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 .
Response to Amendment
The Amendment filed December 2, 2025 has been entered. Claims 1-2, 5-12, and 15-19 are pending in the application. Applicant has submitted amendments to the claims along with other remarks. Claims 1-2, 5-12, and 15-19 are still rejected by prior art references, refer to the following rejection for details.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments and amendments, see pp. 8-15 of the response, filed December 2, 2025, with respect to the rejection(s) of claim(s) 1-2, 5-12, and 15-19 under § 103 have been fully considered but are not persuasive.
With regard to claim 1, Applicant has amended claim 1 to remove the alternative limitation “or user equipment (UE).” The claim still recites elements in the alternative (“the target configuration information is used to configure at least one of the following for a network device: . . . ”). The alternative elements are “a first target signal to be sent at a frequency layer indicated . . . a first target signal to be sent at a frequency layer corresponding . . . or related information.”
Applicant has removed “or user equipment (UE)” from the independent claims; however, R2 discloses the remaining elements in that the “LMF sends target configuration information to the network device.” (Figure 1, Step 5, p. 3/27 – The LMF sends an NRPPa PRS Reconfiguration Request message to each of the gNBs determined at step 4 and includes the new PRS configuration determined for that gNB).
Applicant further contends that R2 is distinguished because “the UE is enabled to determine the location of the UE based on the target configuration information and the efficiency of the UE in determining that the location of the UE is improved.” Remarks at 9. These elements are not necessarily in the claim but they are still otherwise disclosed by R2 in Figure 1 (Step 11: “Determine UE location”).
Further, Applicant contends that the other reference, Duan, “does not disclose, teach or suggest that a location management function device configures one or more DL PRS Positioning Frequency Layer configurations for the network device.” This contention is inapposite because Applicant has attempted to attack the references individually to overcome the § 103 rejection, which is improper. MPEP § 2145(IV).
The Final Rejection provided that the combination of R2 and Duan establishes a prima facie case of obviousness and that the R2 establishes that in “Figure 1, Step 5, p. 3/27 – The LMF sends an NRPPa PRS Reconfiguration Request message to each of the gNBs determined at step 4 and includes the new PRS configuration determined for that gNB.” Therefore, Applicant’s contention that Duan does not teach these elements is insufficient to overcome the rejection.
Lastly, Applicant’s final contention is that the “processes involved in Duan are legacy.” Remarks at 12. This argument is insufficient to overcome the rejection because the MPEP states that “arguing about the age of the references” or alleging “additional advantages” that are not recited in the claims is insufficient to overcome a prima facie obviousness rejection. MPEP § 2145(II),(VIII).
Therefore, the rejection is maintained.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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 correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
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.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
Claims 1-2, 5-6, 8, 10-12, 15-16, 18, and 20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being obvious under NPL submitted in IDS 10-24-2022 – “3GPP TSG-RAN WG2 Meeting_104_R2-1817902” (hereinafter “R2”) in view of U.S. Publication No. 2023/0309128 (hereinafter “Duan”)
Regarding claim 1, R2 teaches: A positioning method, comprising: sending, by a location management function (Figure 1 – LMF) device, target configuration information to a target device (Figure 1, step 5; p. 3/27 - The LMF sends an NRPPa PRS Reconfiguration Request message to each of the gNBs determined at step 4 and includes the new PRS configuration determined for that gNB. The request may also include a start time for each new PRS configuration and a duration.), wherein the target configuration information is used to configure at least one of the following for a network device or user equipment (UE) (Figure 1, step 5; p. 3/27 - The LMF sends an NRPPa PRS Reconfiguration Request message to each of the gNBs determined at step 4 and includes the new PRS configuration determined for that gNB. The request may also include a start time for each new PRS configuration and a duration.): a first target signal to be sent or related information for sending the first target signal, wherein the first target signal is used to determine a location of the UE (Figure 1, step 7; p. 3/27 Each of the gNBs which acknowledged support of a new PRS configuration at step 6 changes from an old PRS configuration to a new PRS configuration either after (or just before) sending the acknowledgment at step 6 if no start time was provided or at the start time indicated in step 5. In some cases, the old PRS configuration may correspond to not transmitting a DL PRS.).
R2 does not explicitly teach: wherein the target configuration information comprises at least one of the following: a first frequency layer identifier and a first frequency layer quantity; a first target signal to be sent at a frequency layer indicated by the first frequency layer identifier; a first target signal to be sent at a frequency layer corresponding to the first frequency layer quantity.
However, in the same field of endeavor, Duan teaches: wherein the target configuration information comprises at least one of the following: a first frequency layer identifier ([0081] Each DL PRS resource set may include an ID) and a first frequency layer quantity ([0081] the number of resource blocks configured for PRS transmission (see 3GPP TS 38.214 release 16).); a first target signal (e.g., UL 334) to be sent at a frequency layer indicated by the first frequency layer identifier ([0081] At stage, 1102 the method includes configuring a first position frequency layer for full duplex operation. A base station 110, or other network server, is a means for configuring a position frequency layer. A UE may be configured with one or more DL PRS Positioning Frequency Layer configuration(s) based on higher layer parameters (e.g., DL-PRS-PositioningFrequencyLayer).); a first target signal to be sent at a frequency layer corresponding to the first frequency layer quantity ([0081] At stage, 1102 the method includes configuring a first position frequency layer for full duplex operation. A base station 110, or other network server, is a means for configuring a position frequency layer. A UE may be configured with one or more DL PRS Positioning Frequency Layer configuration(s) based on higher layer parameters (e.g., DL-PRS-PositioningFrequencyLayer).).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify R2 to include the layer parameters of Duan and a combination of R2 with Duan renders the claim prima facie obvious within the described scope of the prior art and any indicated differences within the level of one of ordinary skill in the art (e.g., telecommunications engineer) according to a combination of known prior art elements with known methods to yield predictable results. MPEP 2143(I)(D) (e.g., applying the known techniques of Duan to the known virtual network functions of R2 to yield predictable results).
