DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 12/04/2025 has been entered.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) 1, 4-5, 7, 10, 12, 14-15 and 17 have been considered but are moot based on new grounds of rejections.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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 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.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the 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 of the 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.
Claim(s) 1, 4-5, 7, 12, 14-15 and 17 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Maleki et al. (US 2022/0174603; hereinafter Maleki) in view of Nader et al. (US 2022/0279479; hereinafter Nader). Note: Subject matter relied upon in the rejection is supported in provisional applications 62/827,761 of Maleki and 62/881,680 of Nader.
Regarding claim 1, Maleki shows a communication apparatus (Figures 8-9 shows a UE performing the disclosed method of Figure 6.), comprising:
a transceiver (Figures 8-9; RF transceiver.) which, in operation, receives at least one physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), which includes a paging indication (Figure 6; Par. 0106; UE receives a paging indication on the PDCCH.); and
circuitry (Figure 8; noted various circuitry of UE.) which, in operation, determines an allocation of a paging occasion based on the paging indication (Figure 6; Par. 0106; determines, while in the sleep mode, whether the wireless device is to receive a paging message corresponding to the paging indication.) wherein:
the paging indication indicates either a first value or a second value different from the first value for each UE group of a plurality of UE groups for the communication apparatus (Figure 6; Par. 0080, 0106; the wireless device determines, while in the sleep mode, whether the wireless device is to receive a paging message corresponding to the paging indication. This determination is based on whether the UE's P-RNTI or GP-RNTI matches that of the paging indication. Group P-RNTI (GP-RNTI) approach involves configuring different sets of one or more UEs with different GP-RNTIs, and the network includes in the paging indications on PDCCH the appropriate one of the GP-RNTIs for the set of UEs that it is paging.),
when the paging indication indicates the first value, the paging occasion is to occur and is not monitored (Figure 6; Par. 0106; if the wireless device determines that is it is not to receive the paging message corresponding to the paging indication (e.g., because there is no P-RNTI or GP-RNTI match), in step 640, the wireless device stays in the sleep mode or transitions to a deeper sleep mode (e.g., until the next paging occasion).), and
when the paging indication indicates the second value, the paging occasion is to occur and is monitored (Figure 6; Par. 0106; if the wireless device determines that it is to receive the paging message corresponding to the paging indication (e.g., because there is a P-RNTI or GP-RNTI match), in step 650, the wireless device transitions to an awake mode before the paging message corresponding to the paging indication is to be transmitted by the base station to receive the paging message.).
Maleki shows all of the elements except a paging occasion monitored for paging downlink control information (DCI) based on the paging occasion.
However, the above-mentioned claim limitations are well-established in the art as evidenced by Nader. Specifically, Nader shows a paging occasion monitored for paging downlink control information (DCI) based on the paging occasion (Par. 0095; a UE, upon paging network temporary identifier (P-RNTI) PDCCH detection, to determine whether it belongs to a relevant subgroup being paged. For example, explicit grouping indicators can be included in paging DCI on PDCCH.).
In view of the above, having the system of Maleki, then given the well-established teaching of Nader, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Maleki as taught by Nader, in order to provide motivation for improving UE power consumption while maintaining other aspects of UE and/or network performance at acceptable levels (Par. 0093 of Nader).
Regarding claim 4, modified Maleki shows wherein the paging occasion is configured via Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling (Maleki: Par. 0090-0091; paging message configured via RRC signaling.), and the at least one PDCCH indicates enabling or disabling the configured paging occasion (Maleki: Figure 6; Par. 0106; If the wireless device determines that is it is not to receive the paging message corresponding to the paging indication (e.g., because there is no P-RNTI or GP-RNTI match), in step 640, the wireless device stays in the sleep mode or transitions to a deeper sleep mode (e.g., until the next paging occasion). However, if the wireless device determines that it is to receive the paging message corresponding to the paging indication (e.g., because there is a P-RNTI or GP-RNTI match), in step 650, the wireless device transitions to an awake mode before the paging message corresponding to the paging indication is to be transmitted by the base station to receive the paging message.).
