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 .
DETAILED ACTION
Claims 31-60 are presented for examination. Claims 1-30 are canceled in the 7/23/2025 preliminary amendment.
Information Disclosure Statement
The IDS filed on 8/6/2024, 8/29/2024, 11/26/2024, 1/8/2025 and 11/5/2025 are considered.
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.
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)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 31, 34-39, 42-47, 50-55 and 58-60 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Awadin et al (Awadin), US 2023/0188261.
As per claim 31, Awadin teaches the invention including a user equipment (UE) (pp. 0134), comprising:
One or more memories (pp. 0134); and
One or more processors coupled with the one or more memories (pp. 0134-, 137) and configured to cause the UE to:
Receive control signaling that indicates a configuration for repeating transmissions of a first random access message of a random access procedure (pp. 0302-0304);
Determine a set of physical random access channel (PRACH) occasions for a quantity of repetitions of the first random access message in accordance with the configuration, wherein respective PRACH occasions of the set of PRACH occasions are non-overlapping in time (pp. 0213, 0290-0292, 0298-0299); and
Transmit the quantity of repetition of the first random access message using a same spatial filter via the set of PRACH occasions (pp. 0297-0298).
As per claim 34, Awadin teaches the invention as claimed in claim 31. Awadin further teaches wherein the configuration indicates the quantity of repetitions of the first random access message (pp. 0290-0292, 0298-0299, 0302-0304).
As per claim 35, Awadin teaches the invention as claimed in claim 31. Awadin further teaches wherein the set of PRACH occasions are associated with one or more synchronization signal block indexes (pp. 0173, 0288-0289, 0292-0294).
As per claim 36, Awadin teaches the invention as claimed in claim 31. Awadin further teaches wherein the random access procedure comprises a contention free four-step random access procedure (pp. 0169, 0173-0174).
As per claim 37, Awadin teaches the invention as claimed in claim 31. Awadin further teaches wherein the first random access message comprises a PRACH preamble (pp. 0297, 0305).
As per claim 38, Awadin teaches the invention as claimed in claim 31. Awadin further teaches wherein the control signaling comprises radio resource control signaling (pp. 0301-0302).
As per claim 39, Awadin teaches the invention including a network entity (pp. 0161), comprising:
One or more memories (pp. 0161, 0163); and
One or more processor coupled with the one or more memories (pp. 0161-0163) and configured to cause the network entity to:
Transmit control signaling that indicates a configuration for repeating transmissions of a first random access message of a random access procedure (pp. 0302-0304); and
Receive a quantity of repetition of the first random access message using a same spatial filter via the set of PRACH occasions (pp. 0297-0298) that are in accordance with the configuration, wherein respective PRACH occasions of the set of PRACH occasions are non-overlapping in time (pp. 0213, 0290-0292, 0298-0299).
As per claim 42, Awadin teaches the invention as claimed in claim 39. Awadin further teaches wherein the configuration indicates the quantity of repetitions of the first random access message (pp. 0290-0292, 0298-0299, 0302-0304).
As per claim 43, Awadin teaches the invention as claimed in claim 39. Awadin further teaches wherein the set of PRACH occasions are associated with one or more synchronization signal block indexes (pp. 0173, 0288-0289, 0292-0294).
As per claim 44, Awadin teaches the invention as claimed in claim 39. Awadin further teaches wherein the random access procedure comprises a contention free four-step random access procedure (pp. 0169, 0173-0174).
As per claim 45, Awadin teaches the invention as claimed in claim 39. Awadin further teaches wherein the first random access message comprises a PRACH preamble (pp. 0297, 0305).
As per claim 46, Awadin teaches the invention as claimed in claim 39. Awadin further teaches wherein the control signaling comprises radio resource control signaling (pp. 0301-0302).
As per claim 47, Awadin teaches the invention including a method for wireless communications at a user equipment (UE), comprising:
Receiving control signaling that indicates a configuration for repeating transmissions of a first random access message of a random access procedure (pp. 0302-0304);
Determining a set of physical random access channel (PRACH) occasions for a quantity of repetitions of the first random access message in accordance with the configuration, wherein respective PRACH occasions of the set of PRACH occasions are non-overlapping in time (pp. 0213, 0290-0292, 0298-0299); and
Transmitting the quantity of repetition of the first random access message using a same spatial filter via the set of PRACH occasions (pp. 0297-0298).
As per claim 50, Awadin teaches the invention as claimed in claim 47. Awadin further teaches wherein the configuration indicates the quantity of repetitions of the first random access message (pp. 0290-0292, 0298-0299, 0302-0304).
As per claim 51, Awadin teaches the invention as claimed in claim 47. Awadin further teaches wherein the set of PRACH occasions are associated with one or more synchronization signal block indexes (pp. 0173, 0288-0289, 0292-0294).
