www.uspto.gov
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and TrademarkOffice
`Address; COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`
`16/652,680
`
`04/01/2020
`
`LILEI WANG
`
`731456.566USPC
`
`8873
`
`Seed IP Law Group LLP/Panasonic (PIPCA)
`701 5th Avenue, Suite 5400
`Seattle, WA 98104
`
`NOWLIN, ERIC
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`ART UNIT
`
`2474
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`09/01/2021
`
`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`5a) Of the above claim(s) ___ is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`C] Claim(s)__ is/are allowed.
`Claim(s) 1-4,6-12 and 14-15 is/are rejected.
`Claim(s) 5and13 is/are objectedto.
`C] 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.
`
`) ) ) )
`
`Application Papers
`10)C2) The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`11) The drawing(s) filed on 01 April 2020 is/are: a) accepted or b){j 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)0) Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d)or (f).
`Certified copies:
`c)() None ofthe:
`b)( Some**
`a)C) 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 received in 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)
`
`Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)
`2)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date 01 April 2020.
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`3) (J Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`(Qj Other:
`
`4)
`
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mail Date 20210826
`
`Application No.
`Applicant(s)
`16/652,680
`WANG etal.
`
`Office Action Summary Art Unit|AIA (FITF) StatusExaminer
`ERIC NOWLIN
`2474
`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 01 April 2020.
`C) A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/werefiled on
`
`2a)L) This action is FINAL. 2b)¥)This action is non-final.
`3)02 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\0) 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: 16/652,680
`Art Unit: 2474
`
`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.
`
`Information Disclosure Statement
`
`2.
`
`The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 01 April 2020 was filed after
`
`the mailing date of the patent application on 01 April 2020. The submission is in compliance
`
`with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statementis being
`
`considered by the examiner.
`
`3.
`
`The drawings, received on 01 April 2020, are acceptable for examination.
`
`Drawings
`
`Specification
`
`4.
`
`The lengthy specification has not been checked to the extent necessary to determine
`
`the presence ofall possible minor errors. Applicant’s cooperation is requested in correcting any
`
`errors of which applicant may become awarein the specification.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/652,680
`Art Unit: 2474
`
`Page 3
`
`Claim Objections
`
`5.
`
`Claims 4 and 12 are objected to because of the following informalities: Said claims
`
`recite “LTE” without defining the meaning of the acronym.
`
`In order to improveclaim clarity,
`
`Examiner respectfully suggests amending “LTE” to “Long Term Evolution (LTE)”. Appropriate
`
`correction is required.
`
`6.
`
`Claim 6 is objected to because of the following informalities: Said claim recites “the
`
`entire carrier bandwidth or bandwidth part” which is not supported by antecedent basis.
`
`Examiner respectfully suggests amending to “an entire carrier bandwidth or a bandwidth part”
`
`consistent with antecedent basis. Appropriate correction is required.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
`
`7.
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
`(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or moreclaims particularly pointing out
`and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the
`invention.
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AlA), second paragraph:
`The specification shall conclude with one or moreclaims particularly pointing out and distinctly
`claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
`
`8.
`
`Claims 2-6 and 11-13 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AlA),
`
`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-AlA
`
`35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/652,680
`Art Unit: 2474
`
`Page 4
`
`Regarding Claim 2 and Claim 11, said claims recite “the positions of which in frequency
`
`domain are indicated by a bitmap” which render the claims unclear because Examiner is unable
`
`to determine which noun that the modifier modifies. Specifically, Examiner is unable to
`
`determine whether “the positions” refers to “the positions” of the physical resource blocks or
`
`“the positions” of virtual resource blocks. For the purpose of examination, Examiner has
`
`interpreted as a bitmap that indicates the mapping of VRBs to PRBs.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
`
`9.
`
`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-AlA 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.
`
`10.
`
`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 effectivefiling date of
`the claimed invention.
`
`11.
`
`Claims 1, 7, 10, and 14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by
`
`Nam et al. (US 20190150118 A1; hereinafter referred to as “Nam”).
