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 .
The instant office action is in response to communication filed on 12/19/2024.
Claims 1-19 are pending.
The instant application is a continuation of USPAT 12238581 (18/536441), US PAT 11902834 (17/726616) and US PAT 11337114 (16/628890).
The IDS(s) submitted on 12/19/2024 has been considered.
The examiner attempted to reach out to Applicant’s representative who is the attorney of record, Christophr Mitchell (54946) but was unreachable due to incorrect contact information in the system. Examiner then approached on 09/28/2026 a colleague of Christopher Mitchell, Krishna Kalidindi and Mr. Kalidindi indicated he will relay the message to Mr. Mitchell or appropriate attorney. However, there was no follow-up response from Mr. Kalindi and hence the instant office action with double patenting rejection of all claims with all claims of patented parent claims.
Internet Communications
Applicant is encouraged to submit a written authorization for Internet communications (PTO/SB/439, http://www.uspto.gov/sites/default/files/documents/sb0439.pdf) in the instant patent application to authorize the examiner to communicate with the applicant via email. The authorization will allow the examiner to better practice compact prosecution. The written authorization can be submitted via one of the following methods only: (1) Central Fax which can be found in the Conclusion section of this Office action; (2) regular postal mail; (3) EFS WEB; or (4) the service window on the Alexandria campus. EFS web is the recommended way to submit the form since this allows the form to be entered into the file wrapper within the same day (system dependent). Written authorization submitted via other methods, such as direct fax to the examiner or email, will not be accepted. See MPEP § 502.03.
Double Patenting
The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on nonstatutory double patenting provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with the examined application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. See MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP § 2146 et seq. for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b).
The filing of a terminal disclaimer by itself is not a complete reply to a nonstatutory double patenting (NSDP) rejection. A complete reply requires that the terminal disclaimer be accompanied by a reply requesting reconsideration of the prior Office action. Even where the NSDP rejection is provisional the reply must be complete. See MPEP § 804, subsection I.B.1. For a reply to a non-final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.111(a). For a reply to final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.113(c). A request for reconsideration while not provided for in 37 CFR 1.113(c) may be filed after final for consideration. See MPEP §§ 706.07(e) and 714.13.
The USPTO Internet website contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms. The actual filing date of the application in which the form is filed determines what form (e.g., PTO/SB/25, PTO/SB/26, PTO/AIA /25, or PTO/AIA /26) should be used. A web-based eTerminal Disclaimer may be filled out completely online using web-screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets all requirements is auto-processed and approved immediately upon submission. For more information about eTerminal Disclaimers, refer to www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/applying-online/eterminal-disclaimer.
Claims 1-19 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-21 of U.S. Patent No.11337114. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because each of the pending independent claims are mere rearrangements of the limitations of the corresponding patented independent claims.
Pending Claims of Instant Application
Patented Claims 1-21 of US PAT 11337114
1. A method performed enabling communication of data in a wireless network between a remote radio unit and a central baseband unit, the method comprising:
1. A method performed by a transition device for enabling communication of data between a remote radio unit and a central baseband unit in a wireless network, the method comprising:
detecting, by one or more processors of a first part of a transition device, a first interface configuration used by the remote radio unit;
detecting a first interface configuration used by the remote radio unit, detecting a second interface configuration used by the baseband unit, configuring one or more interface functions, based on the detected first and second interface configurations, the one or more interface functions being selected from a set of predefined interface functions associated with different interface configurations, establishing at least one data flow between the remote radio unit and the central baseband unit over the transition device, and
performing, by the one or more processors of the first part of the transition device, conversion between the first interface configuration and an intermediate interface configuration adapted for a packet switched network;
and performing conversion between the first interface configuration and the second interface configuration for data communicated in the at least one data flow, using the selected one or more interface functions, wherein conversion between the first interface configuration and an intermediate interface configuration adapted for a packet network is performed by a first part of the transition device,
communicating, by the first part of the transition device, with a second part of the transition device over a packet switched network using the intermediate interface configuration;
and conversion between the intermediate interface configuration and the second interface configuration which is different from the first interface configuration is performed by a second part of the transition device,
detecting, by one or more processors of the second part of the transition device, a second interface configuration that is used by the central baseband unit and that is different from the intermediate interface configuration;
and conversion between the intermediate interface configuration and the second interface configuration which is different from the first interface configuration is performed by a second part of the transition device,
performing, by the processors of the second part of the transition device, conversion between the intermediate interface configuration and the second interface configuration to establish at least one data flow between the remote radio unit and the central baseband unit over the transition unit.
and performing conversion between the first interface configuration and the second interface configuration for data communicated in the at least one data flow, using the selected one or more interface functions, wherein conversion between the first interface configuration and an intermediate interface configuration adapted for a packet network is performed by a first part of the transition device, and conversion between the intermediate interface configuration and the second interface configuration which is different from the first interface configuration is performed by a second part of the transition device, and the data is transported over the packet network between said first and second parts of the transition device, using the intermediate interface configuration.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first part of the transition device is implemented at the remote radio unit, and the second part of the transition device is implemented at the central baseband unit.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the first and second interface configurations are detected based on one or more signals received from the remote radio unit.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first interface configuration comprises a Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) or an interface (C1) for conveying compressed data.
