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
`
`16/089,279
`
`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
`
`ALIA, CURTIS A
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`ART UNIT
`
`2414
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`11/12/2020
`
`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)
`
`

`

`Office Action Summary
`
`Application No.
`16/089,279
`
`Examiner
`CURTIS A ALIA
`
`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 27 September 2018.
`C} A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/werefiled on
`
`2a)(J This action is FINAL. 2b)¥)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) 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.
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`1-15 is/are pending in the application.
`)
`Claim(s)
`5a) Of the above claim(s) ___ is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`OO Claim(s) _ is/are allowed.
`Claim(s) 1-15 is/are rejected.
`OJ Claim(s)__is/are objectedto.
`O) 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)C) The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`11) The drawing(s)filed on 27 September 2018 is/are: a)[¥} 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).) Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d)or (f).
`Certified copies:
`cc) None ofthe:
`b)L) Some**
`a)L All
`1..) Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2.1.) Certified copies of the priority documents have beenreceived in Application No.
`3.2.) 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)
`
`Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)
`2)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date___
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`3) ([ 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 20201104
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/089,279
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 2
`
`DETAILED ACTION
`
`Notice of Pre-AlA or AIA Status
`
`1.
`
`The presentapplication, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first
`
`inventor to file provisions of the AIA.
`
`2.
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(f):
`
`Claim Interpretation
`
`(f) Elementin Claim fora Combination. — An elementin aclaim fora combination maybe
`expressed as ameans orstep for performing a specified function without the recital of
`structure, material, or acts in supportthereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the
`corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents
`thereof.
`
`The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
`
`An elementinaclaim fora combination maybe expressed as a meansor step for performing
`a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in supportthereof, and
`suchclaim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts
`describedin the specification and equivalents thereof.
`
`3.
`
`The claims in this application are given their broadest reasonable interpretation using the plain
`
`meaning of the claim language in light of the specification as it would be understood by oneof ordinary
`
`skillin the art. The broadest reasonable interpretation of a claim element (also commonly referred to as a
`
`claim limitation) is limited by the description in the specification when 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AlA 35
`
`U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is invoked.
`
`As explained in MPEP § 2181, subsection |, claim limitations that meet the following three-prong
`
`test will be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
`
`(A)
`
`the claim limitation uses the term “means”or “step” or a term used as a substitute for “means”
`
`that is a generic placeholder(also called a nonce term or a non-structural term having no specific
`
`structural meaning) for performing the claimed function;
`
`(B)
`
`the term “means”or “step” or the generic placeholder is modified by functional language, typically,
`
`but not alwayslinked by the transition word “for” (e.g., “meansfor’) or anotherlinking word or
`
`phrase, such as “configured to”or “so that”; and
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/089,279
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 3
`
`(C)
`
`the term “means”or “step” or the generic placeholderis not modified by sufficient structure,
`
`material, or acts for performing the claimedfunction.
`
`Use of the word “means”(or “step”) in a claim with functional language creates a rebuttable
`
`presumption that the claim limitation is to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AlA 35
`
`U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitationis interpreted under 35 U.S.C.
`
`112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites sufficient
`
`structure, material, or acts to entirely perform the recited function.
`
`Absenceof the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim creates a rebuttable presumption that the
`
`claim limitation is not to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth
`
`paragraph. The presumptionthat the claim limitation is not interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f or pre-AlA
`
`35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when theclaim limitation recites function withoutreciting
`
`sufficient structure, material or acts to entirely perform the recited function.
`
`Claim limitations in this application that use the word “means’”(or “step’”) are being interpreted
`
`under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AlA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an
`
`Office action. Conversely, claim limitations in this application that do not use the word “means” (or “step”)
`
`are not being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AlA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as
`
`otherwise indicated in an Office action.
`
`4.
`
`This application includes one or more claim limitations that do not use the word “means,” but are
`
`nonetheless being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AlA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, because
`
`the claim limitation(s) uses a generic placeholderthat is coupled with functional language withoutreciting
`
`sufficient structure to perform the recited function and the generic placeholderis not preceded by a
`
`structural modifier. Such claim limitation(s) is/are: “mapper” in claims 1 and 13.
