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`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and TrademarkOffice
`Address; COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`
`16/089,279
`
`09/27/2018
`
`Alexander GOLITSCHEK EDLER VON ELBWART
`
`736456.469USPC
`
`1098
`
`Seed IP Law Group LLP/Panasonic (PIPCA)
`701 5th Avenue, Suite 5400
`Seattle, WA 98104
`
`SHAH, SAUMIT
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`ART UNIT
`
`2414
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`04/21/2021
`
`ELECTRONIC
`
`Please find below and/or attached an Office communication concerning this application or proceeding.
`
`The time period for reply, if any, is set in the attached communication.
`
`Notice of the Office communication was sent electronically on above-indicated "Notification Date" to the
`following e-mail address(es):
`USPTOeAction @ SeedIP.com
`
`pairlinkdktg @seedip.com
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`1-15 is/are pending in the application.
`)
`Claim(s)
`5a) Of the above claim(s) _ is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`O Claim(s) _ is/are allowed.
`Claim(s) 1-15 is/are rejected.
`CO Claim(s) _ is/are objected to.
`4 Claim(s
`are subjectto restriction and/or election requirement
`S)
`* If any claims have been determined allowable, you maybeeligible to benefit from the Patent Prosecution Highway program at a
`participating intellectual property office for the corresponding application. For more information, please see
`http:/Awww.uspto.gov/patents/init_events/pph/index.jsp or send an inquiry to PPHfeedback@uspto.gov.
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`) ) ) )
`
`Application Papers
`10) The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`11)C) The drawing(s) filed on
`is/are: a)C] accepted or b)() objected to by the Examiner.
`Applicant may not request that any objection to the drawing(s) be held in abeyance. See 37 CFR 1.85(a).
`Replacement drawing sheet(s) including the correction is required if the drawing(s) is objected to. See 37 CFR 1.121 (d).
`
`Priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119
`12)CZ) Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d)or (f).
`Certified copies:
`_—_c)L) None ofthe:
`b)C)] Some**
`a)L) All
`1.2 Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2.1.) Certified copies of the priority documents have beenreceived in Application No.
`3.1.) Copies of the certified copies of the priority documents have been receivedin this National Stage
`application from the International Bureau (PCT Rule 17.2(a)).
`* See the attached detailed Office action for a list of the certified copies not received.
`
`Attachment(s)
`
`1)
`
`Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`
`2) (J Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date___
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`3) {J Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`4) [] Other:
`
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mail Date 20210415
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Application No.
`16/089,279
`
`Examiner
`SAUMIT SHAH
`
`Applicant(s)
`GOLITSCHEK EDLER VON
`ELBWART e
`Art Unit
`2414
`
`AIA (FITF) Status
`Yes
`
`-- The MAILING DATEofthis communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address --
`Period for Reply
`A SHORTENED STATUTORY PERIOD FOR REPLYIS SET TO EXPIRE 3 MONTHS FROM THE MAILING
`DATE OF THIS COMMUNICATION.
`Extensions of time may be available underthe provisions of 37 CFR 1.136(a). In no event, however, may a reply betimely filed after SIX (6) MONTHSfrom the mailing
`date of this communication.
`If NO period for reply is specified above, the maximum statutory period will apply and will expire SIX (6) MONTHSfrom the mailing date of this communication.
`-
`- Failure to reply within the set or extended period for reply will, by statute, cause the application to become ABANDONED (35 U.S.C. § 133}.
`Any reply received by the Office later than three months after the mailing date of this communication, evenif timely filed, may reduce any earned patent term
`adjustment. See 37 CFR 1.704(b).
`
`Status
`
`1) Responsive to communication(s) filed on 04 February 2021.
`C} A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/werefiled on
`2a)¥) This action is FINAL.
`2b) LO This action is non-final.
`3) An election was madeby the applicant in responseto a restriction requirement set forth during the interview
`on
`; the restriction requirement and election have been incorporated into this action.
`4\Q) Since this application is in condition for allowance except for formal matters, prosecution as to the merits is
`closed in accordance with the practice under Exparte Quayle, 1935 C.D. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/089,279
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 2
`
`DETAILED ACTION
`
`Notice of Pre-AlA or AIA Status
`
`1.
`
`The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first
`
`inventor to file provisions of the AIA.
`
`Response to Amendment
`
`2.
`
`Applicant’s amendmentfiled on 2/4/2021 has been entered. Claims 1, 3 and 13-15 have been
`
`amended. Claims 1-15 arestill pending in this application, with claims 1 and 13-15 being independent.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`3.