3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the first interface configuration comprises a Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) or an interface (C1) for conveying compressed data.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the second interface configuration comprises a CPRI, an evolved Common Public Radio Interface (eCPRI), an interface (C1) for conveying compressed data, an intra-physical layer split interface (C2), and a physical layer/MAC layer split interface (C3).
4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the second interface configuration comprises any of an evolved Common Public Radio Interface (eCPRI), an interface (C1) for conveying compressed data, an intra-physical layer split interface (C2) and a physical layer/MAC layer split interface (C3).
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the intermediate interface configuration comprises any of an evolved Common Public Radio Interface (eCPRI), an interface (C1) for conveying compressed data, an intra-physical layer split interface (C2), and a physical layer/MAC layer split interface (C3).
5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate interface configuration comprises any of an evolved Common Public Radio Interface (eCPRI), an interface (C1) for conveying compressed data, an intra-physical layer split interface (C2) and a physical layer/MAC layer split interface (C3).
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the intermediate interface configuration is preconfigured.
6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate interface configuration has been preconfigured or is selected based on the first and second interface configurations and/or based on properties of the packet network.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the intermediate interface configuration is selected based on the first interface configuration and the second interface configuration.
7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the one or more interface functions are configured as Virtualized Network Functions (VNFs).
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the intermediate interface configuration is selected based on properties of the packet switched network.
8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the Virtualized Network Functions are implemented in a software-defined data processing unit in the transition device.
9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the one or more interface functions comprise any of: CPRI related functions, eCPRI related functions, multiplexing/de-multiplexing and switching functions, and packet forwarding functions.
9. A transition device enabling communication of data in a wireless network between a remote radio unit and a central baseband unit, the transition device comprising:
11. A transition device arranged to enable communication of data between a remote radio unit and a central baseband unit in a wireless network, the transition device comprising:
a first part of the transition device including one or more processors;
one or more processors configured to: detect a first interface configuration used by the remote radio unit,
and a second part of the transition device including one or more processors, wherein the first part and the second part are interconnected via a packet switched network, the one or more processors of the first part of the transition device are configured to:
a second interface configuration used by the central baseband unit, configure one or more interface functions, based on the detected first and second interface configurations, the one or more interface functions being selected from a set of predefined interface functions associated with different interface configurations, establish at least one data flow between the remote radio unit and the central baseband unit over the transition device, and perform conversion between the first interface
detect a first interface configuration used by the remote radio unit; perform conversion between the first interface configuration and an intermediate interface configuration adapted for the packet switched network;
establish at least one data flow between the remote radio unit and the central baseband unit over the transition device, and perform conversion between the first interface configuration and the second interface configuration for data communicated in the at least one data flow,
detect a second interface configuration that is used by the central baseband unit and that is different from the intermediate interface configuration;
using the selected one or more interface functions, wherein the transition device comprises a first part configured to perform conversion between the first interface configuration and an intermediate interface configuration adapted for a packet network, a
communicate with the first part of the transition device over the packet switched network using the intermediate interface configuration;
and a second part configured to perform conversion between the intermediate interface configuration and the second interface configuration which is different from the first interface configuration,
and perform conversion between the intermediate interface configuration and the second interface configuration to establish at least one data flow between the remote radio unit and the central baseband unit over the transition device.
and the transition device is configured to transport the data over the packet network between said first and second parts, using the intermediate interface configuration.
10. The transition device of claim 9, wherein the first part of the transition device is implemented at the remote radio unit, and the second part of the transition device is implemented at the central baseband unit.
12. A transition device according to claim 11, wherein the transition device is configured to detect the first and second interface configurations based on one or more signals received from the remote radio unit.
11. The transition device of claim 9, wherein the first interface configuration comprises a Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) or an interface (C1) for conveying compressed data.
13. A transition device according to claim 11, wherein the first interface configuration comprises a Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) or an interface (C1) for conveying compressed data.
12. The transition device of claim 9, wherein the second interface configuration comprises a CPRI, an evolved Common Public Radio Interface (eCPRI), an interface (C1) for conveying compressed data, an intra-physical layer split interface (C2), and a physical layer/MAC layer split interface (C3).