`
`Because this/these claim limitation(s) is/are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AlA
`
`35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, it/theyis/are being interpreted to cover the corresponding structure
`
`describedin the specification as performing the claimed function, and equivalents thereof. Pages 43-44
`
`of the Specification describe embodiments including a processor and software implementation.
`
`The mapperwill be interpreted as including the structure of hardware/software as described in
`
`this portion of the Specification.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/089,279
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 4
`
`If applicant does not intend to have this/theselimitation(s) interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or
`
`pre-AlA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, applicant may: (1) amend the claim limitation(s) to avoid it/them
`
`being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AlA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph (e.g., by reciting
`
`sufficient structure to perform the claimed function); or (2) present a sufficient showing that the claim
`
`limitation(s) recite(s) sufficient structure to perform the claimed function so as to avoid it/them being
`
`interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`5.
`
`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 groundof rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale
`
`supporting the rejection, would be the same undereitherstatus.
`
`6.
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basisforall obviousnessrejections
`
`set forth in this Office action:
`
`A patent for a claimed invention maynotbe obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed
`invention is not identicallydisclosed as setforthin section 102, if the differences between the
`claimed invention and the prior artare such thatthe claimed invention as a whole would have
`been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having
`ordinaryskillinthe art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentabilityshall notbe
`negated by the manner in whichthe invention was made.
`
`7.
`
`The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousnessunder 35 U.S.C.
`
`103 are summarizedasfollows:
`
`1. Determining the scope and contentsof thepriorart.
`
`2. Ascertaining the differences betweenthe prior art and the claims at issue.
`
`3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
`
`4. Considering objective evidence presentin the application indicating obviousnessor
`
`nonobviousness.
`
`8.
`
`This application currently namesjoint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the
`
`examiner presumesthat the subject matterof the various claims was commonly ownedasof the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidenceto the contrary. Applicant is advised of the
`
`obligation under 37 CFR 1.56to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/089,279
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 5
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`commonly ownedasof the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider
`
`the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later
`
`invention.
`
`9.
`
`Claims 1, 2, 4-11, and 13-15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yang
`
`et al. (US 2014/0086119) in view of Shen et al. (US 2012/0135773).
`
`Regarding claim 1, Yang discloses an apparatusfor 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 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 (seefig. 7, both BS and UE have FPF units which include receivingcircuitry)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 paragraph 41, control information transmitted in
`
`downlink indicating allocation of resources, especially for uplink/downlink configuration as well as DCI
`
`with synchronization information);
`
`a mapper for mapping user data and/or control data including feedback information in a
`
`transmission time interval, TT], onto one subframe (see paragraph 28, allocated subframes are formed as
`
`TTls of ims, the subframe maybe 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 portionis
`
`received in order to complete synchronization and channel estimation, equivalent to feedback
`
`information); and
`
`a transmitterfor transmitting the mapped cata (seefig. 7, RF unit comprises transmitting circuitry ,
`
`paragraph 21, UE transmitting uplink data and/or control information).
`
`Shen teaches what Yang doesnot explicitly teach: i) the length of a second TTI for mapping onto
`
`the uplink portion of a special subframe is shorter than a first TTI for mapping onto an uplink subframe, or
`
`ii) a first number of TTls mapped onto the uplink subframe is larger than a second numberof TTls for
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/089,279
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 6
`
`mapping onto the uplink portion of a special subframe (seefig. 6 and paragraphs 57-60, special subframe
`
`is split into multiple portions,first duration is a downlink portion, second duration is an uplink portion, and
`
`the guard period is placed betweenthefirst and secondportion, the first portion, second portion, and
`
`guard period mayall be configured flexibly with specific lengths of timeslots, additionally the second
`
`portion of the special subframe is shorter (half as long) than thefull TTI of an UL subframe).
`
`In view of the above,
`
`it would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before
`
`the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the invention of Yang as taught by Shenin order
`
`to maintain forward and backward compatibility of different generation of mobile equipment.
`
`Regarding claim 2, Yang also teachesthat the special subframe configuration takes a value out
`
`of a value set in which a 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 secondvalue indicates length sufficient
`
`to accommodate the data in the second TTI but not datain thefirst TT] (see table 1, various special
`
`subframe configurations, where oneof the configurations is a value out of a value set, each value
`
`associated with lengths of uplink portions identified as symbollengths, normal and extended).