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which formsthe basis for all obviousnessrejections
`
`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.
`
`4.
`
`Claims 1-2, 4-5, 10 and 13-15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yang
`
`et al. (US 2014/0086119; provided in Applicant’s IDS dated 9/27/2018, hereinafter Yang) in view of
`
`Hayashi et al. (US 2019/0150075; provided in Applicant’s IDS dated 11/19/2019, hereinafter Hayashi).
`
`Regarding claim 1, Yang discloses an apparatus for transmitting data in a frame with subframes
`
`of a wireless communication system, each subframe being either an uplink subframe accommodating
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/089,279
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 3
`
`uplink signal, a downlink subframe accommodating downlink signal or a special subframe including a
`
`downlink signal portion as well as an uplink signal portion [see Yang Fig. 4 downlink subframe, Fig. 5
`
`uplink subframe, Fig. 6, configuration (a) includes a downlink time slot DwPTS and an uplink time slot
`
`UpPTS], the apparatus comprising:
`
`A receiver [see Yang Fig. 7, both BS and UE have RF units whichinclude receiving circuitry] for
`
`receiving a control signal including a special subframe configuration specifying the length of the uplink
`
`and/or downlink portion of the special subframe [see Yang paragraph 41, control information transmitted
`
`in downlink indicating allocation of resources, especially for uplink/downlink configuration as well as DCI
`
`with synchronization information];
`
`a mapping circuitry, coupled to the receiver and configured to map user data and/or control data
`
`including feedbackinformation in a transmission time interval, TTI, onto one subframe [see Yang
`
`paragraph 28, allocated subframes are formed as TTIs of 1ms, the subframe may be allocated to
`
`downlink, uplink or special subframe, paragraph 32, uplink portion of the special subframe are typically
`
`transmitted by UE back to eNB after the downlink portion is received in order to complete synchronization
`
`and channel estimation, equivalent to feedback information]; and
`
`A transmitter for transmitting the mapped data [see Yang Fig. 7, RF unit comprises transmitting
`
`circuitry, paragraph 21, UE transmitting uplink data and/or control information].
`
`Yang does not expressly disclose the feature of a first number of TTIls mapped onto the uplink
`
`subframe is larger than a second number of TTls for mapping onto the uplink portion of a special
`
`subframe.
`
`However, in the same or similar field of invention, Hayashi Figure 5 discloses an uplink subframe
`
`where the subframe includes 14 symbols on time axis (symbols corresponding to time intervals or TTIs on
`
`time axis) for transmitting uplink channel and signals (Hayashi Figure 5, paragraphs 0102 and 0103).
`
`Hayashi Figure 6 discloses a special subframe which includes UpPTSregion (uplink portion) comprising
`
`two symbol length on time axis (Hayashi Figure 6, paragraphs 0104 and 0105). Thus, a number of TTIs
`
`mapped onto the uplink subframe is larger than a number of TTIs for mapping onto the uplink portion of a
`
`special subframe.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/089,279
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 4
`
`Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effectivefiling
`
`date of the claimed invention to modify Yang to have the feature of a first number of TTIs mapped onto
`
`the uplink subframe is larger than a second number of TTls for mapping onto the uplink portion of a
`
`special subframe; as taught by Hayashi. The suggestion/motivation would have been to provide efficient
`
`communication between a mobile and a basestation where supplemental uplink-downlink configurations
`
`can be used (Hayashi paragraph 0012).
`
`Regarding claim 2, Yang and Hayashi disclose the apparatus according to claim 1. Yang and
`
`Hayashi further disclose wherein the special subframe configuration takes a value out of a value setin
`
`whicha first value indicates length of the uplink portion of the special subframe whichis not sufficient to
`
`accommodate the data in the second TTI, and a second value indicates length sufficient to accommodate
`
`the data in the second TTI but notdatain the first TTI [see Yang table 1, various special subframe
`
`configurations, where one of the configurations is a value out of a value set, each value associated with
`
`lengths of uplink portions identified as symbol lengths, normal and extended]. In addition, the same
`
`motivation is used as the rejection of claim 1.
