UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`PO. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 2231371450
`www.uspto.gov
`
`16/097,794
`
`10/30/2018
`
`Tetsuya YAMAMOTO
`
`731456.482USPC
`
`5636
`
`Seed IP Law Group LLP/Panason1e (PIPCA)
`701 5th Avenue, Suite 5400
`Seattle, WA 98104
`
`HUI” FRANKO CHIU LAM
`
`ART UNIT
`
`2478
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`02/04/2020
`
`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):
`US PTOeACtion @ SeedIP .Com
`
`pairlinkdktg @ seedip .eom
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`017/09 A0170” Summary
`
`Application No.
`16/097,794
`Examiner
`FRAN KO 0 H Ul
`
`Applicant(s)
`YAMAMOTO et al.
`Art Unit
`AIA (FITF) Status
`2478
`Yes
`
`- The MAILING DA TE of this communication appears on the cover sheet wit/7 the correspondence address -
`Period for Reply
`
`A SHORTENED STATUTORY PERIOD FOR REPLY IS SET TO EXPIRE g MONTHS FROM THE MAILING
`DATE OF THIS COMMUNICATION.
`Extensions of time may be available under the provisions of 37 CFR 1.136(a). In no event, however, may a reply be timely filed after SIX (6) MONTHS from the mailing
`date of this communication.
`|f NO period for reply is specified above, the maximum statutory period will apply and will expire SIX (6) MONTHS from 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, even if timely filed, may reduce any earned patent term
`adjustment. See 37 CFR 1.704(b).
`
`Status
`
`1). Responsive to communication(s) filed on 20 April 2017.
`El A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/were filed on
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`2a)[:] This action is FINAL.
`
`2b)
`
`This action is non-final.
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`3)[:] An election was made by the applicant in response to 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 Expade Quay/e, 1935 CD. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`
`5)
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`Claim(s)
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`14—29 is/are pending in the application.
`
`5a) Of the above claim(s)
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`is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`
`
`
`[:1 Claim(ss)
`
`is/are allowed.
`
`8)
`Claim(s 1_4—29 Is/are rejected
`
`D Claim(ss_) is/are objected to.
`
`) ) ) )
`
`S)
`are subject to restriction and/or election requirement
`[:1 Claim(s
`* If any claims have been determined aflowable. you may be eligible to benefit from the Patent Prosecution Highway program at a
`
`participating intellectual property office for the corresponding application. For more information, please see
`
`http://www.uspto.gov/patents/init events/pph/index.jsp or send an inquiry to PPeredback@uspto.gov.
`
`Application Papers
`
`10)|:l The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`
`is/are: a)[] accepted or b)l:] objected to by the Examiner.
`11)[:] The drawing(s) filed on
`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:
`
`a). All
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`b)|:] Some**
`
`c)l:i None of the:
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`1.. Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`
`2C] Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No.
`
`3D 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_
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`3) E] Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`4) CI Other-
`
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mai| Date 20200123
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/097,794
`Art Unit: 2478
`
`Page 2
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`DETAILED ACTION
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`Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
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`1. The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the
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`first inventor to file provisions of the AIA.
`
`Claim Interpretation
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`2. The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C.112(f):
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`(f) Element in Claim for a Combination. —An element in a claim for a
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`combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified
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`function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and
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`such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or
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`acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
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`The following is a quotation of pre—AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
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`An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or
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`step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure,
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`material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover
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`the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and
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`equivalents thereof.
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`3. The claims in this application are given their broadest reasonable interpretation using
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`the plain meaning of the claim language in light of the specification as it would be
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`understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The broadest reasonable interpretation of
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/097,794
`Art Unit: 2478
`
`Page 3
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`a claim element (also commonly referred to as a claim limitation) is limited by the
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`description in the specification when 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre—AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth
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`paragraph, is invoked.
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`As explained in MPEP § 2181, subsection I, claim limitations that meet the
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`following three—prong test will be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre—AIA 35 U.S.C.
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`112, sixth paragraph:
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`A.
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`the claim limitation uses the term ”means” or ”step” or a term
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`used as a substitute for ”means” that is a generic placeholder
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`(also called a nonce term or a non—structural term having no
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`specific structural meaning) for performing the claimed function;
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`B.
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`the term ”means” or ”step” or the generic placeholder is modified
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`by functional language, typically, but not always linked by the
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`transition word ”for” (e.g., ”means for") or another linking word
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`or phrase, such as ”configured to" or ”so that"; and
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`C.
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`the term ”means” or ”step” or the generic placeholder is not
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`modified by sufficient structure, material, or acts for performing
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`the claimed function.
