DETAILED ACTION
This action is responsive to the communications filed on 12/9/2024 and the preliminary claim amendments filed on 1/3/2025.
Currently, claims 1-20 are pending.
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 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
Claims 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Section 3a) With regards to independent claim 1, independent claim 1 states (with emphasis added):
1. A method, comprising:
generating configuration information comprising a device address of one or more devices and sequence configuration information,
wherein the sequence configuration information comprises first quantities [i.e. plural] of cyclic shift positions [i.e. plural] that correspond to the one or more devices,
wherein the first quantities [i.e. plural] of cyclic shift positions [i.e. plural] are configured to cyclically shift a first sequence [i.e. singular] in a sequence set [i.e. plural],
wherein a periodic auto-correlation side lobe amplitude of any second sequence [i.e. singular] in the sequence set is 0, and
wherein second quantities that are of the first quantities of cyclic shift positions and that correspond to first portions of the one or more devices completing different first services in the one or more devices are different; and
sending the configuration information.
Section 3a1, context)
Where the emphasized limitation (i.e. “wherein the first quantities [i.e. plural] of cyclic shift positions [i.e. plural] are configured to cyclically shift a first sequence [i.e. singular] in a sequence set [i.e. plural], ), first requires the existence of multiple base/root sequences in order to define the “sequence set” (note the mathematically a ‘set’ typically requires at least two elements), which is further verified by the stated “first sequence” and “second sequence” in independent claim 1.
Furthermore, the emphasized limitation (i.e. “wherein the first quantities [i.e. plural] of cyclic shift positions [i.e. plural] are configured to cyclically shift a first sequence [i.e. singular] in a sequence set [i.e. plural]), requires multiple cyclic shift positions (of the first quantities) to be applied to only one (i.e. the first) base/root sequence within the sequence set.
Which so is consistent with the merits of the instant Detailed Specific, e.g. see paragraph [0150] which states the use of “two Ipatov sequences” and “two different Ipatov sequences”. Where instant figures 10a shows different cyclic shift values being applied to the same/first Ipatov sequence.
Section 3a2, rejection using the context of section 3a1, supra)
However, the emphasized limitation (i.e. “wherein a periodic auto-correlation side lobe amplitude of any second sequence in the sequence set is 0”), requires the property of the ‘periodic auto/self-correlation side lobe amplitude being equal to zero’ to only apply to the “any second sequence in the sequence set”. In other words, the ‘first sequence in the sequence set’ is excluded from having the property of have zero amplitude auto/self-correlation side lobes, which contradicts the merits of the instant Detailed Description since the both the first and second sequences are two different Ipatov sequences (see [0150+0191], and TABLE 1 within the instant specification). Additionally, instant figure 8+S101 (as well as the original claim 1) which stated that ‘any (i.e. all) sequence within the sequence set’ will have the ‘periodic auto-correlation side lobe amplitude of zero/0’.
Furthermore, the Examiner notes that by technical/engineering definition any valid Ipatov sequence will have the property of zero amplitude periodic auto/self-correlation side lobes (which is not limited to only Ipatov sequence; e.g. CAZAC or Zaddoff Chu sequences).
Where the emphasized limitations (“wherein a periodic auto-correlation side lobe amplitude of any second sequence in the sequence set is 0”, within the context addressed above) renders the scope of the claim 1 to be indefinite with regards to the knowledge and abilities of a person having ordinary skill in the art (before the effective filing date of the claimed invention) since said limitations contradict the Detailed Description of the instant Specification.
Additionally but not exclusively, the contradiction between Detailed Description of the instant specification and the cited/emphasized limitations above also fail(s) the threshold requirements for clarity and precision as pursuant to MPEP 2173.02.II, which also renders the scope of claim 1 to be indefinite with regards to the knowledge and abilities of a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention (as pursuant to MPEP 2173.02.II).
Independent claims 6 and 12 each recited similar language as independent claim 1, and thus independent claims 6 and 12 are each rejected for having indefinite claim scope for substantially similar rationale as claim 1 (addressed supra).
Dependent claims 2-5, 7-11, and 13-20 each fail to mitigate the indefinite scope of independent parent claim 1, 6, and/or 12 (as addressed above) and thus are each rejected for similar rationale as independent/parent claim 1, 6, and/or 12 (as applicable), above.
Section 3b) With regards to independent claim 1, independent claim 1 states (with emphasis added):
1. A method, comprising:
generating configuration information comprising a device address of one or more devices and sequence configuration information,
wherein the sequence configuration information comprises first quantities of cyclic shift positions that correspond to the one or more devices,
wherein the first quantities of cyclic shift positions are configured to cyclically shift a first sequence in a sequence set,
wherein a periodic auto-correlation side lobe amplitude of any second sequence in the sequence set is 0, and
wherein second quantities that are of the first quantities of cyclic shift positions and that correspond to first portions [plural] of the one or more devices completing different first services in the one or more devices are different; and
sending the configuration information.
Where the emphasized limitation (i.e. wherein second quantities that are of the first quantities of cyclic shift positions and that correspond to first portions of the one or more devices completing different first services in the one or more devices are different) is narrative in form; and fails to meet the threshold requirements for clarity and precision (as pursuant to MPEP 2173.02.II) for defining clear “boundaries of the subject matter for which protection is sought” (as pursuant to MPEP 2173.01) as well as “clearly and precisely define the metes and bounds of the claimed invention” (as pursuant to MPEP 2173.02) in regards to what technical/engineering meaning/step/function is/are actually represented/required by the emphasized limitation of claim 1 (with respect to the knowledge and abilities of a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention).
Independent claims 6 and 12 each recited similar language as independent claim 1, and thus independent claims 6 and 12 are each rejected for having indefinite claim scope for substantially similar rationale as claim 1 (addressed supra).
Dependent claims 2-5, 7-11, and 13-20 each fail to mitigate the indefinite scope of independent parent claim 1, 6, and/or 12 (as addressed above) and thus are each rejected for similar rationale as independent/parent claim 1, 6, and/or 12 (as applicable), above.
Allowable Subject Matter
No allowable subject matter will be indicated until the above 112(b) issues are clarified/resolved (either by amendments or arguments).
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure and are cited in the attached PTO-892 form.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to James M. Perez, telephone number is (571)270-3231. The examiner can normally be reached Monday through Friday: 10am to 6pm EST.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, David C. Payne can be reached on (571)272-3024. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/JAMES M PEREZ/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2635 3/13/2026