As per claim 52, Awadin teaches the invention as claimed in claim 47. Awadin further teaches wherein the random access procedure comprises a contention free four-step random access procedure (pp. 0169, 0173-0174).
As per claim 53, Awadin teaches the invention as claimed in claim 47. Awadin further teaches wherein the first random access message comprises a PRACH preamble (pp. 0297, 0305).
As per claim 54, Awadin teaches the invention as claimed in claim 47. Awadin further teaches wherein the control signaling comprises radio resource control signaling (pp. 0301-0302).
As per claim 55, Awadin teaches the invention including a method for wireless communications at a network entity, comprising:
Transmitting control signaling that indicates a configuration for repeating transmissions of a first random access message of a random access procedure (pp. 0302-0304); and
Receiving a quantity of repetition of the first random access message using a same spatial filter via the set of PRACH occasions (pp. 0297-0298) that are in accordance with the configuration, wherein respective PRACH occasions of the set of PRACH occasions are non-overlapping in time (pp. 0213, 0290-0292, 0298-0299).
As per claim 58, Awadin teaches the invention as claimed in claim 55. Awadin further teaches wherein the configuration indicates the quantity of repetitions of the first random access message (pp. 0290-0292, 0298-0299, 0302-0304).
As per claim 59, Awadin teaches the invention as claimed in claim 55. Awadin further teaches wherein the set of PRACH occasions are associated with one or more synchronization signal block indexes (pp. 0173, 0288-0289, 0292-0294).
As per claim 60, Awadin teaches the invention as claimed in claim 55. Awadin further teaches wherein the random access procedure comprises a contention free four-step random access procedure (pp. 0169, 0173-0174).
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.
Claim(s) 32-33, 40-41, 48-49 and 56-57 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Awadin et al (Awadin), US 2023/0188261, in view of MolavianJazi et al, US 2021/0058971.
As per claim 32, Awadin teaches the invention as claimed in claim 31. Awadin does not teach wherein a first valid random access occasion of the set of PRACH occasions is determined in accordance with an ordering of valid PRACH occasions within a time period, the ordering comprising:
First, in increasing order of frequency resource index for frequency multiplexed PRACH occasions, and
Second, in increasing order of a time resource index for time multiplexed PRACH occasions.
MolavianJazi teaches to determine a first valid random access occasion of the set of PRACH occasions in accordance with an ordering of valid PRACH occasions with a time period (pp. 0087-0088), the ordering comprising: first, in increasing order of frequency resource index for frequency multiplexed PRACH occasions (pp. 0095, 0111), and second, in increasing order of a time resource index for time multiplexed PRACH occasions (pp. 0092, 0111). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was filed to combine the teaching of Awadin and MolavianJazi and identify valid PRACH occasions and map the all actually transmitted SSBs to the valid PRACH occasions accordingly.
As per claim 33, Awadin teaches the invention as claimed in claim 31. Awadin does not teach wherein the set of PRACH occasions comprises a quantity of valid PRACH occasions, and wherein the quantity of valid PRACH occasions is equal to the quantity of repetitions. MolavianJazi teaches he set of PRACH occasions comprises a quantity of valid PRACH occasions (pp. 0087-0088, 0092), and wherein the quantity of valid PRACH occasions is equal to the quantity of repetitions (pp. 0088). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was filed to combine the teaching of Awadin and MolavianJazi and identify valid PRACH occasions and map the all actually transmitted SSBs to the valid PRACH occasions accordingly.
As per claim 40, Awadin teaches the invention as claimed in claim 39. Awadin does not teach wherein a first valid random access occasion of the set of PRACH occasions is determined in accordance with an ordering of valid PRACH occasions within a time period, the ordering comprising:
First, in increasing order of frequency resource index for frequency multiplexed PRACH occasions, and
Second, in increasing order of a time resource index for time multiplexed PRACH occasions.
MolavianJazi teaches to determine a first valid random access occasion of the set of PRACH occasions in accordance with an ordering of valid PRACH occasions with a time period (pp. 0087-0088), the ordering comprising: first, in increasing order of frequency resource index for frequency multiplexed PRACH occasions (pp. 0095, 0111), and second, in increasing order of a time resource index for time multiplexed PRACH occasions (pp. 0092, 0111). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was filed to combine the teaching of Awadin and MolavianJazi and identify valid PRACH occasions and map the all actually transmitted SSBs to the valid PRACH occasions accordingly.