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`Use of the word ”means” (or ”step") in a claim with functional language
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`creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is to be treated in
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`accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre—AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The
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`presumption that the claim limitation is interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or
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`pre—AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/097,794
`Art Unit: 2478
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`Page 4
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`recites sufficient structure, material, or acts to entirely perform the recited
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`function.
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`Absence ofthe word ”means” (or ”step") in a claim creates a rebuttable
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`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 presumption that the
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`claim limitation is not interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre—AIA 35 U.S.C.
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`112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites function
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`without reciting sufficient structure, material or acts to entirely perform the
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`recited function.
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`Claim limitations in this application that use the word ”means” (or ”step")
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`are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre—AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth
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`paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action. Conversely, claim
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`limitations in this application that do not use the word ”means” (or ”step") are
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`not being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre—AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth
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`paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action.
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`4. This application includes one or more claim limitations that do not use the word
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`”means,” but are nonetheless being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre—AIA 35
`
`U.S.C.112, sixth paragraph, because the claim limitation(s) uses a generic placeholder
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`that is coupled with functional language without reciting sufficient structure to perform
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`the recited function and the generic placeholder is not preceded by a structural
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`modifier. Such claim limitation(s) is: ”signal assignment unit configured to assign" in
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`claim 21.
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`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/097,794
`Art Unit: 2478
`
`Page 5
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`Because this/these claim |imitation(s) is/are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C.
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`112(f) or pre—AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, it/they is/are being interpreted to cover
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`the corresponding structure described in the specification as performing the claimed
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`function, and equivalents thereof.
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`|f applicant does not intend to have this/these |imitation(s) interpreted under 35
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`U.S.C. 112(f) or pre—AIA 35 U.S.C.112, sixth paragraph, applicant may: (1) amend the
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`claim |imitation(s) to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre—AIA
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`35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph (e.g., by reciting sufficient structure to perform the
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`claimed function); or (2) present a sufficient showing that the claim |imitation(s)
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`recite(s) sufficient structure to perform the claimed function so as to avoid it/them
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`being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre—AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph.
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`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
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`5. The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C.112(b):
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`(b) CONCLUSION—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims
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`particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the
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`inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
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`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C.112(pre—A|A), second paragraph:
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`The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out
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`and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his
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`invention.
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/097,794
`Art Unit: 2478
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`Page 6
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`6. Claims 14, 21, 22 and 29 rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre—AIA),
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`second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly
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`claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor, or for pre—AIA the
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`applicant regards as the invention.
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`Claim 14 recites the limitation "the amount of uplink time resource" in line 5.
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`There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
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`Claim 21 recites the limitation "the amount of uplink time resource" in line 6.
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`There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
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`Claim 22 recites the limitation "the amount of uplink time resource" in line 5.
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`There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
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`Claim 29 recites the limitation "the amount of uplink time resource" in line 6.
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`There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
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`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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`7.
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`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—AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any
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`correction of the statutory basis for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of
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`rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would
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`be the same under either status.
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`8. The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C.102 that form
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`the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/097,794
`Art Unit: 2478
`
`Page 7
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`A person shall be entitled to a patent unless —
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`(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151,
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`or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section
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`122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another
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`inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed
`
`invention.
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`9. Claim(s) 14-17, 21-25 and 29 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being
`
`anticipated by Peng Hao et al. (PGPUB No US 2019/0200384 A1; hereinafter, Hao).
`
`Regarding claim 14, Hao teaches:
`
`A base station (Hao: [0147]-[0148] a base station schedules terminal to
`
`transmit in a self-contained sub-frame. Fig.2 or 5A) com prising:
`
`a controller, which, in operation, when communicating with a terminal using a
`
`time unit including a downlink time resource for a downlink control signal, a downlink
`
`time resource assigned for downlink data by the downlink control signal, and an uplink
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`time resource for a response signal for the downlink data, (Hao: Fig.5A, [0137],[0148], a
`
`self-contained sub-frame (=time unit) including DL Ctrl (=downlink control), downlink
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`data and UL Ctrl (uplink control))
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`sets the amount of the uplink time resource used by the terminal for
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`transmission of the response signal to be larger as the time unit is longer; (Hao; Fig 5C,
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/097,794
`Art Unit: 2478
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`Page 8
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`[0137] when the sub-frame is stretched (=time unit longer), the uplink control
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`region(UL Ctrl) also stretched (=larger); and
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`a transmitter, which, in operation, transmits time unit information including the
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`determined amount of the uplink time resource to the terminal; (Hao,[0165][0167]-
`
`[0170]), base station transmits resource unit of the stretched sub-frame to the
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`terminal, the resource unit comprising length of the uplink control region, see[0023]-
`
`[0024])
`
`Regarding claim 15, Hao teaches:
`
`The base station according to claim 14, comprising a receiver, which, in
`
`operation, receives the response signal for the downlink data in the time unit at a
`
`constant time interval from the terminal; (Hao, [0129],[0137], Fig.2, Fig.4, Fig.5A, the
`
`terminal transmits the response signal (UL Ctrl) at the same time interval of one sub-
`
`frame).