`
`Regarding Claim 1, Nam discloses a base station, comprising:
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/652,680
`Art Unit: 2474
`
`Page 5
`
`Circuitry (165-67 & Fig. 4, Nam discloses a base station (BS) comprising a
`
`controller/processor 410 and a scheduler 444) operative to allocate Physical Resource Blocks
`
`(PRBs) for data transmission based on one of a set of resource allocations (197-98 & Fig. 10
`
`(1002->1004), Nam discloses allocating, by the BS, N consecutive physical resource blocks
`
`(PRBs) for using in mappinga first set of N virtual resource blocks (VRBs)); and
`
`a transmitter (165-67 & Fig. 4, Nam discloses a base station (BS) comprising a transmit
`
`processor 420 and a transmit MIMO processor 430 coupledto a plurality of antennas 434)
`
`operative to transmit data on the PRBs to a user equipment(99 & Fig. 10 (1006), Nam
`
`discloses transmitting, by the BS to the user equipment (UE), N consecutive physical resource
`
`blocks (PRBs)),
`
`wherein the set of resource allocations comprises:
`
`a first resource allocation of interleaving Virtual Resource Blocks (VRBs) consecutively
`
`numbered (495 & 9101-106 & Fig. 9, Nam discloses that the first set of N consecutive VRBs
`
`are consecutively numbered. Here, each interleaving unit contains at least two VRBsthat are
`
`consecutively numbered according to the VRB index of the VRB) and mapping the interleaved
`
`VRBs to the PRBsconsecutive in frequency domain (195 & 9101-106 & Fig. 9, Nam discloses
`
`mappinga first VRB (VRB index 0) and a second VRB (VRBindex 1) to a third PRB (PRB Index
`
`4) and a fourth PRB (PRB Index 5)).
`
`Regarding Claim 7, Nam discloses a user equipment, comprising:
`
`a receiver (165-67 & Fig. 4, Nam discloses a user equipment (UE) comprising a receive
`
`processor 458 coupled to a plurality of antennas 452) operative to receive data transmitted on
`
`Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs) (41103 & Fig. 10 (1106), Nam disclosesreceiving, by the UE
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/652,680
`Art Unit: 2474
`
`Page 6
`
`from a base station (BS), N consecutive physical resource blocks (PRBs)) and resource
`
`allocation information from a base station (102 & 4109 & Fig. 11 (1104), Nam discloses
`
`receiving, by the UE from a basestation (BS), a first grant comprising allocation information
`
`of N consecutive virtual resource blocks (VRBs)); and
`
`circuitry (165-67 & Fig. 4, Nam discloses a user equipment (UE) comprising a
`
`controller/processor 480 and receive processor 458) operative to decode the data based on
`
`the resource allocation information (69 & 4102 & 4109 & Fig. 10 (1104), Nam discloses that
`
`the UE will decode received data from a reception),
`
`wherein the resourceallocation information indicates on which one of a set of resource
`
`allocations the PRBsare allocated for data transmission based (197-98 & Fig. 10 (1002->1004),
`
`Nam disclosesreceiving, by the UE from a base station (BS), N consecutive physical resource
`
`blocks (PRBs) for using in mappinga first set of N virtual resource blocks (VRBs)), and
`
`wherein the set of resource allocations comprises:
`
`a first resource allocation of interleaving Virtual Resource Blocks (VRBs) consecutively
`
`numbered (995 & 9101-106 & Fig. 9, Nam discloses that the first set of N consecutive VRBs
`
`are consecutively numbered. Here, each interleaving unit contains at least two VRBsthat are
`
`consecutively numbered according to the VRB index of the VRB) and mapping the interleaved
`
`VRBs to the PRBsconsecutive in frequency domain (195 & 9101-106 & Fig. 9, Nam discloses
`
`mappinga first VRB (VRB index 0) and a second VRB(VRBindex 1) to a third PRB (PRB Index
`
`4) and a fourth PRB (PRB Index 5)).