`
`Regarding claim 4, Yang and Hayashi disclose the apparatus according to claim 1. Yang and
`
`Hayashi further disclose wherein each special subframe consists of a plurality of symbols and the special
`
`subframe configuration indicates the number of symbols for the downlink portion and/or for the uplink
`
`portion, and the special subframe further comprises a guard period separating the downlink portion and
`
`the uplink portion [see Yang Fig. 6 and paragraph 62, plurality of symbols in a special subframe, and
`
`configured each portion with respective symbol lengths (DwPTS — 3, GP — 9, UpPTS — 2)]. In addition,
`
`the same motivation is used as the rejection of claim 1.
`
`Regarding claim 5, Yang and Hayashi disclose the apparatus according to claim 1. Yang and
`
`Hayashi further disclose wherein the special subframe configuration takes a value out of a value set,
`
`wherein some valuesin the set differ with respect to the length of the downlink portion, uplink portion and
`
`the length of the TTI [see Yang table 1, various special subframe configurations, with different
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/089,279
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 5
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`combinations of DwPTS, GP and UpPTSportions]. In addition, the same motivation is used as the
`
`rejection of claim 1.
`
`Regarding claim 10, Yang and Hayashi disclose the apparatus according to claim 1. Yang and
`
`Hayashi further disclose wherein the control signal carrying the special subframe configuration is
`
`transmitted within downlink control information as layer 1/layer 2 signaling [see Yang paragraph 8,
`
`identification of the special subframe are defined in the TDD uplink/downlink configuration sent in a
`
`PDCCHsignal]. In addition, the same motivation is used as the rejection of claim 1.
`
`Regarding claim 13, Yang discloses an apparatus for receiving data in a frame with subframesof
`
`a wireless communication system, each subframe being either an uplink subframe accommodating uplink
`
`signal, a downlink subframe accommodating downlink signal or a special subframe including a downlink
`
`signal portion as well as an uplink signal portion [see Yang Fig. 4 downlink subframe, Fig. 5 uplink
`
`subframe, Fig. 6, configuration (a) includes a downlink time slot DWPTS and an uplink time slot UpPTS],
`
`the apparatus comprising:
`
`A transmitter [see Yang Fig. 7, RF unit comprises transmitting circuitry] for transmitting a control
`
`signal including a special subframe configuration specifying the length of the uplink and/or downlink
`
`portion of the special subframe [see Yang paragraph 41, control information transmitted in downlink
`
`indicating allocation of resources, especially for uplink/downlink configuration as well as DCI with
`
`synchronization information];
`
`A receiver [see Yang Fig. 7, both BS and UE have RF units whichinclude receiving circuitry] for
`
`receiving data mapped on special subframes according to the special subframe configuration [see Yang
`
`paragraph 21, UE transmitting uplink data and/or control information, eNB receiving the uplink data]; and
`
`Mapping circuitry, coupled to the receiver and configured to demap user data and/or control data
`
`including feedbackinformation in a transmission time interval, TTI, from one subframe [see Yang
`
`paragraph 28, allocated subframes are formed as TTIs of 1ms, the subframe may be allocated to
`
`downlink, uplink or special subframe, paragraph 32, uplink portion of the special subframe are typically
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/089,279
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 6
`
`transmitted by UE back to eNB after the downlink portion is received in order to complete synchronization
`
`and channel estimation, equivalent to feedback information].
`
`Yang doesnot expressly disclose wherein a first number of TTIs mapped onto the uplink
`
`subframe is larger than a second numberof TTIs for mapping onto the uplink portion of a special
`
`subframe.
`
`However, in the same or similar field of invention, Hayashi Figure 5 discloses an uplink subframe
`
`where the subframe includes 14 symbols on time axis (symbols corresponding to time intervals or TTIs on
`
`time axis) for transmitting uplink channel and signals (Hayashi Figure 5, paragraphs 0102 and 0103).
`
`Hayashi Figure 6 discloses a special subframe which includes UpPTSregion (uplink portion) comprising
`
`two symbol length on time axis (Hayashi Figure 6, paragraphs 0104 and 0105). Thus, a number of TTIs
`
`mapped onto the uplink subframe is larger than a number of TTIs for mapping onto the uplink portion of a
`
`special subframe.
`
`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 Yang to have the feature of a first number of TTIs mapped onto
`
`the uplink subframe is larger than a second number of TTIs for mapping onto the uplink portion of a
`
`special subframe; as taught by Hayashi. The suggestion/motivation would have been to provide efficient
`
`communication between a mobile and a basestation where supplemental uplink-downlink configurations
`
`can be used (Hayashi paragraph 0012).
