DETAILED ACTION
In response to communications filed 06/26/2024.
Claims 1-15 are canceled.
Claims 16-37 are added.
Claims 16-37 are pending for examination.
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 .
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of 35 U.S.C. 112(a):
(a) IN GENERAL.—The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor or joint inventor of carrying out the invention.
The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112:
The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention.
New claims 28-37 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), first paragraph, as failing to comply with the written description requirement. The claim(s) contains subject matter which was not described in the specification in such a way as to reasonably convey to one skilled in the relevant art that the inventor or a joint inventor, or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the inventor(s), at the time the application was filed, had possession of the claimed invention.
Line 3 of claim 28 teaches the base station comprising a plurality of “transceivers” however only one transceiver of the base station is disclosed and depicted throughout the instant specification.
Line 2 of claim 33 teaches the terminal comprising a plurality of “transceivers” however only one transceiver of the terminal is disclosed and depicted throughout the instant specification.
Examiner requests support of the multiple transceivers in the instant specification or amendments in a future response to overcome the current rejection. Claims 29-32 and 34-37 are also rejected based on their dependency of rejected claims 28 and 33 respectively.
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 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)(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 1-19, 21-25, 27-31 and 33-36 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Wei et al. (US 2024/0298256 A1) hereinafter “Wei.”
Regarding Claim 6. A method performed by a base station (Wei: paragraphs 0119-0121 & Figs. 1-3, base station or network device) in a communication system (Wei: paragraph 0019 & Figs. 1-3, network), the method comprising:
transmitting, to a terminal (Wei: paragraphs 0119-0121 & Figs. 1-3, terminal device), configuration information on a base station energy saving mode (Wei: paragraph 0125 & Fig. 3, network device sends first power saving information to the terminal device);
transmitting, to the terminal, information indicating a mode switching of the base station energy saving mode (Wei: paragraph 0126 & Fig. 3, indicate first network device enters a power saving state);
identifying that the base station energy saving mode is activated or deactivated at a slot n+k (Wei: paragraphs 00458, 0139, start slot indicating start time point of the first power saving cycle), in case that the information indicating the mode switching of the base station energy saving mode is transmitted in a slot n (Wei: paragraph 0139, said start slot indicating start time point of the power saving cycle); and
performing an energy saving operation in a duration (Wei: paragraph 0136 & Fig. 4, duration of power saving cycle) transmitted via higher layer signaling in case that the base station energy saving mode is activated (Wei: paragraph 0205, first network device communicates with the terminal device based on the first power saving information).
Regarding Claim 17, Wei teaches the respective claim(s) as presented above and further teaches wherein the base station energy saving mode is applied to a downlink operation and not applied to an uplink operation (Wei: paragraph 0131, power saving state or cycle is applied in downlink).
Regarding Claim 18, Wei teaches the respective claim(s) as presented above and further teaches wherein the information indicating the mode switching of the base station energy saving mode indicates an activation or a deactivation of the base station energy saving mode and to which cell the mode switching is applied (Wei: paragraphs 0076 & 0194, configuration information includes related power saving information corresponding to a cell).
Regarding Claim 19, Wei teaches the respective claim(s) as presented above and further teaches wherein the information indicating the mode switching of the base station energy saving mode is cell-specific (Wei: paragraphs 0076 & 0194, configuration information includes related power saving information corresponding to a cell).
Regarding Claim 21, Wei teaches the respective claim(s) as presented above and further teaches transmitting, to another base station (Wei: paragraph 0189 & Fig. 5, second network device) information associated with the base station energy saving mode of the base station (Wei: paragraph 0189 & Fig. 5, first network device sends a power saving information update to the second network device).
Regarding Claim 22, Wei teaches A method performed by a terminal (Wei: paragraphs 0119-0121 & Figs. 1-3, terminal device) in a communication system (Wei: paragraph 0019 & Figs. 1-3, network), the method comprising:
receiving, from a base station (Wei: paragraphs 0119-0121 & Figs. 1-3, base station or network device), configuration information on a base station energy saving mode (Wei: paragraph 0125 & Fig. 3, network device sends first power saving information to the terminal device);
receiving, from the base station, information indicating a mode switching of the base station energy saving mode (Wei: paragraph 0126 & Fig. 3, indicate first network device enters a power saving state);
identifying that the base station energy saving mode is activated or deactivated at a slot n+k based on the information indicating the mode switching of the base station energy saving mode (Wei: paragraphs 00458, 0139, start slot indicating start time point of the first power saving cycle), in case that the information indicating the mode switching of the base station energy saving mode is transmitted in a slot n (Wei: paragraph 0139, said start slot indicating start time point of the power saving cycle); and
performing an energy saving operation in a duration (Wei: paragraph 0136 & Fig. 4, duration of power saving cycle) configured via higher layer signaling in case that the base station energy saving mode is activated (Wei: paragraph 0205, first network device communicates with the terminal device based on the first power saving information).