`
`Regarding claim 16, Hao teaches:
`
`The base station according to claim 14, wherein the transmitter transmits, as the
`
`time unit information, information indicating the length ofthe time unit. (Hao, [0021]-
`
`[0024], Fig.5A and Fig. 53, the base station indicates the length of the resource
`
`allocation unit).
`
`Regarding Claim 17, Hao teaches:
`
`The base station according to claim 14, wherein the amount of the uplink time
`
`resource in each time unit is a fixed value. (Hao, [0137], Fig.5A and Fig.53, the amount
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/097,794
`Art Unit: 2478
`
`Page 9
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`of the uplink time resource (UL Ctr!) in each time unit (either one basic sub-frame or
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`twice of a length of one basic sub frame) is fixed.)
`
`Regarding Claim 21, Hao teaches:
`
`A terminal (Hao; [OO42]-[OO44], a terminal receives a predetermined signal
`
`from a base station. The predetermined signal may include an access configuration set
`
`signal) comprising:
`
`a receiver, which, in operation, when communicating with a base station using a
`
`time unit including a downlink time resource for a downlink control signal, a downlink
`
`time resource assigned for downlink data by the downlink control signal, and an uplink
`
`time resource for a response signal for the downlink data, (Hao: Fig.5A, [0137],[0148], a
`
`self-contained sub-frame (=time unit) including DL Ctrl (=downlink control), downlink
`
`data and UL Ctrl (uplink control))
`
`receives time unit information related to the amount of the uplink time resource
`
`used for transmission of the response signal; and ; (Hao, [0125-0126], the terminal
`
`acquires at least one of relevant information regarding an internal region of the
`
`transmission resources and relevant configuration information regarding uplink and
`
`downlink resource.)
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`a signal assignment unit configured to assign the response signal to the uplink
`
`time resource indicated by the time unit information, wherein the amount of the uplink
`
`time resource is set to be larger as the time unit is longer; (Hao; Fig SC, [0137] when
`
`the sub-frame is stretched (=time unit longer), the uplink control region(UL Ctrl) also
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/097,794
`Art Unit: 2478
`
`Page 10
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`stretched (=Iarger). Base station sends PDDCH and PDSCH to terminal. Terminal
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`decodes the PDCCH to obtain information related to frequency assignment and other
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`parameters. In addition, terminal performs CRC for downlink data and feeds back ACK
`
`or NACK (response signal) to base station through PUCCH.).
`
`Regarding Claim 22, Hao teaches:
`
`A communication method (Hao, [0238] The method includes: transmitting or
`
`receiving a signal on wireless resources, where the wireless resources are formed by
`
`stretching or compressing a basic resource allocation unit.) comprising:
`
`setting, when communicating with a terminal using a time unit including a
`
`downlink time resource for a downlink control signal, a downlink time resource assigned
`
`for downlink data by the downlink control signal, and an uplink time resource for a
`
`response signal for the downlink data, , (Hao: Fig.5A, [0137],[0148], a self-contained
`
`sub-frame (=time unit) including DL Ctrl (=downlink control), downlink data and UL Ctrl
`
`(uplink control),
`
`the amount of the uplink time resource used by the terminal for transmission of
`
`the response signal to be larger as the time unit is longer; (Hao; Fig SC, [0137] when the
`
`sub-frame is stretched (=time unit longer), the uplink control region(UL Ctrl) also
`
`stretched (=Iarger)) and
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`transmitting time unit information related to the determined amount ofthe
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`uplink time resource to the terminal; (Hao,[0165][0167]-[0170]), base station
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/097,794
`Art Unit: 2478
`
`Page 11
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`transmits resource unit of the stretched sub-frame to the terminal, the resource unit
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`comprising length of the uplink control region, see[0023]-[0024])
`
`Regarding 23, Hao teaches:
`
`The communication method according to claim 22, comprising receiving the
`
`response signal for the downlink data in the time unit at a constant time interval from
`
`the terminal. (Hao, [0129],[0137], Fig.2, Fig.4, Fig.5A, the terminal transmits the
`
`response signal (UL Ctrl) at the same time interval of one sub-frame)
`
`Regarding 24, Hao teaches:
`
`The communication method according to claim 22, wherein, as the time unit
`
`information, information indicating the length ofthe time unit is transmitted. (Hao,
`
`[0021]-[0024], Fig.5A and Fig.53, the base station indicates the length of the resource
`
`allocation unit).
