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 .
Election/Restrictions
Applicant’s election without traverse of group I of claims 1 – 10 (and similarly, new claims 31 – 50) in the reply filed on 10th July 2026 is acknowledged.
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Claim Objections
Claims 10, 40 and 50 are objected to because of the following informalities:
Please amend “comprises or a system information block” to -- comprises of a system information block --.
Appropriate correction is required.
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Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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)(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, 6, 7, 8, 10, 31, 36, 37, 38, 40, 41, 46, 47, 48 and 50 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Gao et al (US 2026/0197875 A1).
Claim 1 (similarly Claims 31 and 41). Gao shows a user equipment (UE) (figs. 1, 4A/B/C, 5, 6, 10 and 14: UE), comprising: one or more memories storing processor-executable code (fig. 14: memory 1420); and one or more processors coupled with the one or more memories (fig. 14: processor 1410) and individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the UE to: receive first control signaling indicating a first set of random access occasions corresponding to a set of uplink resources, flexible resources, or both, and a second set of random access occasions corresponding to a set of uplink subband resources associated with subband full duplex symbols ([0053]: allow simultaneous DL and UL transmission on different physical resource blocks (PRBs)/subbands within an unpaired wideband NR cell, which may be called as a subband non-overlapping full duplex (SBFD); [0067]: the network device may use a flexible full duplex network or a dynamic TDD network… the terminal device may support FDU, and the terminal device may be a FDU-aware UE. In the present disclosure, the term “FDU-aware UE” may be used interchangeable with any one of the terms “mixed PRACH mode aware UE”, “mixed PRACH format aware UE”, “mixed PRACH capable UE”, “UE with mixed PRACH capability”, “UE with mix PRACH mode capability”, or the like; [0079]: the SSB mapping may include a first mapping between a first set of ROs and a first set of SSBs… where the first set of ROs are associated with (or determined by) the first PRACH configuration index); perform a first mapping of a first set of synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) of a plurality of SSBs to the first set of random access occasions (see above); receive second control signaling indicating a second mapping of a second set of SSBs of the plurality of SSBs to the second set of random access occasions ([0079]: a second mapping between a second set of ROs and a second set of SSBs… the second set of ROs are associated with (or determined by) the second PRACH configuration index); and transmit a random access message via a first random access occasion of the first set of random access occasions or the second set of random access occasions based at least in part on the first mapping and the second mapping ([0080] – [0081]: the number of ROs in the first set of ROs may be represented as N1, the number of SSBs in the first set of SSBs may be represented as N2, and N1≥N2… the number of ROs in the second set of ROs may be represented as N3, the number of SSBs in the second set of SSBs may be represented as N4, and N3≥N4… the terminal device selects one PRACH configuration index from the at least two PRACH configuration indexes; [0088]: if the terminal device selects the second PRACH configuration index at and the measurement result indicates an SSB-RSRP of a specific SSB, then the terminal device may determine the specific RO based on the first mapping indicated by the RACH configuration information… there is a mapping between the specific SSB and the specific RO, the terminal device can transmit the RACH preamble in the specific RO; [0090]: the terminal device may transmit the legacy/default preamble associated with the legacy/default PRACH configuration index to the network device).
Claim 6 (similarly claims 36 and 46). Gao shows the UE of claim 1 ([0129]: the terminal device is a mixed PRACH capable terminal or a flexible duplexing (FDU)-aware terminal), wherein the first set of random access occasions correspond to uplink or flexible symbols (figs. 7A/7B and 8A/8B: symbol sets; [0072]: the at least two PRACH configuration indexes may indicate two or more PRACH formats in the same time-frequency resource (same PRBs, same slots/symbols)), and the second set of random access occasions correspond to subband full duplex symbols configured on downlink symbols or flexible symbols (see above; [0053]: allow simultaneous DL and UL transmission on different physical resource blocks (PRBs)/subbands within an unpaired wideband NR cell, which may be called as a subband non-overlapping full duplex (SBFD)… the duplexing scheme of SBFD may also be referred to as a cross-division duplexing (xDD) scheme or a Flexible Duplexing (FDU) scheme).
Claim 7 (similarly claims 37 and 47). Gao shows the UE of claim 1, wherein, to receive the first control signaling, the one or more processors are individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the UE to: receive a first control message indicating the first set of random access occasions ([0116]: the terminal device receives the RACH configuration information via a radio resource control (RRC) message, where the RACH configuration information indicates the at least two PRACH configuration indexes; [0127]: the at least two RACH configuration indexes comprise a first RACH configuration index associated with a first PRACH preamble and a second RACH configuration index associated with a second PRACH preamble, and the RACH configuration information further indicates a first mapping between a first set of random access occasions (ROs) of the first PRACH preamble and a first set of synchronization signal blocks (SSBs), and a second mapping between a second set of ROs of the second PRACH preamble and a second set of SSBs); and receive second control signaling indicating the second set of random access occasions (see above).