`
`Regarding Claim 10, Nam discloses a user equipment, comprising:
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/652,680
`Art Unit: 2474
`
`Page 7
`
`a receiver (165-67 & Fig. 4, Nam discloses a user equipment (UE) comprising a receive
`
`processor 458 coupled to a plurality of antennas 452) operative to receive resourceallocation
`
`information from a basestation (102 & 4109 & Fig. 11 (1104), Nam discloses receiving, by the
`
`UE from a basestation (BS), a first grant comprising allocation information of N consecutive
`
`virtual resource blocks (VRBs));
`
`circuitry (165-67 & Fig. 4, Nam discloses a user equipment (UE) comprising a
`
`controller/processor 480 and receive processor 458) operative to allocate Physical Resource
`
`Blocks (PRBs) for data transmission based on the resource allocation information (102 & 4109
`
`& Fig. 11 (1104), Nam discloses allocating, by the UE from a base station (BS), resources based
`
`upon receipt of a first grant comprising allocation information of N consecutive virtual
`
`resource blocks (VRBs)); and
`
`a transmitter (165-67 & Fig. 4, Nam discloses the UE further comprising a transmit
`
`processor 464 coupled to a plurality of antennas 452) operative to transmit data on the PRBs
`
`to the base station (103-104 & Fig. 10 (1106), Nam discloses transmitting, by the UE to a base
`
`station (BS), N consecutive physical resource blocks (PRBs)), wherein the resource allocation
`
`information indicates on which one ofa set of resource allocations the PRBs are allocated for
`
`data transmission based (4197-98 & Fig. 10 (1002->1004), Nam discloses receiving, by the UE
`
`from a basestation (BS), N consecutive physical resource blocks (PRBs) for using in mapping a
`
`first set of N virtual resource blocks (VRBs)), and
`
`wherein the set of resource allocations comprises:
`
`a fourth resource allocation of interleaving Virtual Resource Blocks (VRBs) consecutively
`
`numbered (995 & 4101-106 & Fig. 9, Nam discloses that the first set of N consecutive VRBs
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/652,680
`Art Unit: 2474
`
`Page 8
`
`are consecutively numbered. Here, each interleaving unit contains at least two VRBsthat are
`
`consecutively numbered according to the VRB index of the VRB) and mapping the interleaved
`
`VRBs to the PRBs consecutive in frequency domain (195 & 4101-106 & Fig. 9, Nam discloses
`
`mappinga first VRB (VRB index 0) and a second VRB(VRBindex 1) to a third PRB (PRB Index
`
`4) and a fourth PRB (PRB Index 5)).
`
`Regarding Claim 14, Nam discloses a base station, comprising:
`
`a transmitter (165-67 & Fig. 4, Nam discloses a base station (BS) comprising a transmit
`
`processor 420 and a transmit MIMO processor 430 coupledto a plurality of antennas 434)
`
`operative to transmit resourceallocation information to a user equipment (1102 & 9109 & Fig.
`
`11 (1104), Nam discloses transmitting, to the UE from a base station (BS), a first grant
`
`comprising allocation information of N consecutive virtual resource blocks (VRBs));
`
`a receiver (165-67 & Fig. 4, Nam discloses a base station (BS) comprising a receive
`
`processor 420 and a receive MIMO detector 436 coupledto a plurality of antennas 434)
`
`operative to receive data transmitted on Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs) ({]103-104 & Fig. 10
`
`(1106), Nam discloses receiving, from the UE by the BS, N consecutive physical resource
`
`blocks (PRBs)), which are allocated based on the resource allocation information, from the user
`
`equipment (9101 & Fig. 10 (1102->1104), Nam discloses that the resourceallocation is
`
`determined by the UE. Here, the determination of resource allocation is based in part on
`
`reception, by the UE, of a grant); and
`
`circuitry (165-67 & Fig. 4, Nam discloses a base station (BS) comprising a
`
`controller/processor 410 and a scheduler 444) operative to decode the data (169 & 4102 &
`
`1109 & Fig. 10 (1104), Nam discloses that the UE will decode received data from a reception),
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/652,680
`Art Unit: 2474
`
`Page 9
`
`wherein the resourceallocation information indicates on which one of a set of resource
`
`allocations the PRBsare allocated for data transmission based (197-98 & Fig. 10 (1002->1004),
`
`Nam disclosesreceiving, by the UE from a base station (BS), N consecutive physical resource
`
`blocks (PRBs) for using in mappinga first set of N virtual resource blocks (VRBs)), and
`
`wherein the set of resource allocations comprises:
`
`a fourth resource allocation of interleaving Virtual Resource Blocks (VRBs) consecutively
`
`numbered (495 & 9101-106 & Fig. 9, Nam discloses that the first set of N consecutive VRBs
`
`are consecutively numbered. Here, each interleaving unit contains at least two VRBsthat are
`
`consecutively numbered according to the VRB index of the VRB) and mapping the interleaved
`
`VRBs to the PRBsconsecutive in frequency domain (195 & 9101-106 & Fig. 9, Nam discloses
`
`mappinga first VRB (VRB index 0) and a second VRB (VRBindex 1) to a third PRB (PRB Index
`
`4) and a fourth PRB (PRB Index 5)).