`
`Regarding claim 14, Yang discloses a method for transmitting data in a frame with subframes of
`
`a wireless communication system, each subframe being either an uplink subframe accommodating uplink
`
`signal, a downlink subframe accommodating downlink signal or a special subframe including a downlink
`
`signal portion as well as an uplink signal portion [see Yang Fig. 4 downlink subframe, Fig. 5 uplink
`
`subframe, Fig. 6, configuration (a) includes a downlink time slot DWPTS and an uplink time slot UpPTS],
`
`the method comprising:
`
`Receiving a control signal including a special subframe configuration specifying the length of the
`
`uplink and/or downlink portion of the special subframe [see Yang paragraph 41, control information
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/089,279
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 7
`
`transmitted in downlink indicating allocation of resources, especially for uplink/downlink configuration as
`
`well as DCI with synchronization information];
`
`Mapping user data and/or control data including feedback information in a transmission time
`
`interval, TTI, onto one subframe [see Yang paragraph 28, allocated subframes are formed as TTIs of
`
`ims, the subframe may be allocated to downlink, uplink or special subframe, paragraph 32, uplink portion
`
`of the special subframe are typically transmitted by UE back to eNB after the downlink portion is received
`
`in order to complete synchronization and channel estimation, equivalent to feedback information]; and
`
`Transmitting the mapped data [see Yang Fig. 7, RF unit comprises transmitting circuitry,
`
`paragraph 21, UE transmitting uplink data and/or control information].
`
`Yang does not expressly disclose the feature of a first number of TTIs mapped onto the uplink
`
`subframe is larger than a second number of TTls for mapping onto the uplink portion of a special
`
`subframe.
`
`However, in the same orsimilar field of invention, Hayashi Figure 5 discloses an uplink subframe
`
`where the subframe includes 14 symbols on time axis (symbols corresponding to time intervals or TTIs on
`
`time axis) for transmitting uplink channel and signals (Hayashi Figure 5, paragraphs 0102 and 0103).
`
`Hayashi Figure 6 discloses a special subframe which includes UpPTSregion (uplink portion) comprising
`
`two symbol length on time axis (Hayashi Figure 6, paragraphs 0104 and 0105). Thus, a number of TTIs
`
`mapped onto the uplink subframe is larger than a number of TTIs for mapping onto the uplink portion of a
`
`special subframe.
`
`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 Yang to have the feature of a first number of TTIls mapped onto
`
`the uplink subframe is larger than a second number of TTls for mapping onto the uplink portion of a
`
`special subframe; as taught by Hayashi. The suggestion/motivation would have been to provide efficient
`
`communication between a mobile and a basestation where supplemental uplink-downlink configurations
`
`can be used (Hayashi paragraph 0012).
`
`Regarding claim 15, Yang discloses a method for receiving data in a frame with subframesof a
`
`wireless communication system, each subframe being either an uplink subframe accommodating uplink
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/089,279
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 8
`
`signal, a downlink subframe accommodating downlink signal or a special subframe including a downlink
`
`signal portion as well as an uplink signal portion [see Yang Fig. 4 downlink subframe, Fig. 5 uplink
`
`subframe, Fig. 6, configuration (a) includes a downlink time slot DWPTS and an uplink time slot UpPTS],
`
`the method comprising:
`
`Transmitting a control signal including a special subframe configuration specifying the length of
`
`the uplink and/or downlink portion of the special subframe [see Yang paragraph 41, control information
`
`transmitted in downlink indicating allocation of resources, especially for uplink/downlink configuration as
`
`well as DCI with synchronization information];
`
`Receiving data mapped on special subframes according to the special subframe configuration
`
`[see Yang paragraph 21, UE transmitting uplink data and/or control information, eNB receiving the uplink
`
`data]; and
`
`Demapping user data and/or control data including feedback information in a transmission time
`
`interval, TTI, from one subframe [See Yang paragraph 28, allocated subframes are formed as TTIs of
`
`ims, the subframe may be allocated to downlink, uplink or special subframe, paragraph 32, uplink portion
`
`of the special subframe are typically transmitted by UE back to eNB after the downlink portion is received
`
`in order to complete synchronization and channel estimation, equivalent to feedback information].
`
`Yang does not expressly disclose the feature of a first number of TTIs mapped onto the uplink
`
`subframe is larger than a second number of TTls for mapping onto the uplink portion of a special
`
`subframe.
`
`However, in the same or similar field of invention, Hayashi Figure 5 discloses an uplink subframe
`
`where the subframe includes 14 symbols on time axis (symbols corresponding to time intervals or TTIs on
`
`time axis) for transmitting uplink channel and signals (Hayashi Figure 5, paragraphs 0102 and 0103).