Claim 8 (similarly claims 38 and 48). Gao shows the UE of claim 1, wherein, to receive the first control signaling, the one or more processors are individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the UE to: receive a first control message comprising the first set of random access occasions and the second set of random access occasions ([0116]: the terminal device receives the RACH configuration information via a radio resource control (RRC) message, where the RACH configuration information indicates the at least two PRACH configuration indexes; [0127]: the at least two RACH configuration indexes comprise a first RACH configuration index associated with a first PRACH preamble and a second RACH configuration index associated with a second PRACH preamble, and the RACH configuration information further indicates a first mapping between a first set of random access occasions (ROs) of the first PRACH preamble and a first set of synchronization signal blocks (SSBs), and a second mapping between a second set of ROs of the second PRACH preamble and a second set of SSBs).
Claim 10 (similarly claims 40 and 50). Gao shows the UE of claim 1, wherein the second control signaling comprises of a system information block indicating the second mapping of the second set of SSBs of the plurality of SSBs to the second set of random access occasions ([0144]: the at least two RACH configuration indexes comprise a first RACH configuration index associated with a first PRACH preamble and a second RACH configuration index associated with a second PRACH preamble, and the RACH configuration information further indicates a first mapping between a first set of random access occasions (ROs) of the first PRACH preamble and a first set of synchronization signal blocks (SSBs), and a second mapping between a second set of ROs of the second PRACH preamble and a second set of SSBs).
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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.
The factual inquiries 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.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
Claims 2, 4, 5, 9, 32, 34, 35, 39, 42, 44, 45 and 49 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Gao et al in view of Khan Beigi et al (US 2025/0344170 A1, “Khan”).
Claim 2 (similarly claims 32 and 42). Gao shows the UE of claim 1; Gao does not expressly describe wherein the first set of SSBs associated with the first set of random access occasions according to the first mapping correspond to a first set of consecutive SSB indices in ascending order, and the second set of SSBs associated with the second set of random access occasions according to the second mapping correspond to a second set of SSB indices.Khan shows features of: a first set of SSBs associated with a first set of random access occasions according to a first mapping correspond to a first set of consecutive SSB indices in ascending order (fig. 5 and [0140]: an SSB (e.g. SSB index) may be In an mapped to N=4 configured consecutive ROs (e.g. each SSB may be associated with four ROs); [0153]: the bits in the bitmap may correspond to the SSBs, for example in the increasing order of SSB indexes), and a second set of SSBs associated with a second set of random access occasions according to a second mapping correspond to a second set of SSB indices ([0145]: there may be SSB-RO mapping wherein a WTRU may determine ROs (e.g. based on configured second set of RO configurations) and/or SSB-RO mapping for estimation SSBs, for example based on the configured estimation SSBs and/or the received indication on the subset of allowed estimation SSBs).It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to implement the features as taught by Khan in the UE of Gao to facilitate provides precise, flexible resource allocation and pattern mapping in wireless networks like LTE and 5G.
Claim 4 (similarly claims 34 and 44). Gao shows the UE of claim 1; Gao does not expressly describe wherein the second set of SSBs correspond to a set of prioritized beams of a plurality of candidate beams, each of the set of prioritized beams associated with a respective spatial direction based at least in part on traffic, UE location, channel quality, or any combination thereof.Khan teaches feature of: a second set of SSBs correspond to a set of prioritized beams of a plurality of candidate beams ([0114]: one or more of beam prediction in time, spatial domain for overhead and latency reduction, and/or beam selection accuracy improvement, etc.), each of the set of prioritized beams associated with a respective spatial direction ([0023]: beamforming may be used to transmit and/or receive signals in desired spatial directions) based at least in part on traffic ([0143]: traffic control and/or power saving, for example as a gNB may not activate and/or use all UL beams), UE location ([0041]: the WTRU may acquire location information by way of any suitable location-determination method), channel quality ([0171]: for a system with S transmitted SSB beams for example, the WTRU may use the measured parameters based on one or more of the first, second, till S-1-th SSBs and/or may predict the quality parameters for the S-th SSB), or any combination thereof (see above).It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to apply the feature as taught by Khan in the second set of SSBs of Gao to facilitate provides precise, flexible resource allocation and pattern mapping in wireless networks like LTE and 5G.
