DETAILED ACTION
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . This Office Action is in response to the submission filed 2026-01-05 (herein referred to as the Reply) where claim(s) 17, 19-24, 29, 31-35, 37, 39-41 are pending for consideration.
35 USC §103 - Claim Rejections
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 of this title, 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.
The factual inquiries set forth in Graham v. John Deere Co., 383 U.S. 1, 148 USPQ 459 (1966), that are applied for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or non-obviousness.
Claim(s) is/are rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over R1-1906040 (NPL-3GPP_R1-1906040_May2019) in view of KHOSHNEVISAN_411 (US20200413411), and further view of KHOSHNEVISAN_800 (US20230164800)
Claim(s) 17, 29, 37, 41
R1-1906040 teaches
at least one memory; and at least one processor coupled with the at least one memory and configured to cause the apparatus to:
group control resource sets into two or more control resource set groups, each control resource set group including one or more control resource sets; and For multi-PDCCH based solution, two TRPs would transmit its NR-PDCCH using different CORESET(s). With increased BD # in multi-TRP transmission, PDCCH candidate determination complexity will be increased accordingly. But considering specific design of M-DCI NCJT, it is possible to design restrictions of NW implementation to avoid excessive droppings of PDCCH candidates among TRPs, whilst balancing the NW implementation flexibility. One solution is that, the gNB explicitly configures CORESETs into two CORESET groups. Proposal 2: Study the enhancement of CORESET design/configurations or restrictions to reduce PDCCH detection complexity for M-DCI NCJT, i.e. by configuring multiple CORESET groups each of which corresponds to one TRP. It was agreed that different PDSCH scrambling sequences can be supported for PDSCHs, for eMBB with multi-DCI based multi-TRP/panel transmission. In R15, the PDSCH is scrambled by a pseudo-random sequence, which is initialized by a RNTI associated with the PDSCH as well as higher-layer configured PDSCH scrambling parameter and so on. Both Altl and Alt2 support different scrambling ID of PDSCH from different TRPs, whereas Alt2 is a more straightforward approach. The remaining problem is, how the UE is aware of which scrambling ID is used for a specific PDSCH. For instance, in Rel-15, parameter dataScramblingldentityPDSCH is configured in PDSCH-config, contained in BWP configurations. For intra-cell operation, given one PDSCH-config, when two dataScramblingldentityPDSCH values are configured, it is ambiguous to the UE about which one ( out of two values) shall be used for descrambling
configure a same number of scrambling identifiers as a number of control resource set groups of the two or more control resource set groups. PDSCH or the UE has to consider complicated BD for PDSCH scrambling IDs. Therefore, such an association between scrambling IDs and PDSCHs can be conducted through PDCCH configuration. For example, the configured dataScramblingldentityPDSCH can be associated with a CORESET group. Therefore, the UE shall identify the dataScramblingldentityPDSCH to be used for decoding PDSCH by decoding DCI and then identifying DCI-associated CORESET/CORESET group. Proposal 5: Support Alt2 to enhance RRC configurations to support two dataScramblingldentityPDSCHs per BWP, and each dataScramblingldentityPDSCH is associated with a CORESET group. <Sections 2.1, 2.2.1>
R1-1906040 does not explicitly teach
associate control resource sets of at least one control resource set group of the two or more control resource set groups with a same scrambling identifier,
wherein the control resource sets of the at least one control resource set group of the two or more control resource set groups have a same index value.
However in a similar endeavor, KHOSHNEVISAN_411 teaches
associate control resource sets of at least one control resource set group of the two or more control resource set groups with a same scrambling identifier, A data scrambling identity for the PDSCH based on a CORESET group in which the DCI was detected. Accordingly all CORESETS within the group is assigned the (same) data scrambling identity. <para. 0116-0117, 0146; Claim 27>.
wherein the control resource sets of the at least one control resource set group of the two or more control resource set groups have a same index value. CORESETs in the same group having a same index; each CORESET associated with a CORESET group identified by an index. <FIG(s). 10, 9; para. 0087, 0093-0094, 0097, 0116>.
Before the effective filing date of the claim invention, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in art to have modified the system/techniques disclosed by R1-1906040 with the embodiment(s) disclosed by KHOSHNEVISAN_411. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification in order to enable processing semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) transmissions activated with downlink control information (DCI) transmissions in a system with multiple transmitter receiver points (TRPs). <para. 0026>.
R1-1906040 does not explicitly teach
wherein control resource sets having a same index value are grouped into a same control resource set group.
However in a similar endeavor, KHOSHNEVISAN_800 teaches
wherein control resource sets having a same index value are grouped into a same control resource set group. A CORESET group that includes including CORESETS (and correspond to a particular TRP) have the same index, e.g. a higher layer index value. <FIG(s). 2, 3E; para. 0054-0055, 0069-0071, 0089>.
Before the effective filing date of the claim invention, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in art to have modified the system/techniques disclosed by R1-1906040 and KHOSHNEVISAN_411 with the embodiment(s) disclosed by KHOSHNEVISAN_800. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification in order to better support mobile broadband Internet access by improving spectral efficiency, lowering costs, improving services, making use of new spectrum, and better integrating with other open standards <para. 0005>.