`
`Hayashi Figure 6 discloses a special subframe which includes UpPTSregion (uplink portion) comprising
`
`two symbol length on time axis (Hayashi Figure 6, paragraphs 0104 and 0105). Thus, a number of TTIs
`
`mapped onto the uplink subframe is larger than a number of TTIs for mapping onto the uplink portion of a
`
`special subframe.
`
`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 Yang to have the feature of a first number of TTIs mapped onto
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/089,279
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 9
`
`the uplink subframe is larger than a second number of TTIs for mapping onto the uplink portion of a
`
`special subframe; as taught by Hayashi. The suggestion/motivation would have been to provide efficient
`
`communication between a mobile and a basestation where supplemental uplink-downlink configurations
`
`can be used (Hayashi paragraph 0012).
`
`5.
`
`Claims 3 and 12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yang in view of
`
`Hayashi, and further in view of Yin et al. (US 2013/0083736).
`
`Regarding claim 3, Yang and Hayashi disclose the apparatus according to claim 2. Yang and
`
`Hayashi further disclose wherein the mapping circuitry is configured to: map onto the uplink portion
`
`physical layer signals including sounding reference signals if the special subframe configuration takes the
`
`first value [see Yang paragraph 32, SRS are typically transmitted in UpPTS, the uplink portion of physical
`
`layer signals in the special subframe].
`
`Yang and Hayashi do not expressly disclose the features of mapping onto the uplink portion
`
`control data including positive or negative acknowledgement for downlink data and/or channel state
`
`information if the special subframe configuration takes the second value; or mapping onto the uplink
`
`portion user dataif the special subframe configuration takes the second value.
`
`However, in the same orsimilarfield of invention, Yin discloses that in type 2 special subframes,
`
`the UpPTSportion may accommodate moredata, thereby allowing the uplink portion to have data
`
`mapped thereon (see Yin paragraph 0081).
`
`Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effectivefiling
`
`date of the claimed invention to modify Yang and Hayashi to have the feature of mapping onto the uplink
`
`portion user dataif the special subframe configuration takes the second value; as taught by Yin. The
`
`suggestion/motivation would have been to provide improved communication flexibility and efficiency in the
`
`network; and provide flexible bandwidth allocation (Yin paragraphs 0004 and 0062).
`
`Regarding claim 12, Yang and Hayashi disclose the apparatus according to claim 1. Yang and
`
`Hayashi further disclose wherein the uplink portion of the special subframe consists of a signal portion
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/089,279
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 10
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`which carries sounding reference signal and/or a random access channel preamble (see Hayashi Figure
`
`6 and paragraphs 0104-0105; the mobile device may transmit the PRACH and SRSin the UpPTSofthe
`
`special subframe).
`
`Yang and Hayashi do not expressly disclose wherein the uplink portion of the special subframe
`
`consists of a data portion onto which user data and/or control data is mapped within one or more TTIs.
`
`However, in the same or similar field of invention, Yin Figure 6 discloses that uplink portion
`
`UpPTSincludes PUSCH transmission space, which is the physical channel for transmitting user data
`
`from UE to the network (see Yin Figure 6, paragraphs 0222 and 0223).
`
`Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effectivefiling
`
`date of the claimed invention to modify Yang and Hayashi to have the feature of the uplink portion of the
`
`special subframe consists of a data portion onto which user data and/or control data is mapped within one
`
`or more TTIs; as taught by Yin. The suggestion/motivation would have been to provide improved
`
`communication flexibility and efficiency in the network; and provide flexible bandwidth allocation (Yin
`
`paragraphs 0004 and 0062).
`
`6.
`
`Claims 6-9 and 11 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yang in view of
`
`Hayashi, and further in view of Shen et al. (US 2012/0135773, hereinafter Shen).
`
`Regarding claim 6, Yang and Hayashi disclose the apparatus according to claim 1. Yang and
`
`Hayashi further disclose wherein the control signal further comprises an uplink/downlink configuration
`
`specifying for each subframe of a frame whether it is downlink, uplink or special subframe [see Yang
`
`paragraph 34-35, UL-DL configuration including special subframe allocation, paragraph 33, special
`
`subframe configuration].
`
`Yang and Hayashi do not expressly disclose the uplink/downlink configuration includesa first set
`
`of subframes that are configurable for multicast or broadcast, and a second set of subframesthat are not
`
`configurable for multicast or broadcast.