Claim 5 (similarly claims 35 and 45). Gao shows the UE of claim 1; Gao does not expressly describe wherein a set of beams corresponding to the second set of SSBs are based at least in part on a predicted mobility of the UE, historic beam failure data corresponding to the UE, a direction of each beam of the set of beams, or any combination thereof.Khan shows feature of: a set of beams corresponding to the second set of SSBs are based at least in part on a predicted mobility of the UE ([0147]: the WTRU may receive, determine, be configured, and/or indicated with one or more configuration information to be used for SSB beam predictions and/or determination, for example in spatial domain and/or time domain (e.g. based on AIML systems)), historic beam failure data corresponding to the UE (n/a), a direction of each beam of the set of beams ([0121]: each RS resource or beam or beam-pair may be associated with a transmission from a beam of specific beam parameters (e.g. beam direction and beamwidth)), or any combination thereof (see above).It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to implement the feature as taught by Khan in the second set of SSBs of Gao to facilitate provides precise, flexible resource allocation and pattern mapping in wireless networks like LTE and 5G.
Claim 9 (similarly claims 39 and 49). Gao shows the UE of claim 1; Gao does not expressly describe wherein the second control signaling comprises a radio resource control message comprising a bitmap indicating the second set of SSBs mapped to the second set of random access occasions according to the second mapping.Khan shows feature of a radio resource control message comprising a bitmap indicating a second set of SSBs mapped to a second set of random access occasions according to a second mapping ([0187]: a size of the bitmap may be equal to the total number of SSB indexes wherein the total number of SSB indexes in FR1 may be 8 SSBs and/or the total number of SSB indexes in FR2 may be 64 SSBs; [0190]: if a first bit in the bitmap is equal to a first value, the WTRU may determine that the SSB with the SSB index associated to the first bit may belong to set B; [0196]: a WTRU may receive an indication on (e.g. set of transmitted SSBs) a set B (e.g. ssb-PositionsInBurst-SetB), a set of estimation SSBs, and/or a set A SSB beams (ssb-PositionsInBurst-SetA)… a second set of ROs (type-2 ROs) that may be associated with the estimation SSBs; [0205]: the first and/or second sets of RACH configurations may include configuration information including one o more of RO's time configuration, RO’s frequency configuration, SSB-to-RO mapping, power ramping parameter(s), and/or RACH repetition parameter(s), etc.).It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to implement the bitmap feature as taught by Khan in the radio resource control message of Gao to facilitate provides precise, flexible resource allocation and pattern mapping in wireless networks like LTE and 5G.
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Claims 3, 33 and 43 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Gao et al in view of Kong et al (US 2025/0311013 A1).
Claim 3 (similarly claims 33 and 43). Gao shows the UE of claim 1; Gao does not expressly describe wherein the first set of SSBs associated with the first set of random access occasions according to the first mapping correspond to a first set of consecutive SSB indices in descending order, and the second set of SSBs associated with the second set of SSBs according to the second mapping correspond to a second set of SSB indices.Kong shows features of: a first set of SSBs associated with a first set of random access occasions according to a first mapping correspond to a first set of consecutive SSB indices in descending order ([0122]: in a synchronization signal set in a same synchronization signal periodicity, index values of ROs corresponding to synchronization signals may successively increase in ascending or descending order of index values of the corresponding synchronization signals, and the plurality of synchronization signals are synchronization signals with consecutive index values in the synchronization signal set), and a second set of SSBs associated with a second set of SSBs according to a second mapping correspond to a second set of SSB indices (see above).It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to implement the features as taught by Kong in the first and second sets of SSBs of Gao to minimize collisions and facilitate beam associations by directing a base station to link uplink bursts to the correct downlink SSB beam.
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Conclusion
The prior art made of record is considered pertinent to applicant’s disclosure.
1. Lin et al, US 2025/0141530 A1: a terminal device that receive a SS/PBCH block, a MIB including subCarrierSpacingCommon, and a Type0-PDCCH; monitoring occasions of the Type0-PDCCH are associated with the SS/PBCH block; and if subCarrierSpacingCommon indicates ‘scs15or60’, Q=32 is assumed for quasi co-location of reception of the SS/PBCH block, and Q=16 is assumed for quasi co-location of reception of the Type0-PDCCH.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Xavier Szewai Wong whose telephone number is 571.270.1780. The examiner can normally be reached on 11:30 am - 8:30 pm Mon to Fri.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Jeffrey Rutkowski can be reached on 571.270.1215. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/XAVIER S WONG/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2415 9th August 2026
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