Claim(s) 19, 31, 39
R1-1906040 does not explicitly teach
wherein control resource sets transmitted from a same transmission reception point are grouped into a same control resource set group.
However in a similar endeavor, KHOSHNEVISAN_800 teaches
wherein control resource sets transmitted from a same transmission reception point are grouped into a same control resource set group. In one embodiment (single TRP), first CORESET group and the second CORESET group each correspond to a different TRP (i.e., CORESETs in a given group are associated with a particular TRP). <para. 0061, 0070>.
Before the effective filing date of the claim invention, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in art to have modified the system/techniques disclosed by R1-1906040 and KHOSHNEVISAN_411 with the embodiment(s) disclosed by KHOSHNEVISAN_800. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification in order to better support mobile broadband Internet access by improving spectral efficiency, lowering costs, improving services, making use of new spectrum, and better integrating with other open standards <para. 0005>.
Claim(s) 21, 33
R1-1906040 does not explicitly teach
the at least one processor is further configured to cause the apparatus to
configure a first scrambling identifier for a first control resource set group of the two or more control resource set groups, and
configure a second, different scrambling identifier for a second control resource set group of the two or more control resource set groups.
However in a similar endeavor, KHOSHNEVISAN_411 teaches
configure a second, different scrambling identifier for a second control resource set group of the two or more control resource set groups. Each of at least two CORESET group indexes is associated with a different data scrambling identity. <FIG(s). 13; para. 0117, 0144>.
Before the effective filing date of the claim invention, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in art to have modified the system/techniques disclosed by R1-1906040 with the embodiment(s) disclosed by KHOSHNEVISAN_411. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification in order to enable processing semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) transmissions activated with downlink control information (DCI) transmissions in a system with multiple transmitter receiver points (TRPs). <para. 0026>.
Claim(s) 22, 34
R1-1906040 does not explicitly teach
wherein the at least one processor is further configured to cause the apparatus to
scramble one or more physical downlink shared channels scheduled by downlink control information transmitted in the control resource sets in a control resource set group with a scrambling sequence initialized with a scrambling identifier associated with the control resource set group.
However in a similar endeavor, KHOSHNEVISAN_411 teaches
wherein the at least one processor is further configured to cause the apparatus to
scramble one or more physical downlink shared channels scheduled by downlink control information transmitted in the control resource sets in a control resource set group with a scrambling sequence initialized with a scrambling identifier associated with the control resource set group. Scrambling identity for one or more SPS physical downlink shared channels (PDSCHs) of the activated SPS configuration based on a CORESET group in which the DCI was detected <para. 0010, 0117-0118, 0143-0146>.
Before the effective filing date of the claim invention, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in art to have modified the system/techniques disclosed by R1-1906040 with the embodiment(s) disclosed by KHOSHNEVISAN_411. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification in order to enable processing semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) transmissions activated with downlink control information (DCI) transmissions in a system with multiple transmitter receiver points (TRPs). <para. 0026>.
Claim(s) 23, 35
R1-1906040 does not explicitly teach
wherein the at least one processor is further configured to cause the apparatus to
transmit the scrambled one or more physical downlink shared channels.
However in a similar endeavor, KHOSHNEVISAN_411 teaches
wherein the at least one processor is further configured to cause the apparatus to
transmit the scrambled one or more physical downlink shared channels. SPS physical downlink shared channels (PDSCHs) are transmitted <para. 0010, 0117-0118, 0143-0146>.
Before the effective filing date of the claim invention, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in art to have modified the system/techniques disclosed by R1-1906040 with the embodiment(s) disclosed by KHOSHNEVISAN_411. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification in order to enable processing semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) transmissions activated with downlink control information (DCI) transmissions in a system with multiple transmitter receiver points (TRPs). <para. 0026>.
Claim(s) is/are rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over R1-1906040 (NPL-3GPP_R1-1906040_May2019) in view of KHOSHNEVISAN_411 (US20200413411), in view of KHOSHNEVISAN_800 (US20230164800), and further view of MATSUMURA_542 (US20220132542)
Claim(s) 20, 32, 40
R1-1906040 does not explicitly teach
wherein control resource sets transmitted from a same transmission reception point are grouped into a same control resource set group, and
wherein the same transmission reception point is associated with a single scrambling identifier.
However in a similar endeavor, KHOSHNEVISAN_800 teaches
wherein control resource sets transmitted from a same transmission reception point are grouped into a same control resource set group, and In one embodiment (single TRP), first CORESET group and the second CORESET group each correspond to a different TRP (i.e., CORESETs in a given group are associated with a particular TRP). <para. 0061, 0070>.
Before the effective filing date of the claim invention, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in art to have modified the system/techniques disclosed by R1-1906040 and KHOSHNEVISAN_411 with the embodiment(s) disclosed by KHOSHNEVISAN_800. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification in order to better support mobile broadband Internet access by improving spectral efficiency, lowering costs, improving services, making use of new spectrum, and better integrating with other open standards <para. 0005>.