`
`Regarding claim 4, Yang also teaches that 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 (seefig. 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)).
`
`Regarding claim 5, Yang also teachesthat the special subframe configuration takes a value out
`
`of avalue set, wherein some valuesin the setdiffer with respect to the length of the downlink portion,
`
`uplink portion and the length of the TTI (see table 1, various special subframe configurations, with
`
`different combinations of DWPTS, GP and UpPTSportions).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/089,279
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 7
`
`Regarding claim 6, Yang also teachesthat 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 paragraph 34-35, UL-DL configuration including special subframe allocation, paragraph 33, special
`
`subframe configuration), and
`
`Shen then teachesthat 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 (See paragraphs 51-52, identifying transmissions that are configured for MBSFN
`
`transmission and other portions where MBSEN transmissions are not expected).
`
`Regarding claim 7, Yang also teachesthat the special subframe configuration differs for the first
`
`and the secondsets of subframesof the uplink/downlink configuration (see paragraph 51, UL-DL
`
`configuration may changeor be reconfigured with different patterns of UL/DL/S subframes).
`
`Regarding claim 8, Shen also teachesthat 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 paragraph 51, configuring MBSFN solution for LTE Rel8).
`
`Regarding claim 9, Shan also teachesthat the length of the TTIdiffers for the uplink part of a
`
`special subframe and a downlink part of a special subframe (see fig. 6 and paragraphs 57-60, thefirst
`
`portion, second portion, and guard period mayall be configured flexibly with specific lengths of timeslots).
`
`Regarding claim 10, Yang also teachesthat the control signal carrying the special subframe
`
`configuration is transmitted within downlink control information as layer 1/layer 2 signaling (see paragraph
`
`8, identification of the special subframe are defined in the TDD uplink/downlink configuration sent in a
`
`PDCCH signal).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/089,279
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 8
`
`Regarding claim 11, Yang also teachesthe special subframe configuration and the
`
`uplink/downlink configuration are carried in a first field specifying which subframesare special subframes
`
`and a secondfield specifying for the special subframes which symbols belong to uplink and which
`
`symbols belong to downlink (see paragraph8, identification of the special subframe are defined in the
`
`TDD uplink/downlink configuration sent in a PDCCH signal).
`
`Regarding claim 13, Yang discloses an apparatusfor 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 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 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 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 (seefig. 7, both BS and UE have FPF units which include receivingcircuitry)for
`
`receiving data mapped on special subframes according to the special subframe configuration (see
`
`paragraph 21, UE transmitting uplink data and/or control information, eNB receiving the uplink data); and
`
`a mapper for demapping user data and/or control data including feedback information in a
`
`transmission time interval, TTI, from one subframe (See paragraph 28, allocated subframes are formed as
`
`TTls of ims, the subframe maybe 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 portionis
`
`received in order to complete synchronization and channel estimation, equivalent to feedback
`
`information).
`
`Shen teaches what Yang doesnot explicitly teach: i) the length of a second TTI for mapping onto
`
`the uplink portion of a special subframe is shorter than a first TTI for mapping onto an uplink subframe, or
`
`ii) a first number of TTls mapped onto the uplink subframe is larger than a second numberof TTls for
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/089,279
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 9
`
`mapping onto the uplink portion of a special subframe (seefig. 6 and paragraphs 57-60, special subframe
`
`is split into multiple portions,first duration is a downlink portion, second duration is an uplink portion, and
`
`the guard period is placed betweenthefirst and secondportion, the first portion, second portion, and
`
`guard period mayall be configured flexibly with specific lengths of timeslots, additionally the second
`
`portion of the special subframe is shorter (half as long) than thefull TTI of an UL subframe).
`
`In view of the above,
`
`it would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before
`
`the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the invention of Yang as taught by Shenin order
`
`to maintain forward and backward compatibility of different generation of mobile equipment.
`
`Regarding claim 14, Yang discloses a methodfor transmitting 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 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 paragraph 41, control information 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 paragraph 28, allocated subframesare formed as TTls of 1ms, the
`
`subframe may beallocated to downlink, uplink or special subframe, paragraph 32, uplink portion of the
`
`special subframe aretypically transmitted by UE back to eNB after the downlink portionis received in
`
`order to complete synchronization and channel estimation, equivalent to feedback information); and
`
`transmitting the mapped cata (seefig. 7, RF unit comprises transmitting circuitry, paragraph 21,
`
`UE transmitting uplink data and/or control information).