Regarding claim 5, modified Maleki shows wherein the circuitry, in operation, determines that the paging DCI is allocated to the configured paging occasion unless the at least one PDCCH indicates that allocation of the paging DCI to the configured paging occasion is disabled (Maleki: Figure 6; Par. 0106; If the wireless device determines that is it is not to receive the paging message corresponding to the paging indication (e.g., because there is no P-RNTI or GP-RNTI match), in step 640, the wireless device stays in the sleep mode or transitions to a deeper sleep mode (e.g., until the next paging occasion).).
Regarding claim 7, modified Maleki shows wherein the circuitry, in operation, determines that the paging DCI is allocated to the configured paging occasion if the at least one PDCCH indicates that allocation of the paging DCI to the configured paging occasion is enabled (Maleki: Figure 6; Par. 0106; if the wireless device determines that it is to receive the paging message corresponding to the paging indication (e.g., because there is a P-RNTI or GP-RNTI match), in step 650, the wireless device transitions to an awake mode before the paging message corresponding to the paging indication is to be transmitted by the base station to receive the paging message.).
Regarding claim 12, Maleki shows a scheduling node (Figure 8 shows a network node/base station performing in part the disclosed method of Figure 7.), comprising:
circuitry (Figure 8; noted various circuitry of the base station.) which, in operation, performs allocation of a paging occasion be monitored by a communication apparatus, and generates at least one physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), which includes a paging indication (Figure 7; Par. 0106-0107; the base station generates and transmits a paging indication on the PDCCH to a set of wireless devices.); and
a transceiver (Figure 8; RF transceiver.) which, in operation, transmits the at least one PDCCH (Figure 7; Par. 0106-0107; the base station generates and transmits a paging indication on the PDCCH to a set of wireless devices.), wherein:
the paging indication indicates either a first value or a second value different from the first value for each UE group of a plurality of UE groups for the communication apparatus (Figure 6; Par. 0080, 0106; the wireless device determines, while in the sleep mode, whether the wireless device is to receive a paging message corresponding to the paging indication. This determination is based on whether the UE's P-RNTI or GP-RNTI matches that of the paging indication. Group P-RNTI (GP-RNTI) approach involves configuring different sets of one or more UEs with different GP-RNTIs, and the network includes in the paging indications on PDCCH the appropriate one of the GP-RNTIs for the set of UEs that it is paging.),
when the paging indication indicates the first value, the paging occasion is to occur and is not monitored (Figure 6; Par. 0106; if the wireless device determines that is it is not to receive the paging message corresponding to the paging indication (e.g., because there is no P-RNTI or GP-RNTI match), in step 640, the wireless device stays in the sleep mode or transitions to a deeper sleep mode (e.g., until the next paging occasion).), and
when the paging indication indicates the second value, the paging occasion is to occur and is monitored (Figure 6; Par. 0106; if the wireless device determines that it is to receive the paging message corresponding to the paging indication (e.g., because there is a P-RNTI or GP-RNTI match), in step 650, the wireless device transitions to an awake mode before the paging message corresponding to the paging indication is to be transmitted by the base station to receive the paging message.).
Maleki shows all of the elements except performs transmission of the paging DCI in accordance with the allocation of the paging occasion.
However, the above-mentioned claim limitations are well-established in the art as evidenced by Nader. Specifically, Nader shows performs transmission of the paging DCI in accordance with the allocation of the paging occasion (Par. 0095; a UE, upon paging network temporary identifier (P-RNTI) PDCCH detection, to determine whether it belongs to a relevant subgroup being paged. For example, explicit grouping indicators can be included in paging DCI on PDCCH.).
In view of the above, having the system of Maleki, then given the well-established teaching of Nader, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Maleki as taught by Nader, in order to provide motivation for improving UE power consumption while maintaining other aspects of UE and/or network performance at acceptable levels (Par. 0093 of Nader).