However in a similar endeavor, MATSUMURA_542 teaches
wherein the same transmission reception point is associated with a single scrambling identifier. a TRP may be associated with a sequence (or an ID of the sequence) for scrambling initialization of a DMRS of a PDCCH <para. 0161>.
Before the effective filing date of the claim invention, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in art to have modified the system/techniques disclosed by R1-1906040, KHOSHNEVISAN_411 and KHOSHNEVISAN_800 with the embodiment(s) disclosed by MATSUMURA_542. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification in order to appropriately perform a UE-group common signalling even when multiple TRPs are used. <para. 0010>.
Claim(s) is/are rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over R1-1906040 (NPL-3GPP_R1-1906040_May2019) in view of KHOSHNEVISAN_411 (US20200413411), in view of KHOSHNEVISAN_800 (US20230164800), and further view of GE_836 (US20210119836)
Claim(s) 20, 32, 40
R1-1906040 does not explicitly teach
wherein control resource sets transmitted from a same transmission reception point are grouped into a same control resource set group, and
wherein the same transmission reception point is associated with a single scrambling identifier.
However in a similar endeavor, KHOSHNEVISAN_800 teaches
wherein control resource sets transmitted from a same transmission reception point are grouped into a same control resource set group, and In one embodiment (single TRP), first CORESET group and the second CORESET group each correspond to a different TRP (i.e., CORESETs in a given group are associated with a particular TRP). <para. 0061, 0070>.
Before the effective filing date of the claim invention, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in art to have modified the system/techniques disclosed by R1-1906040 and KHOSHNEVISAN_411 with the embodiment(s) disclosed by KHOSHNEVISAN_800. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification in order to better support mobile broadband Internet access by improving spectral efficiency, lowering costs, improving services, making use of new spectrum, and better integrating with other open standards <para. 0005>.
However in a similar endeavor, GE_836 teaches
wherein the same transmission reception point is associated with a single scrambling identifier. The TRP 1 scrambles data 1 by using the scrambling identifier with the scrambling identifier index number 1, and the TRP 2 scrambles data 2 by using the scrambling identifier with the scrambling identifier index number 2. Accordingly each TRP is associated with a single scrambling identifier index. <para. 0247-0249, 0251-0252>.
Before the effective filing date of the claim invention, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in art to have modified the system/techniques disclosed by R1-1906040, KHOSHNEVISAN_411 and KHOSHNEVISAN_800 with the embodiment(s) disclosed by GE_836. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification in order to provide an improved data scrambling method and a related device, to configure, for a terminal device, one scrambling identifier associated with downlink control information configuration information or a downlink control parameter, or a plurality of scrambling identifiers associated with different downlink control information configuration information or downlink control parameters. <Background, para. 0005>.
Claim(s) is/are rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over R1-1906040 (NPL-3GPP_R1-1906040_May2019) in view of KHOSHNEVISAN_411 (US20200413411), in view of KHOSHNEVISAN_800 (US20230164800), and further view of MATSUMURA_701 (US20220255701)
Claim(s) 24
R1-1906040 does not explicitly teach
wherein the scrambling identifier is associated with a single transmission reception point.
However in a similar endeavor, MATSUMURA_701 teaches
wherein the scrambling identifier is associated with a single transmission reception point. the UE may generate or determine the data scrambling ID of the PDSCH on the assumption of a single TRP. <para. 0114>.
Before the effective filing date of the claim invention, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in art to have modified the system/techniques disclosed by R1-1906040, KHOSHNEVISAN_411 and KHOSHNEVISAN_800 with the embodiment(s) disclosed by MATSUMURA_701. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification in order to appropriately determine scramble sequences for PDSCHs in a case where multiple TRPs are utilized. <para. 0010>.
Response to Arguments
The following arguments in the Reply have been fully considered but they are not persuasive:
The Reply argues:
While KHOSHNEVISAN_ 800 discusses the notion of "a fixed higher layer index that identifies a CORES ET group with which the particular CORES ET is associated," KHOSHNEVISAN_ 800 makes no mention that its CORESETs are grouped based on their same index value, much less the subject matter of the amendment to claim 17.
The feature in question is:
wherein control resource sets having a same index value are grouped into a same control resource set group.
The above feature is not the same as “CORESETs are grouped based on their same index value.” Consequently, the Reply is arguing for features that aren’t even in the claim(s). It is the claims that define the claimed invention, and it is claims, not specifications that are anticipated or unpatentable. Constant v. Advanced Micro-Devices Inc., 7 USPQ2d 1064. Further, although the claims are interpreted in light of the specification, limitations from the specification are not read into the claims. In reVan Geuns, 988 F.2d 1181, 26 USPQ2d 1057 (Fed. Cir. 1993).
The claims are not commensurate with the arguments and therefore the reference(s) are/is still proper.
Conclusion
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any extension fee pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ANDRE TACDIRAN whose telephone number is 571-272-1717. The examiner can normally be reached on M-TH, 10-5PM EST. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Jeffrey Rutkowski can be reached on 571-270-1215. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
/ANDRE TACDIRAN/
Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2415