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`12.
`
`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-AlA 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.
`
`13.
`
`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
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/652,680
`Art Unit: 2474
`
`Page 10
`
`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 ordinaryskill in the art to which the
`claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention
`was made.
`
`14.
`
`The factual inquiries 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 obviousnessor
`
`nonobviousness.
`
`15.
`
`Claims 2-4, 6, 8-9, 11-12, and 15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable
`
`over Nam in view of Tooher et al. (US 20190208482 A1; hereinafter referred to as “Tooher”).
`
`Regarding Claim 2, Nam discloses the base station according to claim 1.
`
`Nam further discloses the set of resource allocations further comprises:
`
`a second resource allocation of interleaving VRBs consecutively numbered (195 & 41101-
`
`106 & Fig. 9, Nam discloses the first set of N consecutive VRBs further comprises a third VRB
`
`(VRB Index 2) and a fourth VRB (VRB Index 3)) and mapping the interleaved VRBs to the PRBs
`
`(195 & 9101-106 & Fig. 9, Nam discloses mapping a third VRB (VRB Index 2) and a fourth VRB
`
`(VRB Index 3) to a fifth PRB (PRB Index 4) and a sixth PRB (PRB Index5)).
`
`However, Nam does not explicitly disclose the positions of which in frequency domain
`
`are indicated by a bitmap.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/652,680
`Art Unit: 2474
`
`Page 11
`
`Tooher teaches the positions of which in frequency domain are indicated by a bitmap
`
`(1193, Tooher teaches using a bitmap indication to indicate how the virtual resource blocks
`
`(VRBs) are mappedto the physical resource blocks (PRBs)).
`
`It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the
`
`invention was filed to modify Nam by requiring that the positions of which in frequency domain
`
`are indicated by a bitmap as taught by Tooher because flexible resource control improve the
`
`operation of the wireless transmit receive unit (WTRU) by allowing the WTRU to send or receive
`
`data based on one or more numerology parameters (Tooher, 43).
`
`Regarding Claim 3, Nam in view of Tooher discloses the base station according to claim
`
`Nam further discloses the set of resource allocations further comprises: a third resource
`
`allocation of interleaving VRBs consecutively numbered (495 & 4101-106 & Fig. 9, Nam
`
`disclosesthe first set of N consecutive VRBs further comprises a fifth VRB (VRB Index 4) anda
`
`sixth VRB (VRB Index 5)) and mapping the interleaved VRBs to the PRBs inconsecutive (195 &
`
`1101-106 & Fig. 9, Nam discloses mapping a fifth VRB and a sixth VRB to a nineteenth PRB
`
`(PRB Index 20) and a twentieth PRB (PRB Index 21) where PRB Index 20 and PRBIndex 21 are
`
`inconsecutive relative to the other PRB Indices) in frequency domain within a specified or
`
`configured frequency range (94 & Fig. 8, Nam discloses that the interleaving unit size, N,
`
`exists within the bandwidth part bandwidth).
`
`Regarding Claim 4, Nam in view of Tooher discloses the base station according to claim
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/652,680
`Art Unit: 2474
`
`Page 12
`
`Nam further discloses the first allocation and the second allocation perform interleaving
`
`based on a subset of a block interleaver on which the third allocation performs interleaving
`
`(195 & 9101-106 & Fig. 9, Nam discloses mappinga first VRB (VRB index 0), a second VRB
`
`(VRB index 1), third VRB (VRB Index 2), and a fourth VRB (VRB Index 3) are within a first
`
`interleaving unit (Interleaving Unit 1)) based, the block interleaver being based on a block
`
`interleaver used in LTE or otherwise configured depending on configured Resource Block Group
`
`(RBG) size (195 & 9101-106 & Fig. 9, Nam discloses mapping VRBs to PRBs based upon the
`
`physical resource group (PRG) size and the virtual resource group (VRB) size. Here, the
`
`interleaving size unit (Interleaving Unit Index 1) is dependent on a size of 4 for VRB size and
`
`PRBsize).