`
`Regarding 25, Hao teaches:
`
`The communication method according to claim 22, wherein the amount of the
`
`uplink time resource in each time unit is a fixed value. (Hao, [0137], Fig.5A and Fig.53,
`
`the amount of the uplink time resource (UL Ctr!) in each time unit (either one basic
`
`sub-frame or twice of a length of one basic sub frame) is fixed.)
`
`Regarding Claim 29, Hao teaches:
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/097,794
`Art Unit: 2478
`
`Page 12
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`A communication method (Hao, [0238] The method includes: transmitting or
`
`receiving a signal on wireless resources, where the wireless resources are formed by
`
`stretching or compressing a basic resource allocation unit.) comprising:
`
`receiving, when communicating with a base station using a time unit including a
`
`downlink time resource for a downlink control signal, a downlink time resource assigned
`
`for downlink data by the downlink control signal, and an uplink time resource for a
`
`response signal for the downlink data, , (Hao: Fig.5A, [0137],[0148], a self-contained
`
`sub-frame (=time unit) including DL Ctrl (=downlink control), downlink data and UL Ctrl
`
`(uplink control), and
`
`time unit information related to the amount of the uplink time resource used by
`
`for transmission of the response signal (Hao, [0125-0126], the terminal acquires at
`
`least one of relevant information regarding an internal region of the transmission
`
`resources and relevant configuration information regarding uplink and downlink
`
`resource.) a nd
`
`assigning the response signal to the uplink time resource indicated by the time
`
`unit information wherein the amount of the uplink time resource is set to be large as
`
`the time unit is longer; (Hao; Fig SC, [0137] when the sub-frame is stretched (=time unit
`
`longer), the uplink control region(UL Ctrl) also stretched (=larger). Base station sends
`
`PDDCH and PDSCH to terminal. Terminal decodes the PDCCH to obtain information
`
`related to frequency assignment and other parameters. In addition, terminal performs
`
`CRC for downlink data and feeds back ACK or NACK (response signal) to base station
`
`through PUCCH.)
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/097,794
`Art Unit: 2478
`
`Page 13
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`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`10. 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,
`
`ifthe 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.
`
`11. This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability ofthe
`
`claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was
`
`commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any
`
`evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised ofthe obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to
`
`point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly
`
`owned as of 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.
`
`12. Claims 18 and 26 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hao in
`
`further view of Park (PGPUB No US 2015/0208391 A1; hereinafter, Park).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/097,794
`Art Unit: 2478
`
`Page 14
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`Regarding Claim 18, claim 14 is rejected as above.
`
`Hao does not explicitly teach:
`
`The base station according to claim 14, wherein the transmitter transmits the
`
`time unit information by a cell—specific notification.
`
`Park teaches
`
`The base station according to claim 14, wherein the transmitter transmits the
`
`time unit information by a cell—specific notification; (Park, Fig.2, Fig.3, [0034][0141], A
`
`base station transmits a Radio Resource Control parameter NPUCCH through cell-
`
`specific higher layer signaling for the uplink HARQ ACK/NACK resource mapping may
`
`be equally applied to all the UEs in a corresponding cell)
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to modify the teaching of Hao wherein the
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`transmitter transmits the time unit information by a cell—specific notification as
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`disclosed by Park to provide a system for transmitting uplink resource for HARQ
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`ACK/NACK (see Paragraph 0141 of Park).
`
`Regarding Claim 26, claim 22 is rejected as above.
`
`Hao does not explicitly teach:
`
`The communication method according to claim 22, wherein the time unit
`
`information is transmitted by a cell—specific notification.
`
`Park teaches
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/097,794
`Art Unit: 2478
`
`Page 15
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`The communication method according to claim 22, wherein the time unit
`
`information is transmitted by a cell—specific notification. (Park, Fig.2, Fig.3,
`
`[0034][0141], A base station transmits a Radio Resource Control parameter NPUCCH
`
`through cell-specific higher layer signaling for the uplink HARQ ACK/NACK resource
`
`mapping may be equally applied to all the UEs in a corresponding cell)
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to modify the teaching of Hao wherein the
`
`transmitter transmits the time unit information by a cell—specific notification as
`
`disclosed by Park to provide a system for transmitting uplink resource for HARQ
`
`ACK/NACK (see Paragraph 0141 of Park).