14. A transition device according to claim 11, wherein the second interface configuration comprises any of an evolved Common Public Radio Interface (eCPRI), an interface (C1) for conveying compressed data, an intra-physical layer split interface (C2) and a physical layer/MAC layer split interface (C3).
13. The transition device of claim 9, wherein the intermediate interface configuration comprises any of an evolved Common Public Radio Interface (eCPRI), an interface (C1) for conveying compressed data, an intra-physical layer split interface (C2), and a physical layer/MAC layer split interface (C3).
15. A transition device according to claim 11, wherein the intermediate interface configuration comprises any of an evolved Common Public Radio Interface (eCPRI), an interface (C1) for conveying compressed data, an intra-physical layer split interface (C2) and a physical layer/MAC layer split interface (C3).
14. The transition device of claim 9, wherein the intermediate interface configuration is preconfigured.
16. A transition device according to claim 11, wherein the intermediate interface configuration has been preconfigured, or the transition device is configured to select the intermediate interface configuration based on the first and second interface configurations and/or based on properties of the packet network.
15. The transition device of claim 9, wherein the intermediate interface configuration is selected based on the first interface configuration and the second interface configuration.
17. A transition device according to claim 11, wherein the one or more interface functions are configured as Virtualized Network Functions (VNFs).
18. A transition device according to claim 17, wherein the Virtualized Network Functions are implemented in a software-defined data processing unit in the transition device.
16. The transition device of claim 9, wherein the intermediate interface configuration is selected based on properties of the packet switched network.
19. A transition device according to claim 11, wherein the one or more interface functions comprise any of: CPRI related functions, eCPRI related functions, multiplexing/de-multiplexing and switching functions, and packet forwarding functions.
20. A transition device according to claim 11, wherein the one or more interface functions are related to signal processing including any of: Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), beam forming, and compression/decompression.
17. A system enabling communication of data in a wireless network between a remote radio unit and a central baseband unit, the system comprising:
21. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:
a first part of a transition device including one or more processors;
detect a first interface configuration used by a remote radio unit, detect a second interface configuration used by a baseband unit, configure one or more interface functions, based on the detected first and second interface configurations,
a second part of the transition device including one or more processors;
the one or more interface functions being selected from a set of predefined interface functions associated with different interface configurations, establish at least one data flow between the remote radio unit and the central baseband unit over a transition device,
and a packet switched network, wherein the one or more processors of the first part of the transition device are configured to: detect a first interface configuration used by the remote radio unit;
and perform conversion between the first interface configuration and the second interface configuration for data communicated in the at least one data flow, using the selected one or more interface functions,
perform conversion between the first interface configuration and an intermediate interface configuration adapted for the packet switched network;
wherein conversion between the first interface configuration and an intermediate interface configuration adapted for a packet network is performed by a first part of the transition device, and conversion between the intermediate interface configuration and the second interface configuration which is different from the first interface configuration, is performed by a second part of the transition device,
and communicate with the second part of the transition device over the packet switched network using the intermediate interface configuration, and the one or more processors of the second part of the transition device are configured to: detect a second interface configuration that is used by the central baseband unit and that is different from the intermediate interface configuration;
and the data is transported over the packet network between said first and second parts of the transition device, using the intermediate interface configuration.
communicate with the first part of the transition device over the packet switched network using the intermediate interface configuration;
establish at least one data flow between the remote radio unit and the central baseband unit over a transition device, and perform conversion between the first interface configuration and the second interface configuration for data communicated in the at least one data flow, using the selected one or more interface functions,
and perform conversion between the intermediate interface configuration and the second interface configuration to establish at least one data flow between the remote radio unit and the central baseband unit over the transition device.
wherein conversion between the first interface configuration and an intermediate interface configuration adapted for a packet network is performed by a first part of the transition device, and conversion between the intermediate interface configuration and the second interface configuration which is different from the first interface configuration, is performed by a second part of the transition device, and the data is transported over the packet network between said first and second parts of the transition device, using the intermediate interface configuration.
18. The system of claim 17, further comprising: the remote radio unit; and the central baseband unit.
21. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: detect a first interface configuration used by a remote radio unit,
9. The system of claim 18, wherein the first part of the transition device is implemented at the remote radio unit, and the second part of the transition device is implemented at the central baseband unit.
21. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: detect a first interface configuration used by a remote radio unit,
Claims 1-19 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-22 of U.S. Patent No.11902834. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because each of the pending independent claims are mere rearrangements of the limitations of the corresponding patented independent claims.
Claims 1-19 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-24 of U.S. Patent No.12238581. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because each of the pending independent claims are mere rearrangements of the limitations of the corresponding patented independent claims.
Conclusion
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/HABTE MERED/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2474
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