Regarding Claim 23, Wei teaches the respective claim(s) as presented above and further teaches wherein the base station energy saving mode is applied to a downlink operation and not applied to an uplink operation (Wei: paragraph 0131, power saving state or cycle is applied in downlink).
Regarding Claim 24, Wei teaches the respective claim(s) as presented above and further teaches wherein the information indicating the mode switching of the base station energy saving mode indicates an activation or a deactivation of the base station energy saving mode and to which cell the mode switching is applied (Wei: paragraphs 0076 & 0194, configuration information includes related power saving information corresponding to a cell).
Regarding Claim 25, Wei teaches the respective claim(s) as presented above and further teaches wherein the information indicating the mode switching of the base station energy saving mode is cell-specific (Wei: paragraphs 0076 & 0194, configuration information includes related power saving information corresponding to a cell).
Regarding Claim 27, Wei teaches the respective claim(s) as presented above and further teaches transmitting, to another base station (Wei: paragraph 0189 & Fig. 5, second network device), information associated with the base station energy saving mode of the base station (Wei: paragraph 0189 & Fig. 5, first network device sends a power saving information update to the second network device).
Regarding Claim 28, Wei teaches A base station (Wei: paragraphs 0119-0121 & Figs. 1-3, base station or network device) in a communication system (Wei: paragraph 0019 & Figs. 1-3, network), the base station comprising:
transceivers (Wei: paragraph 0320 & Fig. 11, transceiver); and
a controller (Wei: paragraph 0320 & Fig. 11, processor) configured to:
transmit, to a terminal (Wei: paragraphs 0119-0121 & Figs. 1-3, terminal device), configuration information on a base station energy saving mode (Wei: paragraph 0125 & Fig. 3, network device sends first power saving information to the terminal device),
transmit, to the terminal, information indicating a mode switching of the base station energy saving mode (Wei: paragraph 0126 & Fig. 3, indicate first network device enters a power saving state),
identify that the base station energy saving mode is activated or deactivated at a slot n+k (Wei: paragraphs 00458, 0139, start slot indicating start time point of the first power saving cycle), in case that the information indicating the mode switching of the base station energy saving mode is transmitted in a slot n (Wei: paragraph 0139, said start slot indicating start time point of the power saving cycle), and
perform an energy saving operation in a duration (Wei: paragraph 0136 & Fig. 4, duration of power saving cycle) transmitted via higher layer signaling in case that the base station energy saving mode is activated (Wei: paragraph 0205, first network device communicates with the terminal device based on the first power saving information).
Regarding Claim 29, Wei teaches the respective claim(s) as presented above and further teaches wherein the base station energy saving mode is applied to a downlink operation and not applied to an uplink operation (Wei: paragraph 0131, power saving state or cycle is applied in downlink).
Regarding Claim 30, Wei teaches the respective claim(s) as presented above and further teaches wherein the information indicating the mode switching of the base station energy saving mode indicates an activation or a deactivation of the base station energy saving mode and to which cell the mode switching is applied (Wei: paragraphs 0076 & 0194, configuration information includes related power saving information corresponding to a cell).
Regarding Claim 31, Wei teaches the respective claim(s) as presented above and further teaches wherein the information indicating the mode switching of the base station energy saving mode is cell-specific (Wei: paragraphs 0076 & 0194, configuration information includes related power saving information corresponding to a cell).
Regarding Claim 33, Wei teaches A terminal (Wei: paragraphs 0119-0121 & Figs. 1-3, terminal device) in a communication system (Wei: paragraph 0019 & Figs. 1-3, network), the terminal comprising:
transceivers(Wei: paragraph 0320 & Fig. 11, transceiver); and
a controller (Wei: paragraph 0320 & Fig. 11, processor) configured to:
receive, from a base station, configuration information on a base station energy saving mode (Wei: paragraph 0125 & Fig. 3, network device sends first power saving information to the terminal device);
receive, from the base station, information indicating a mode switching of the base station energy saving mode (Wei: paragraph 0126 & Fig. 3, indicate first network device enters a power saving state);
identify that the base station energy saving mode is activated or deactivated at a slot n+k based on the information indicating the mode switching of the base station energy saving mode (Wei: paragraphs 00458, 0139, start slot indicating start time point of the first power saving cycle), in case that the information indicating the mode switching of the base station energy saving mode is transmitted in a slot n(Wei: paragraph 0139, said start slot indicating start time point of the power saving cycle), and
perform an energy saving operation in a duration (Wei: paragraph 0136 & Fig. 4, duration of power saving cycle) configured via higher layer signaling in case that the base station energy saving mode is activated (Wei: paragraph 0205, first network device communicates with the terminal device based on the first power saving information).
