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 .
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 04/29/206 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
The Applicant argues that the references of Niu et al. and Zhang et al., alone or in
combination do not teach or suggest all the features of amended independent claims 1, 16, and 20 (see pages 6-7 of Applicant’s arguments filed on 04/29/2026).
The Examiner respectfully disagrees. Niu teaches the transmission of a plurality of SSBs in respective beams (p. [0041]), the beams have corresponding slots as illustrated in Figure 6. The receiving UE 101-2 identify an optimal beam by measuring the S-SSBs on each the beams (p. [0046]), which suggests that the UE receives a plurality of S-SSBs in each on the transmitted beams. Based on the broadest reasonable interpretation, a set is a collection of elements, thus a plurality of SSBs is considered a set. Therefore, Niu teaches the transmission of a first set and second set of SSBs in multiple slots (i.e., first and second slot).
Further, Zhang teaches the transmission of a plurality SSBs, each of the SSBs including a an identifier a respective scrambling code, cell ID, and SSB index (p. [0078]-[0079]), this allows the UE to identify which SSB has been received (p. [0080]). Consequently, the combination of references, would result in the transmission of SSBs with respective SSB-ID within the slots, given that Niu teaches the transmission of SSBs in beams and corresponding slots. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to modify Niu with the teachings of including a S-SSB IDs in the transmission of SSBs, since such a modification would allow the UE to determine which SSBs has been received based on the identifying information and perform time synchronization (Zhang – p. [0091]).
In response to applicant's arguments against the references individually, one cannot show nonobviousness by attacking references individually where the rejections are based on combinations of references. See In re Keller, 642 F.2d 413, 208 USPQ 871 (CCPA 1981); In re Merck & Co., 800 F.2d 1091, 231 USPQ 375 (Fed. Cir. 1986).
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, 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 1-3, 8, 10, 11, 16-18, and 20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over NIU et al. (US 2024/0340924) in view of ZHANG et al. (US 2019/0313350).
Regarding claim 1, Niu discloses a user equipment (UE) for wireless communication (Fig. 18, p. [0094]), comprising: one or more memories (Fig. 18, Memory 1804G); and one or more processors (Fig. 18, CPU), coupled to the one or more memories, configured to:
transmit, within a first slot, a first set of sidelink synchronization signal blocks (S-SSBs) (p. [0041], [0052]; Fig. 6, 642A; the UE 101-2 transmits a plurality of S-SSBs (i.e., first set) on a plurality of respective beams, for example, figure 6 shows the UE transmitting a plurality of S-SSBs on Tx beam 512A in a first slot); and
transmit, within a second slot, a second set of S-SSBs (p. [0041], [0052];Fig. 6, 642B; the UE 101-2 transmits a plurality of S-SSBs (i.e., second set) on Tx beam 512B in a second slot, see Fig 6).
But, Niu does not particularly disclose each S-SSB of the first set and second set of S-SSBs indicating a respective S-SSB identifier (ID) within the first and second slot.
However, Zhang teaches wherein each S-SSB of the first set and second set of S-SSBs indicating a respective S-SSB identifier (ID) (p. [0076], [0078], [0079], [0080], [0081]; a plurality of SSB is transmitted in a burst, each may be identified by a respective scrambling code, based on cell ID and SSB index (i.e., SSB identifier); note that the combination of references, would result in the transmission of SSBs with respective SSB-ID within the slots, given that Niu teaches the transmission of SSBs in beams and corresponding slots –see Fig. 6 of Niu). Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to modify Niu with the teachings of Zhang, since such a modification would allow the receiver to identify the synchronization signal blocks that has been received (Zhang - p. [0091]).
Regarding claim 2, the combination of Niu and Zhang disclose the UE of claim 1, Niu discloses wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: receive, from an additional UE, beam management information associated with an S-SSB of the first set of S-SSBs or the second set of S-SSBs (Fig. 4, step 408; p. [0043]; UE 101-2 receives a beam management message 408 from UE 101-1 (i.e., additional UE)).
Regarding claim 3, the combination of Niu and Zhang disclose the UE of claim 2, Niu discloses wherein the beam management information comprises an indication of a transmission beam for the UE to use in communications with the additional UE (p. [0043], [0047]; the beam management message, specifically a beam acquisition message indicates an index of the optimal beam).
Regarding claim 8, the combination of Niu and Zhang disclose the UE of claim 1, wherein a single S-SSB burst includes the first set of S-SSBs and the second set of S-SSBs (P. [0041] and Fig. 6).
