of the link failure of the wireless link between the relay wireless device and the remote wireless device).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to include wherein the first notification message is configured for the remote UE to determine to release or maintain an RRC connection with the relay UE; wherein the method further comprises: receiving a message sent by the remote UE for releasing the RRC connection or maintaining the RRC connection as taught by Xu in the system of Zhang for performing radio resource control connection procedures for remote wireless devices in a wireless communication system (See Para. 0005; lines 1-2).
Regarding claim 23: Zhang discloses a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (See FIG. 2 & Para. 0066; a terminal device (i.e., a relay device) includes a memory) for storing instructions, wherein when the instructions stored in the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium are executed by a processor of a relay user equipment (UE), to perform:
receiving a first notification message (corresponding to first indication information) sent by a relay UE (corresponding to relay device),
wherein the first notification message is sent by the relay UE upon the link failure (corresponding to radio link failure) occurring on a link between the relay UE and a network device, in which the link failure comprises at least one of: a radio link failure (See Para, 0066-0067; The relay device determines the first indication information based on the current link status between the relay device and the base station, wherein the current link status is link reconfiguration, failure, link handover failure, handover in progress, radio link failure, or radio resource control connection re-establishment failure. the relay device sends the first indication information to the remote device).
Zhang does not explicitly disclose wherein the first notification message is configured for the remote UE to determine to release or maintain an RRC connection with the relay UE; wherein the method further comprises: receiving a message sent by the remote UE for releasing the RRC connection or maintaining the RRC connection.
However, Xu from the same field of endeavor discloses wherein the first notification message is configured for the remote UE to determine to release or maintain an RRC connection with the relay UE (See Para. 0086-0087, 110 & 0130; the relay wireless device (relay device in Zhang) transmits a RRC set up message to the remote wireless device (remote device in Zhang). the RRC procedure is used to reconfigure an existing RRC connection between the remote wireless device and the cellular base station (for example, the cellular base station may attempt to perform a RRC reconfiguration procedure), or may be used to release an existing RRC connection between the remote wireless device and the cellular base station. the relay UE 1304 may provide a RRC release message to the remote UE 1302);
wherein the method further comprises: receiving a message sent by the remote UE for releasing the RRC connection or maintaining the RRC connection (See Para. 0087, 0110, 0130 & 0133; the relay wireless device receives RRC set up completer message from the remote wireless device. the relay wireless device to: receive an indication to release the remote wireless device from the cellular base station in response to the indication of the link failure of the wireless link between the relay wireless device and the remote wireless device).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to include wherein the first notification message is configured for the remote UE to determine to release or maintain an RRC connection with the relay UE; wherein the method further comprises: receiving a message sent by the remote UE for releasing the RRC connection or maintaining the RRC connection as taught by Xu in the system of Zhang for performing radio resource control connection procedures for remote wireless devices in a wireless communication system (See Para. 0005; lines 1-2).
20. Claim 8 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Zhang, in view of Xu, further in view of Wu et al. (hereinafter referred as Wu) US Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0070281 A1.
Regarding claim 8: The combination of Zhang and Xu disclose all the limitation of the claimed invention with an exception of wherein determining to send the first notification message to the remote UE based on the configuration from the network device comprises: receiving a quality of service requirement sent by the network device; in response to data of a remote UE satisfying a corresponding quality of service requirement, sending the first notification message to the remote UE satisfying the corresponding quality of service requirement; or in response to the data of a remote UE satisfying a corresponding quality of service requirement, not sending the first notification message to the remote UE satisfying the corresponding quality of service requirement.
However, Wu from the same field of endeavor discloses wherein determining to send the first notification message to the remote UE based on the configuration from the network device comprises: receiving a quality of service requirement sent by the network device; in response to data of a remote UE satisfying a corresponding quality of service requirement, sending the first notification message to the remote UE satisfying the corresponding quality of service requirement (See Para. 0088; the remote terminal measures channel quality of the sidelink channel between it and each relay equipment. the remote terminal transmits the measurement result and the relay identifiers of the relay equipment to the eNB, and the eNB selects an appropriate relay for the remote terminal).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to include wherein determining to send the first notification message to the remote UE based on the configuration from the network device comprises: receiving a quality of service requirement sent by the network device; in response to data of a remote UE satisfying a corresponding quality of service requirement, sending the first notification message to the remote UE satisfying the corresponding quality of service requirement as taught by Wu in the system of Zhang in order to reduce a time interruption due to a poor relay link (See abstract; lines 7-8).
Conclusion
21. The prior art of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant’s disclosure.
A. Kim et al. 2020/0314716 A1 (Title: Method and apparatus for mobility in wireless communication system…) (See Abstract, Para. 0012 & 0037-0038).
B. Park et al. 2019/0082363 A1 (Title: Radio link failure information for PDCP duplication) (See abstract, Para. 0006 & 00813-0016).
C. Zhu et al. 2017/0118680 A1 (Title: Extend long term evolution connected state coverage..) (See FIG. 1, Para. 0046, 0050 & 0160).
22. 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 extension fee 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 date of this final action.
23. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to MEWALE A AMBAYE whose telephone number is (571)270-1076. The examiner can normally be reached on M.F 6a.m.-2p.m.. 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.
/MEWALE A AMBAYE/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2469