Regarding Claim 34, Wei teaches the respective claim(s) as presented above and further teaches wherein the base station energy saving mode is applied to a downlink operation and not applied to an uplink operation (Wei: paragraph 0131, power saving state or cycle is applied in downlink).
Regarding Claim 35, Wei teaches the respective claim(s) as presented above and further teaches wherein the information indicating the mode switching of the base station energy saving mode indicates an activation or a deactivation of the base station energy saving mode and to which cell the mode switching is applied (Wei: paragraphs 0076 & 0194, configuration information includes related power saving information corresponding to a cell).
Regarding Claim 36, Wei teaches the respective claim(s) as presented above and further teaches wherein the information indicating the mode switching of the base station energy saving mode is cell-specific (Wei: paragraphs 0076 & 0194, configuration information includes related power saving information corresponding to a cell).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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, 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.
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 20, 26, 32 and 27 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Wei in view of Liang et al. (US 2023/0319830 A1) hereinafter “Liang.”
Regarding Claim 20, Wei teaches the respective claim(s) as presented above however fails to explicitly teach receiving, from the terminal, capability information associated with supporting the base station energy saving. However, Liang from an analogous art teaches a user equipment transmitting power saving assistance information including power saving capabilities and/or constraints to communicate with a base station based on the received UE assistance information comprising the reported power saving configuration (Liang: paragraphs 0044, 0163, 0168 & Fig. 9).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Wei to consider capability of the user equipment for communicating in a power saving mode as taught by Liang so as to further optimize resource usage or power saving features based on capabilities of end user devices.
Regarding Claim 26, Wei teaches the respective claim(s) as presented above however fails to explicitly teach receiving, from the terminal, capability information associated with supporting the base station energy saving. However, Liang from an analogous art teaches a user equipment transmitting power saving assistance information including power saving capabilities and/or constraints to communicate with a base station based on the received UE assistance information comprising the reported power saving configuration (Liang: paragraphs 0044, 0163, 0168 & Fig. 9).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Wei to consider capability of the user equipment for communicating in a power saving mode as taught by Liang so as to further optimize resource usage or power saving features based on capabilities of end user devices.
Regarding Claim 32, Wei teaches the respective claim(s) as presented above however fails to explicitly teach receive, from the terminal, capability information associated with supporting the base station energy saving. However, Liang from an analogous art teaches a user equipment transmitting power saving assistance information including power saving capabilities and/or constraints to communicate with a base station based on the received UE assistance information comprising the reported power saving configuration (Liang: paragraphs 0044, 0163, 0168 & Fig. 9).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Wei to consider capability of the user equipment for communicating in a power saving mode as taught by Liang so as to further optimize resource usage or power saving features based on capabilities of end user devices.
Regarding Claim 37, Wei teaches the respective claim(s) as presented above however fails to explicitly teach receiving, from the terminal, capability information associated with supporting the base station energy saving. However, Liang from an analogous art teaches a user equipment transmitting power saving assistance information including power saving capabilities and/or constraints to communicate with a base station based on the received UE assistance information comprising the reported power saving configuration (Liang: paragraphs 0044, 0163, 0168 & Fig. 9).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Wei to consider capability of the user equipment for communicating in a power saving mode as taught by Liang so as to further optimize resource usage or power saving features based on capabilities of end user devices.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Sandhu et al. (US 2024/0357498 A1) teaches a power save mechanism for devices in a neighbor awareness networking (NAN) network wherein a NAN device is able to enter into a power save mode during a window agreed to between the NAN device and a NAN peer device (paragraph 0006).
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to NAJEEB ANSARI whose telephone number is (571)270-5446. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 10am to 2pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, ASAD NAWAZ can be reached at (571) 272-3988. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/NAJEEB ANSARI/Examiner, Art Unit 2463
/ASAD M NAWAZ/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2463
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