Regarding claim 10, the combination of Niu and Zhang disclose the UE of claim 1, wherein the first set of S-SSBs comprises multiple S-SSBs associated with different transmission beams (Fig. 6, 642A/512A; p. [0041], the UE transmits a plurality of S-SSBs on a plurality of respective beams) or wherein the second set of S-SSBs comprises multiple S-SSBs associated with different transmission beams (Fig. 6, 642B/512B; p. [0041], the UE transmits a plurality of S-SSBs on a plurality of respective beams).
Regarding claim 11, the combination of Niu and Zhang disclose the UE of claim 1, Zhang discloses wherein each S-SSB of the first set of S-SSBs indicates a respective S-SSB ID via one or more of a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) sequence of a physical sidelink broadcast channel (PSBCH) or one or more reserved bits of the PSBCH (p. [0079]; figure 6 illustrates identification information of an SSB, the identification information may include a plurality of bits identifying broadcast channel (BCH) transmission), or
wherein each S-SSB of the second set of S-SSBs indicates a respective S-SSB ID via one or more of a DMRS sequence of the PSBCH or one or more reserved bits of the PSBCH (p. [0079]; figure 6 illustrates identification information of an SSB, the identification information may include a plurality of bits identifying broadcast channel (BCH) transmission). Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to modify Niu with the teachings of Zhang, since such a modification would allow the receiver to identify the synchronization signal blocks that has been received (Zhang - p. [0091]).
Regarding claim 16, Niu discloses a method of wireless communication performed by a user equipment (UE):
transmitting, within a first slot, a first set of sidelink synchronization signal blocks (S-SSBs) (p. [0041], [0052]; Fig. 6, 642A; the UE 101-2 transmits a plurality of S-SSBs (i.e., first set) on a plurality of respective beams, for example, figure 6 shows the UE transmitting a plurality of S-SSBs on Tx beam 512A in a first slot); and
transmitting, within a second slot, a second set of S-SSBs (p. [0041], [0052];Fig. 6, 642B; the UE 101-2 transmits a plurality of S-SSBs (i.e., second set) on Tx beam 512B in a second slot, see Fig 6).
But, Niu does not particularly disclose each S-SSB of the first set and second set of S-SSBs indicating a respective S-SSB identifier (ID) within the first and second slot.
However, Zhang teaches wherein each S-SSB of the first set and second set of S-SSBs indicating a respective S-SSB identifier (ID) (p. [0076], [0078], [0079], [0080], [0081]; a plurality of SSB is transmitted in a burst, each may be identified by a respective scrambling code, based on cell ID and SSB index (i.e., SSB identifier); note that the combination of references, would result in the transmission of SSBs with respective SSB-ID within the slots, given that Niu teaches the transmission of SSBs in beams and corresponding slots –see Fig. 6 of Niu). Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to modify Niu with the teachings of Zhang, since such a modification would allow the receiver to identify the synchronization signal blocks that has been received (Zhang - p. [0091]).
Regarding claim 17, the combination of Niu and Zhang disclose the method of claim 16, Niu discloses further comprising: receiving, from an additional UE, beam management information associated with an S-SSB of the first set of S-SSBs or the second set of S-SSBs (Fig. 4, step 408; p. [0043]; UE 101-2 receives a beam management message 408 from UE 101-1 (i.e., additional UE)).
Regarding claim 18, the combination of Niu and Zhang disclose the method of claim 17, Niu discloses wherein the beam management information comprises an indication of a transmission beam for the UE to use in communications with the additional UE (p. [0043], [0047]; the beam management message, specifically a beam acquisition message indicates an index of the optimal beam).
Regarding claim 20, Niu discloses a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a set of instructions for wireless communication (p. [0102]), the set of instructions comprising:
one or more instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a user equipment (UE), cause the UE to:
transmit, within a first slot, a first set of sidelink synchronization signal blocks (S-SSBs) (p. [0041], [0052]; Fig. 6, 642A; the UE 101-2 transmits a plurality of S-SSBs (i.e., first set) on a plurality of respective beams, for example, figure 6 shows the UE transmitting a plurality of S-SSBs on Tx beam 512A in a first slot); and
transmit, within a second slot, a second set of S-SSBs (p. [0041], [0052];Fig. 6, 642B; the UE 101-2 transmits a plurality of S-SSBs (i.e., second set) on Tx beam 512B in a second slot, see Fig 6).