As per claim 41, Awadin teaches the invention as claimed in claim 39. Awadin does not teach wherein the set of PRACH occasions comprises a quantity of valid PRACH occasions, and wherein the quantity of valid PRACH occasions is equal to the quantity of repetitions. MolavianJazi teaches he set of PRACH occasions comprises a quantity of valid PRACH occasions (pp. 0087-0088, 0092), and wherein the quantity of valid PRACH occasions is equal to the quantity of repetitions (pp. 0088). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was filed to combine the teaching of Awadin and MolavianJazi and identify valid PRACH occasions and map the all actually transmitted SSBs to the valid PRACH occasions accordingly.
As per claim 48, Awadin teaches the invention as claimed in claim 47. Awadin does not teach wherein a first valid random access occasion of the set of PRACH occasions is determined in accordance with an ordering of valid PRACH occasions within a time period, the ordering comprising:
First, in increasing order of frequency resource index for frequency multiplexed PRACH occasions, and
Second, in increasing order of a time resource index for time multiplexed PRACH occasions.
MolavianJazi teaches to determine a first valid random access occasion of the set of PRACH occasions in accordance with an ordering of valid PRACH occasions with a time period (pp. 0087-0088), the ordering comprising: first, in increasing order of frequency resource index for frequency multiplexed PRACH occasions (pp. 0095, 0111), and second, in increasing order of a time resource index for time multiplexed PRACH occasions (pp. 0092, 0111). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was filed to combine the teaching of Awadin and MolavianJazi and identify valid PRACH occasions and map the all actually transmitted SSBs to the valid PRACH occasions accordingly.
As per claim 49, Awadin teaches the invention as claimed in claim 47. Awadin does not teach wherein the set of PRACH occasions comprises a quantity of valid PRACH occasions, and wherein the quantity of valid PRACH occasions is equal to the quantity of repetitions. MolavianJazi teaches he set of PRACH occasions comprises a quantity of valid PRACH occasions (pp. 0087-0088, 0092), and wherein the quantity of valid PRACH occasions is equal to the quantity of repetitions (pp. 0088). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was filed to combine the teaching of Awadin and MolavianJazi and identify valid PRACH occasions and map the all actually transmitted SSBs to the valid PRACH occasions accordingly.
As per claim 56, Awadin teaches the invention as claimed in claim 55. Awadin does not teach wherein a first valid random access occasion of the set of PRACH occasions is determined in accordance with an ordering of valid PRACH occasions within a time period, the ordering comprising:
First, in increasing order of frequency resource index for frequency multiplexed PRACH occasions, and
Second, in increasing order of a time resource index for time multiplexed PRACH occasions.
MolavianJazi teaches to determine a first valid random access occasion of the set of PRACH occasions in accordance with an ordering of valid PRACH occasions with a time period (pp. 0087-0088), the ordering comprising: first, in increasing order of frequency resource index for frequency multiplexed PRACH occasions (pp. 0095, 0111), and second, in increasing order of a time resource index for time multiplexed PRACH occasions (pp. 0092, 0111). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was filed to combine the teaching of Awadin and MolavianJazi and identify valid PRACH occasions and map the all actually transmitted SSBs to the valid PRACH occasions accordingly.
As per claim 57, Awadin teaches the invention as claimed in claim 55. Awadin does not teach wherein the set of PRACH occasions comprises a quantity of valid PRACH occasions, and wherein the quantity of valid PRACH occasions is equal to the quantity of repetitions. MolavianJazi teaches he set of PRACH occasions comprises a quantity of valid PRACH occasions (pp. 0087-0088, 0092), and wherein the quantity of valid PRACH occasions is equal to the quantity of repetitions (pp. 0088). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was filed to combine the teaching of Awadin and MolavianJazi and identify valid PRACH occasions and map the all actually transmitted SSBs to the valid PRACH occasions accordingly.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Ly et al, US 2025/0048433
Ly et al, US 2025/0048420
Xiao et al, US 2025/0039799
Elkotby et al, US 2024/0215067
Ali et al, US 2023/0371081
Matsumura et al, WO2023/135755A1
Li et al, US 2023/0199859
Lin et al, US 2023/0180300
Li et al, US 2023/0164845
Park, US 2023/0007702
Khoshnevisan et al, US 2022/0353906
Rastegardoost et al, WO2022/133357A1
Rastegardoost et al, WO2121/231811A1
MolavianJazi et al, US 2022/0210844
Svedman et al, US 2021/0352734
Li et al, US 2021/0014694
Li et al, US 2019/0387546
Li et al, US 2019/0132882
A shortened statutory period for reply to this Office action is set to expire Three MONTHS from the mailing date of this action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to KENNY S LIN whose telephone number is (571) 272-3968.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Noel Beharry can be reached on 571-270-5630. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is (571) 273-8300.
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KENNY S. LIN
Examiner
Art Unit 2416
/Kenny S Lin/
Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2416
July 27, 2026
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