`
`Regarding Claim 6, Nam in view of Tooher discloses the base station according to claim
`
`Nam further discloses the specified or configured frequency range is equal to or smaller
`
`than the entire carrier bandwidth or bandwidth part (194 & Fig. 8, Nam discloses that the
`
`interleaving unit size, N, may be less than or equal to the bandwidth part bandwidth).
`
`Regarding Claim 8, Nam discloses the user equipment according to claim 7.
`
`Nam further discloses the set of resource allocations further comprises:
`
`a second resource allocation of interleaving VRBs consecutively numbered (195 & 41101-
`
`106 & Fig. 9, Nam discloses the first set of N consecutive VRBs further comprises a third VRB
`
`(VRB Index 2) and a fourth VRB (VRB Index 3)) and mapping the interleaved VRBs to the PRBs
`
`(195 & 9101-106 & Fig. 9, Nam discloses mapping a third VRB (VRB Index 2) and a fourth VRB
`
`(VRB Index 3) to a fifth PRB (PRB Index 4) and a sixth PRB (PRB Index5)).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/652,680
`Art Unit: 2474
`
`Page 13
`
`However, Nam does not explicitly disclose the positions of which in frequency domain
`
`are indicated by a bitmap.
`
`Tooher teaches the positions of which in frequency domain are indicated by a bitmap
`
`(1193, Tooher teaches using a bitmap indication to indicate how the virtual resource blocks
`
`(VRBs) are mappedto the physical resource blocks (PRBs)).
`
`It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the
`
`invention was filed to modify Nam by requiring that the positions of which in frequency domain
`
`are indicated by a bitmap as taught by Tooher becauseflexible resource control improve the
`
`operation of the wireless transmit receive unit (WTRU) by allowing the WTRU to send or receive
`
`data based on one or more numerology parameters (Tooher, 43).
`
`Regarding Claim 9, Nam in view of Tooher discloses the user equipment according to
`
`claim 7.
`
`Nam further discloses the set of resource allocations further comprises:
`
`a third resource allocation of interleaving VRBs consecutively numbered (4195 & 4101-
`
`106 & Fig. 9, Nam discloses the first set of N consecutive VRBs further comprises a fifth VRB
`
`(VRB Index 4) and a sixth VRB (VRB Index 5)) and mapping the interleaved VRBs to the PRBs
`
`inconsecutive (195 & 9101-106 & Fig. 9, Nam discloses mappinga fifth VRB and a sixth VRB to
`
`a nineteenth PRB (PRB Index 20) and a twentieth PRB (PRB Index 21) where PRB Index 20
`
`and PRB Index 21 are inconsecutive relative to the other PRB Indices) in frequency domain
`
`within a specified or configured frequency range (194 & Fig. 8, Nam discloses that the
`
`interleaving unit size, N, exists within the bandwidth part bandwidth).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/652,680
`Art Unit: 2474
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`Page 14
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`Regarding Claim 11, Nam in view of Tooher discloses the user equipment according to
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`claim 10.
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`Nam further discloses the set of resource allocations further comprises:
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`a fifth resource allocation of interleaving VRBs consecutively numbered (495 & 4101-
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`106 & Fig. 9, Nam discloses the first set of N consecutive VRBs further comprises a third VRB
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`(VRB Index 2) and a fourth VRB (VRB Index 3)) and mapping the interleaved VRBs to the PRBs
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`(195 & 9101-106 & Fig. 9, Nam discloses mapping a third VRB (VRB Index 2) and a fourth VRB
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`(VRB Index 3) to a fifth PRB (PRB Index 4) and a sixth PRB (PRB Index 5)).
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`However, Nam does not explicitly disclose the positions of which in frequency domain
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`are indicated by a bitmap.
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`Tooher teaches the positions of which in frequency domain are indicated by a bitmap
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`(1193, Tooher teaches using a bitmap indication to indicate how the virtual resource blocks
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`(VRBs) are mappedto the physical resource blocks (PRBs)).
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`It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the
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`invention was filed to modify Nam by requiring that the positions of which in frequency domain
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`are indicated by a bitmap as taught by Tooher becauseflexible resource control improve the
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`operation of the wireless transmit receive unit (WTRU) by allowing the WTRU to send or receive
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`data based on one or more numerology parameters (Tooher, 43).