Regarding claim 14, Maleki shows a paging method (Figure 6 shows a method performed by a UE.) to be performed by a communication apparatus, comprising:
receiving at least one physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) which includes a paging indication (Figure 6; Par. 0106; UE receives a paging indication on the PDCCH.); and
determining an allocation of a paging occasion based on the paging indication (Figure 6; Par. 0106; determines, while in the sleep mode, whether the wireless device is to receive a paging message corresponding to the paging indication.), wherein:
the paging indication indicates either a first value or a second value different from the first value for each UE group of a plurality of UE groups for the communication apparatus (Figure 6; Par. 0080, 0106; the wireless device determines, while in the sleep mode, whether the wireless device is to receive a paging message corresponding to the paging indication. This determination is based on whether the UE's P-RNTI or GP-RNTI matches that of the paging indication. Group P-RNTI (GP-RNTI) approach involves configuring different sets of one or more UEs with different GP-RNTIs, and the network includes in the paging indications on PDCCH the appropriate one of the GP-RNTIs for the set of UEs that it is paging.),
when the paging indication indicates the first value, the paging occasion is to occur and is not monitored (Figure 6; Par. 0106; if the wireless device determines that is it is not to receive the paging message corresponding to the paging indication (e.g., because there is no P-RNTI or GP-RNTI match), in step 640, the wireless device stays in the sleep mode or transitions to a deeper sleep mode (e.g., until the next paging occasion).), and
when the paging indication indicates the second value, the paging occasion is to occur and is monitored (Figure 6; Par. 0106; if the wireless device determines that it is to receive the paging message corresponding to the paging indication (e.g., because there is a P-RNTI or GP-RNTI match), in step 650, the wireless device transitions to an awake mode before the paging message corresponding to the paging indication is to be transmitted by the base station to receive the paging message.).
Maleki shows all of the elements except a paging occasion monitored for paging downlink control information (DCI) based on the paging occasion.
However, the above-mentioned claim limitations are well-established in the art as evidenced by Nader. Specifically, Nader shows a paging occasion monitored for paging downlink control information (DCI) based on the paging occasion (Par. 0095; a UE, upon paging network temporary identifier (P-RNTI) PDCCH detection, to determine whether it belongs to a relevant subgroup being paged. For example, explicit grouping indicators can be included in paging DCI on PDCCH.).
In view of the above, having the system of Maleki, then given the well-established teaching of Nader, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Maleki as taught by Nader, in order to provide motivation for improving UE power consumption while maintaining other aspects of UE and/or network performance at acceptable levels (Par. 0093 of Nader).
Regarding claim 15, Maleki shows a paging method (Figure 7 shows a method performed by a base station.) to be performed by a scheduling node, comprising:
performing allocation of a paging occasion monitored by a communication apparatus (Figure 7; Par. 0106-0107; the base station generates and transmits a paging indication on the PDCCH to a set of wireless devices.);
generating at least one physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) which includes a paging indication (Figure 7; Par. 0106-0107; the base station generates and transmits a paging indication on the PDCCH to a set of wireless devices.);
transmitting the at least one PDCCH (Figure 7; Par. 0106-0107; the base station generates and transmits a paging indication on the PDCCH to a set of wireless devices.); and
performing transmission in accordance with the allocation of the paging occasion (Figure 7; Par. 0106-0107; the base station generates and transmits a paging indication on the PDCCH to a set of wireless devices.), wherein:
the paging indication indicates either a first value or a second value different from the first value for each UE group of a plurality of UE groups for the communication apparatus (Figure 6; Par. 0080, 0106; the wireless device determines, while in the sleep mode, whether the wireless device is to receive a paging message corresponding to the paging indication. This determination is based on whether the UE's P-RNTI or GP-RNTI matches that of the paging indication. Group P-RNTI (GP-RNTI) approach involves configuring different sets of one or more UEs with different GP-RNTIs, and the network includes in the paging indications on PDCCH the appropriate one of the GP-RNTIs for the set of UEs that it is paging.),
when the paging indication indicates the first value, the paging occasion is to occur and is not monitored (Figure 6; Par. 0106; if the wireless device determines that is it is not to receive the paging message corresponding to the paging indication (e.g., because there is no P-RNTI or GP-RNTI match), in step 640, the wireless device stays in the sleep mode or transitions to a deeper sleep mode (e.g., until the next paging occasion).), and
when the paging indication indicates the second value, the paging occasion is to occur and is monitored (Figure 6; Par. 0106; if the wireless device determines that it is to receive the paging message corresponding to the paging indication (e.g., because there is a P-RNTI or GP-RNTI match), in step 650, the wireless device transitions to an awake mode before the paging message corresponding to the paging indication is to be transmitted by the base station to receive the paging message.).
Maleki shows all of the elements except performs transmission of the paging DCI in accordance with the allocation of the paging occasion.