`
`Shen teaches what Yang doesnot explicitly teach: i) the length of a second TTI for mapping onto
`
`the uplink portion of a special subframe is shorter than a first TTI for mapping onto an uplink subframe, or
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/089,279
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 10
`
`ii) a first number of TTls mappedonto the uplink subframe is larger than a second numberof TTlsfor
`
`mapping onto the uplink portion of a special subframe (seefig. 6 and paragraphs 57-60, special subframe
`
`is split into multiple portions,first duration is a downlink portion, second duration is an uplink portion, and
`
`the guard period is placed betweenthefirst and secondportion, the first portion, second portion, and
`
`guard period mayall be configured flexibly with specific lengths of timeslots, additionally the second
`
`portion of the special subframe is shorter (half as long) than thefull TTI of an UL subframe).
`
`In view of the above,
`
`it would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before
`
`the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the invention of Yang as taught by Shenin order
`
`to maintain forward and backward compatibility of different generation of mobile equipment.
`
`Regarding claim 15, Yang discloses a methodfor receiving 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 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 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 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 paragraph 28, allocated subframes are formed as TTls of 1ms, the
`
`subframe may beallocated to downlink, uplink or special subframe, paragraph 32, uplink portion of the
`
`special subframe aretypically transmitted by UE back to eNB after the downlink portionis received in
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`order to complete synchronization and channel estimation, equivalent to feedback information).
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/089,279
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 11
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`Shen teaches what Yang doesnot explicitly teach: i) the length of a second TTI for mapping onto
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`the uplink portion of a special subframe is shorter than a first TTI for mapping onto an uplink subframe, or
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`ii) a first number of TTls mappedonto the uplink subframe is larger than a second numberof TTlsfor
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`mapping onto the uplink portion of a special subframe (seefig. 6 and paragraphs 57-60, special subframe
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`is split into multiple portions,first duration is a downlink portion, second duration is an uplink portion, and
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`the guard period is placed betweenthefirst and secondportion, the first portion, second portion, and
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`guard period mayall be configured flexibly with specific lengths of timeslots, additionally the second
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`portion of the special subframe is shorter (half as long) than thefull TTI of an UL subframe).
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`In view of the above,
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`it would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before
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`the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the invention of Yang as taught by Shenin order
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`to maintain forward and backward compatibility of different generation of mobile equipment.
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`10.
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`Claims 3 and 12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yang and Shen as
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`applied to claim 2 above, and further in view of Yin et al. (US 2013/0083736).
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`Regarding claim 3, Yang also teaches that the mapper is configuredto:
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`map onto the uplink portion physical layer signals including sounding reference signals if the
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`special subframe configuration takesthe first value (see paragraph 32, SRSare typically transmitted in
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`UpPTS, the uplink portion of physical layer signals in the special subframe).
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`Yin teaches what Yang and Shen do not explicitly teach: the mapperis also configured to map
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`onto the uplink portion user data if the special subframe configuration takes the second value (see
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`paragraph81, in type 2 special subframes, the UpPTS portion may accommodate more data, thereby
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`allowing the uplink portion to have data mapped thereon).
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`In view of the above,
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`it would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before
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`the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the invention of Yang and Shen as taught by Yin
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`in order to increase flexibility and efficiency with communication structures discussed by Yin.
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/089,279
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 12
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`Regarding claim 12, Yin teaches what Yang and Shendonot explicitly teach: the uplink portion of
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`the special subframe consists of a data portion onto which userdata and/or control data is mapped within
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`one or more TTls and a signal portion which carries sounding reference signal and/or a random access
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`channel preamble (seefig. 6, uplink portion UpPTS includes PUSCH transmission space, which is the
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`physical channel for transmitting user data from UE to the network).
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`In view of the above,
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`it would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before
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`the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the invention of Yang and Shen as taught by Yin
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`in order to increase flexibility and efficiency with communication structures discussed by Yin.
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`Conclusion
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`11.
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`Application/Control Number: 16/089,279
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 13
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`/Curtis A Alia/
`Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2414
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`