`
`13.
`
`Claims 19 and 27 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hao in
`
`further view of Pelletier et al. (PGPUB No US 2013/0028069 A1; hereinafter, Pelletier)
`
`Regarding 19, claim 14 is rejected as above.
`
`Hao does not explicitly teach:
`
`The base station according to claim 14, wherein the transmission transmits the
`
`time unit information by a radio access technology (RAT) specific notification.
`
`Pelletier teaches
`
`The base station according to claim 14, wherein the transmission transmits the
`
`time unit information by a radio access technology (RAT) specific notification; (Pelletier,
`
`[0101], ”use a single RRC connection for all configured RA Ts, a WTRU may receive RRC
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/097,794
`Art Unit: 2478
`
`Page 16
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`messages and configuration parameters regarding the SRAT via SRAT IEs that are
`
`piggybacked inside RRC PDUs of the PRAT”)
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to modify the teaching of Hao wherein the
`
`transmission transmits the time unit information by a radio access technology (RAT)
`
`specific notification as disclosed by Pelletier to provide a multi—RAT communication
`
`system for a terminal (see abstract of Pelletier).
`
`Regarding 27, claim 22 is rejected as above.
`
`Hao does not explicitly teach:
`
`The communication method according to claim 22, wherein the time unit information is
`
`transmitted by a radio access technology (RAT)—specific notification.
`
`Pelletier teaches
`
`The communication method according to claim 22, wherein the time unit
`
`information is transmitted by a radio access technology (RAT)—specific notification;
`
`(Pelletier, [0101], ”use a single RRC connection for all configured RA Ts, a WTRU may
`
`receive RRC messages and configuration parameters regarding the SRAT via SRAT IEs
`
`that are piggybacked inside RRC PDUs of the PRA T”)
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to modify the teaching of Hao wherein the
`
`transmission transmits the time unit information by a radio access technology (RAT)
`
`specific notification to provide a multi—RAT communication system for a terminal as
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/097,794
`Art Unit: 2478
`
`Page 17
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`disclosed by Pelletier to provide a multi—RAT communication system for a terminal (see
`
`abstract of Pelletier).
`
`Claims 20 and 28 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hao in
`
`further view of Wang et al. (PGPUB No US 2014/0119335 A1; hereinafter, Wang)
`
`Regarding Claim 20, claim 14 is rejected as above.
`
`Hao does not explicitly teach:
`
`The base station according to claim 14, wherein the transmitter transmits the
`
`time unit information by a user equipment (UE)—specific notification.
`
`Wang teaches
`
`The base station according to claim 14, wherein the transmitter transmits the
`
`time unit information by a user equipment (UE)—specific notification (Wang,
`
`[0010] [0013])
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to modify the teaching of Hao wherein the
`
`transmitter transmits the time unit information by a user equipment (UE)—specific
`
`notification. Wang teaches to send downlink message to specific UE through UE—specific
`
`message as disclosed by Wang to provide a system for searching downlink control
`
`signalling (see abstract of Wang).
`
`Regarding Claim 28, claim 22 is rejected as above.
`
`Hao does not explicitly teach:
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/097,794
`Art Unit: 2478
`
`Page 18
`
`The communication method according to claim 22, wherein the time unit
`
`information is transmitted by a user equipment (UE)—specific notification.
`
`Wang teaches
`
`The communication method according to claim 22, wherein the time unit
`
`information is transmitted by a user equipment (UE)—specific notification (Wang,
`
`[0010][0013])
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to modify the teaching of Hao wherein the time unit
`
`information is transmitted by a user equipment (UE)—specific notification. Wang teaches
`
`to send downlink message to specific UE through UE—specific message as disclosed by
`
`Wang to provide a system for searching downlink control signalling (see abstract of
`
`Wang).
`
`Conclusion
`
`14.
`
`Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the
`
`examiner should be directed to FRANKO C HUI whose telephone number is (571)270—
`
`3130. The examiner can normally be reached on 9 AM to 7 PM M—Th.
`
`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 encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at
`
`http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/097,794
`Art Unit: 2478
`
`Page 19
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`If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s
`
`supervisor, Edan Orgad can be reached on 571-272-7884. The fax phone number for
`
`the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571—273—8300.
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`Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for
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`1000.
`
`/F.C.H./
`
`Examiner, Art Unit 2478
`
`/KODZOVI ACOLATSE/
`
`Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2478
`
`