But, Niu does not particularly disclose each S-SSB of the first set and second set of S-SSBs indicating a respective S-SSB identifier (ID) within the first and second slot.
However, Zhang teaches wherein each S-SSB of the first set and second set of S-SSBs indicating a respective S-SSB identifier (ID) (p. [0076], [0078], [0079], [0080], [0081]; a plurality of SSB is transmitted in a burst, each may be identified by a respective scrambling code, based on cell ID and SSB index (i.e., SSB identifier); note that the combination of references, would result in the transmission of SSBs with respective SSB-ID within the slots, given that Niu teaches the transmission of SSBs in beams and corresponding slots –see Fig. 6 of Niu). Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to modify Niu with the teachings of Zhang, since such a modification would allow the receiver to identify the synchronization signal blocks that has been received (Zhang - p. [0091]).
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, 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 6-7 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over NIU et al. in views of ZHANG et al. and LIU et al. (US 2023/0300761).
Regarding claim 6, the combination of Niu and Zhang disclose the UE of claim 1, but does not particularly disclose wherein an S-SSB burst that includes the first set of S-SSBs and the second set of S-SSBs comprises an S-SSB that occupies one or more symbols of the first slot and one or more symbols of the second slot.
However, Liu teaches wherein an S-SSB burst that includes the first set of S-SSBs and the second set of S-SSBs comprises an S-SSB that occupies one or more symbols of the first slot and one or more symbols of the second slot (p. [0004]-[0005], [0029], [0030], [0040]; Liu teaches the technology for wireless communication includes a slot of a sidelink communication frame of a user equipment, the slot is configured with a resource element allocation comprising an SL synchronization signal block (S-SSB) occupying a plurality of less than all symbols of the slot, in some examples, the S-SSB is configured across 4 contiguous symbols).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to modify the combination of Niu and Zhang with the teachings of Liu, since such a modification would allow the transmission of the S-SSB burst on the available resources of the slot for sidelink communication.
Regarding claim 7, the combination of Niu and Zhang disclose the UE of claim 1, but does not particularly disclose wherein each S-SSB of the first set of S-SSBs occupies 7 or fewer symbols, or wherein each S-SSB of the second set of S-SSBs occupies 7 or fewer symbols.
However, Liu teaches wherein each S-SSB of the first set of S-SSBs occupies 7 or fewer symbols, or wherein each S-SSB of the second set of S-SSBs occupies 7 or fewer symbols (p. [0004]-[0005], [0029], [0030], [0040]; Liu teaches the technology for wireless communication includes a slot of a sidelink communication frame of a user equipment, the slot is configured with a resource element allocation comprising an SL synchronization signal block (S-SSB) occupying a plurality of less than all symbols of the slot, in some examples, the S-SSB is configured across 4 contiguous symbols).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to modify the combination of Niu and Zhang with the teachings of Liu, since such a modification would allow the transmission of the S-SSB burst on the available resources of the slot for sidelink communication.
Claim 9 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over NIU et al. in views of ZHANG et al. and YE et al. (US 2026/0052551).
Regarding claim 9, the combination of Niu and Zhang disclose the UE of claim 8, but does not particularly disclose wherein the single S-SSB burst comprises one or more of:
one or more automatic gain control (AGC) symbols preceding one or more of the first set of S-SSBs or the second set of S-SSBs, or
one or more gap symbols following one or more of the first set of S-SSBs or the second set of S-SSBs.
However, Ye teaches the single S-SSB burst comprises one or more of:
one or more automatic gain control (AGC) symbols preceding one or more of the first set of S-SSBs or the second set of S-SSBs (Fig. 9; p. [0115], [0116], [0132], [0135]; figure shows SL transmission including S-SSB occasions, the slot include 5 symbols, wherein the first symbol is a AGC symbol), or
one or more gap symbols following one or more of the first set of S-SSBs or the second set of S-SSBs (Fig. 9 shows SL SSB transmission 940C that includes first AGC symbol 930C and GAP symbol 950).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to modify the combination of Niu and Zhang with the teachings of Ye, since these are typical resources included in a slot structure of a radio frame in an SL transmission (p. [0115]-[0116]).
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 4, 5, 12-15, and 19 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. 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 MARISOL FIGUEROA whose telephone number is (571)272-7840. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Thurs 8:00am-4:30pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Jinsong Hu can be reached at 571-272-3965. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/MARISOL FIGUEROA/
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 2643
Prosecution Insights