`
`However, in the same or similarfield of invention, Shen discloses regarding control signal
`
`transmission from the base station and identifying transmissions that are configured for MBSFN
`
`

`

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`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 11
`
`transmission and other portions where MBSFN transmissions are not expected (see Shen paragraphs
`
`0051 and 0052).
`
`Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effectivefiling
`
`date of the claimed invention to modify Yang and Hayashi to have the feature of the uplink/downlink
`
`configuration includesa first set of subframes that are configurable for multicast or broadcast, and a
`
`second set of subframesthat are not configurable for multicast or broadcast; as taught by Shen. The
`
`suggestion/motivation would have been to improvethe ratio of utilizing resources of timeslots (Shen
`
`paragraph 0055), and maintain compatibility between different generations of mobile equipment (Shen
`
`paragraph 0085).
`
`Regarding claim 7, Yang, Hayashi and Shen disclose the apparatus according to claim 6. Yang,
`
`Hayashi and Shen further disclose wherein the special subframe configuration differs for the first and the
`
`second sets of subframes of the uplink/downlink configuration [see Yang paragraph 0051, UL-DL
`
`configuration may change or be reconfigured with different patterns of UL/DL/S subframes]. In addition,
`
`the same motivation is used as the rejection of claim 6.
`
`Regarding claim 8, Yang, Hayashi and Shen disclose the apparatus according to claim 6. Yang,
`
`Hayashi and Shen further disclose wherein the wireless communication system is a long term evolution
`
`(LTE), the first set of subframes are from among those subframesthat are configurable as multicast
`
`broadcast single-frequency network, MBSFN, subframes, or the second set of subframes are subframes
`
`with number 1 and/or 6 [see Shen paragraph 0051, configuring MBSFN solution for LTE Relgj. In
`
`addition, the same motivation is used as the rejection of claim 6.
`
`Regarding claim 9, Yang and Hayashi disclose the apparatus according to claim 1. Yang and
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`Hayashi do not expressly disclose wherein the length of the TTI differs for the uplink part of a special
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`subframe and a downlink part of a special subframe.
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/089,279
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 12
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`However, in the same or similar field of invention, Shen discloses that the first portion, second
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`portion, and guard period mayall be configured flexibly with specific lengths of timeslots (see Shen Fig. 6
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`and paragraphs 0057-0060).
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`Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effectivefiling
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`date of the claimed invention to modify Yang and Hayashi to have the feature of wherein the length of the
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`TTI differs for the uplink part of a special subframe and a downlink part of a special subframe; as taught
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`by Shen. The suggestion/motivation would have been to improvethe ratio of utilizing resources of
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`timeslots (Shen paragraph 0055), and maintain compatibility between different generations of mobile
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`equipment (Shen paragraph 0085).
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`Regarding claim 11, Yang, Hayashi and Shen disclose the apparatus according to claim 9. Yang,
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`Hayashi and Shen further disclose wherein the special subframe configuration and the uplink/downlink
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`configuration are carried in a first field specifying which subframes are special subframes and a second
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`field specifying for the special subframes which symbols belong to uplink and which symbols belong to
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`downlink [see Yang paragraph 8, identification of the special subframe are defined in the TDD
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`uplink/downlink configuration sent in a PDCCH signal]. In addition, the same motivation is used as the
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`rejection of claim 9.
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`Response to Arguments
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`7.
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`Claims 1 and 13 are no longer interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) in view of amendmentfiled on
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`2/4/2021.
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`8.
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`Applicant’s arguments filed on 2/4/2021 with respect to claim rejection under 35 U.S.C. § 103
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`have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference
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`applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument.
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`The rejection has been revised according to the amended claims.
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/089,279
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 13
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`Conclusion
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`9.
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`Applicant's amendmentnecessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office
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`action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of
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`the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
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`A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from
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`the mailing date of this action.
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`In the eventa first replyis filed within TWO MONTHS ofthe mailing date
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`of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH
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`shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action
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`is mailed, and any extension fee pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of
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`the advisory action.
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`In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX
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`MONTHS from the date ofthis final action.
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`Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should
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`be directed to SAUMIT SHAH whosetelephone number is (571)272-6959. The examiner can normally
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`be reached on Monday- Friday 9 am - 6 pm.
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/089,279
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 14
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`the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197(toll-free). If you would like assistance from a
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`/SAUMIT SHAH/
`Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2414
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`