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`Regarding Claim 12, Nam in view of Tooher discloses the user equipment according to
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`claim 11.
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`Nam further discloses the fourth allocation and the fifth allocation perform interleaving
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`based on a subsetof a block interleaver (495 & 4101-106 & Fig. 9, Nam discloses mapping a
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/652,680
`Art Unit: 2474
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`Page 15
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`first VRB (VRB index 0), a second VRB (VRBindex 1), third VRB (VRB Index 2), and a fourth
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`VRB (VRB Index 3) are within a first interleaving unit (Interleaving Unit 1)) which is based ona
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`block interleaver used in LTE or otherwise configured depending on configured Resource Block
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`Group (RBG) size (195 & 9101-106 & Fig. 9, Nam discloses mapping VRBs to PRBs based upon
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`the physical resource group (PRG) size and the virtual resource group (VRB) size. Here, the
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`interleaving size unit (Interleaving Unit Index 1) is dependent on a size of 4 for VRB size and
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`PRBsize).
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`Regarding Claim 15, Nam in view of Tooher discloses the base station according to claim
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`14.
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`Nam further discloses the set of resource allocations further comprises:
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`a fifth resource allocation of interleaving VRBs consecutively numbered (495 & 4101-
`
`106 & Fig. 9, Nam discloses the first set of N consecutive VRBs further comprises a third VRB
`
`(VRB Index 2) and a fourth VRB (VRB Index 3)) and mapping the interleaved VRBs to the PRBs
`
`(195 & 9101-106 & Fig. 9, Nam discloses mapping a third VRB (VRB Index 2) and a fourth VRB
`
`(VRB Index 3) to a fifth PRB (PRB Index 4) and a sixth PRB (PRB Index5)).
`
`However, Nam does not explicitly disclose the positions of which in frequency domain
`
`are indicated by a bitmap.
`
`Tooher teaches the positions of which in frequency domain are indicated by a bitmap
`
`(1193, Tooher teaches using a bitmap indication to indicate how the virtual resource blocks
`
`(VRBs) are mappedto the physical resource blocks (PRBs)).
`
`It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the
`
`invention was filed to modify Nam by requiring that the positions of which in frequency domain
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/652,680
`Art Unit: 2474
`
`Page 16
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`are indicated by a bitmap as taught by Tooher becauseflexible resource control improve the
`
`operation of the wireless transmit receive unit (WTRU) by allowing the WTRU to send or receive
`
`data based on one or more numerology parameters (Tooher, 43).
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`Allowable Subject Matter
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`16.
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`Claims 5 and 13 would be allowable if rewritten to overcome the rejection(s) under 35
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`U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AlA), 2nd paragraph,set forth in this Office action and to
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`include all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
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`Internet Communications
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`17.
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`Applicant is encouraged to submit a written authorization for Internet communications
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`(PTO/SB/439, Skte78
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`patent application to authorize the examiner to communicate with the applicant via email. The
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`authorization will allow the examiner to better practice compact prosecution. The written
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`authorization can be submitted via one of the following methods only: (1) Central Fax which can
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`be found in the Conclusion section of this Office action; (2) regular postal mail; (3) EFS WEB; or
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`(4) the service window on the Alexandria campus. EFS web is the recommended way to submit
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`the form since this allows the form to be entered into the file wrapper within the same day
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`(system dependent). Written authorization submitted via other methods, such as direct fax to
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`the examiner or email, will not be accepted. See MPEP § 502.03.
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/652,680
`Art Unit: 2474
`
`Page 17
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`Conclusion
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`18.
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`Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the
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`examiner should be directed to ERIC NOWLIN whose telephone number is (313)446-6544. The
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`examiner can normally be reached on M-F 10:00AM-10:00PM.
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`Examiner interviews are available via telephone,in-person, and video conferencing
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`using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is
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`encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request(AIR) at
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`http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
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`If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s
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`supervisor, Michael Thier can be reached on (571) 272-2832. The fax phone number for the
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`organization wherethis application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/652,680
`Art Unit: 2474
`
`/ERIC NOWLIN/
`Examiner, Art Unit 2474
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`Page 18
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`