However, the above-mentioned claim limitations are well-established in the art as evidenced by Nader. Specifically, Nader shows performs transmission of the paging DCI in accordance with the allocation of the paging occasion (Par. 0095; a UE, upon paging network temporary identifier (P-RNTI) PDCCH detection, to determine whether it belongs to a relevant subgroup being paged. For example, explicit grouping indicators can be included in paging DCI on PDCCH.).
In view of the above, having the system of Maleki, then given the well-established teaching of Nader, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Maleki as taught by Nader, in order to provide motivation for improving UE power consumption while maintaining other aspects of UE and/or network performance at acceptable levels (Par. 0093 of Nader).
Regarding claim 17, modified Maleki shows wherein the paging occasion corresponds to the UE groups for the communication apparatus associated with an identifier of the communication apparatus (Maleki: Figure 6; Par. 0080, 0106; the wireless device determines, while in the sleep mode, whether the wireless device is to receive a paging message corresponding to the paging indication. This determination is based on whether the UE's P-RNTI or GP-RNTI matches that of the paging indication. Group P-RNTI (GP-RNTI) approach involves configuring different sets of one or more UEs with different GP-RNTIs, and the network includes in the paging indications on PDCCH the appropriate one of the GP-RNTIs for the set of UEs that it is paging.), and the at least one PDCCH indicates whether or not the UE groups for the communication apparatus are enabled (Maleki: Figure 6; Par. 0106; if the wireless device determines that it is to receive the paging message corresponding to the paging indication (e.g., because there is a P-RNTI or GP-RNTI match), in step 650, the wireless device transitions to an awake mode before the paging message corresponding to the paging indication is to be transmitted by the base station to receive the paging message.).
Claim(s) 10 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Maleki in view of Nader and Wigard et al. (US 2022/0225270; hereinafter Wigard). Note: Subject matter relied upon in the rejection is supported in provisional application 62/840,545 of Wigard.
Regarding claim 10, modified Maleki shows all of the elements except wherein the at least one PDCCH is a beam-specific PDCCH transmitted on one beam out of a plurality of beams swept by the scheduling node, and the allocation of the at least one downlink symbol which the circuitry determines to be the paging time occasion to be monitored is beam-specific.
However, the above-mentioned claim limitations are well-established in the art as evidenced by Wigard. Specifically, Wigard shows wherein the at least one PDCCH is a beam-specific PDCCH transmitted on one beam out of a plurality of beams swept by the scheduling node, and the allocation of the at least one downlink symbol which the circuitry determines to be the paging time occasion to be monitored is beam-specific (Figure 3; Par. 0035-0036, 0073-0075; the UE 10 is able to determine with calculations, such as beam order calculations, using information from a network node that its PO is during beam Bx4 of the PO 210 sequence as provided from the network node. Further, as shown in item 230 of FIG. 3 the calculations lead the UE 10 to listen to only beam Bx4 of PO 210 while remaining asleep at other times during the DRX cycle 205. Paging indication on the PDCCH is single fixed indicator such as with a hexadecimal value of (FFFE) that called the Paging RNTI (P-RNTI). Different groups of UEs monitor different sub frames for their paging messages. UEs in idle mode monitor the PDCCH channel using their P-RNTI to receive paging message from eNB. The UE needs to monitor the PDCCH only at certain UE specific paging occasion, i.e. only at specific subframe in specific radio frame. At other times the UE may go for sleep mode to save battery power.).
In view of the above, having the system of Maleki, then given the well-established teaching of Wigard, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Maleki as taught by Wigard, in order to provide motivation to improve paging and discontinuous reception (DRX) to improve at least these operations associated with such New Radio network implementations (Par. 0015 of Wigard).
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
US 20220312323 A1 - A method of operating a terminal device in a wireless telecommunications system comprising the terminal device and a plurality of network access nodes, wherein the method comprises: establishing first wake-up signalling configuration information for a first network access node covering a current location for the terminal device, wherein the first wake-up signalling configuration information comprises an indication of a first wake-up signalling format to be transmitted by the first network access node in advance of transmitting a paging message.
US 20220070783 A1 - Aspects of the disclosure provide a method and an apparatus for monitoring a paging occasion (PO).
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/REDENTOR PASIA/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2413