Regarding claim 2, R2 teaches: wherein the target configuration information comprises at least one of the following: first indication information (p. 1/27 There could then be one or more levels of increased PRS transmission each associated with a different set of PRS configuration parameters such as parameters defining PRS bandwidth, PRS frequencies, duration of PRS positioning occasions and periodicity of PRS positioning occasions.), first resource information (p. 1/27 PRS frequencies), first period-related information (p. 1/27 duration of PRS positioning occasions and periodicity of PRS positioning occasions.), or second indication information (p.2/27 The LMF could control PRS transmission from both normal gNBs and from Transmission Points (TPs) such as remote radio heads and PRS-only beacons.), wherein the first indication information is used to indicate that the target device starts or stops sending the first target signal (Figure 1, Step 4; p. 3/27 The new PRS configuration for each gNB may use increased PRS bandwidth, a longer duration of PRS positioning occasions, PRS transmission on new frequencies, and/or a higher frequency of PRS positioning occasions and may, in some cases, be selected from a set of one or more preconfigured sets of PRS configuration parameters to support increased PRS transmission.), the first resource information is used to indicate a frequency domain resource for sending a second target signal by the target device (Figure 1, Step 4; p. 3/27 The new PRS configuration for each gNB may use increased PRS bandwidth, a longer duration of PRS positioning occasions, PRS transmission on new frequencies, and/or a higher frequency of PRS positioning occasions and may, in some cases, be selected from a set of one or more preconfigured sets of PRS configuration parameters to support increased PRS transmission.), the first period-related information is used to indicate a period for sending a third target signal by the target device (Figure 1 Step 4 (one of the three signals sent in step 7); p. 3/27 The new PRS configuration for each gNB may use increased PRS bandwidth, a longer duration of PRS positioning occasions, PRS transmission on new frequencies, and/or a higher frequency of PRS positioning occasions and may, in some cases, be selected from a set of one or more preconfigured sets of PRS configuration parameters to support increased PRS transmission.), the second indication information is used to indicate corresponding transmission and reception point (TRP)-related information for sending a fourth target signal by the network device (p.2/27 The LMF could control PRS transmission from both normal gNBs and from Transmission Points (TPs) such as remote radio heads and PRS-only beacons.).
Regarding claim 5, R2 teaches: wherein the first period-related information comprises at least one of the following: a period value set (p. 7/27 In a synchronized or approximately synchronized NG-RAN, interference can be reduced by using the same PRS configuration in each cell with regard to bandwidth, carrier frequency, subcarriers and duration and occurrence of positioning occasions. In this case, in each cell, PRS will either be transmitted or muted during the same time intervals for the same set of subcarriers and will only interfere with and receive interference from PRS transmitted in other cells. However, when additional resource elements (REs) are assigned in one cell to increase PRS transmission in this cell, the PRS transmission in those additional REs will interfere with and receive interference from corresponding non-PRS RE:s for other cells.) or a repetition factor set (although not needed to reject the claim, see [0070] of Duan).
Regarding claim 6, R2 teaches: wherein the TRP-related information comprises at least one of the following: a target identifier corresponding to a TRP or a TRP-related quantity (p.2/27 The LMF could control PRS transmission from both normal gNBs and from Transmission Points (TPs) such as remote radio heads and PRS-only beacons.), the target identifier comprises at least one of the following: a first TRP identifier, a first signal set identifier, or a first signal identifier, and the TRP-related quantity comprises at least one of the following: a first TRP quantity, a first signal set quantity, a first signal quantity, or a first target quantity, wherein the first TRP identifier is an identifier of a TRP that sends signals in at least one TRP corresponding to the network device, the first signal set identifier is an identifier of a signal set to be sent in the TRP, and the first signal identifier is an identifier of a signal to be sent in the signal set; and the first TRP quantity is a quantity of TRPs that send signals in the at least one TRP, the first signal set quantity is a quantity of signal sets to be sent by each TRP in the at least one TRP, the first signal quantity is a quantity of signals in each signal set, and the first target quantity is a quantity of symbols occupied by each signal.
Regarding claim 8, R2 teaches: wherein after the sending, by a location management function device, target configuration information to a target device, the method further comprises: sending, by the location management function device, second target information to the target device, wherein the second target information is used to indicate that the target device activates a part or all of configuration information in the target configuration information (Figure 1, Step 9 - The LMF sends an LPP Request Location Information message to the target UE to request the UE to measure DL PRS transmission by the gNBs determined at step 4 (and confirmed at step 6) according to the new PRS configurations. For example, the LMF may request measurements of RSTD if OTDOA is used. The LMF may also indicate whether UE-based positioning is requested whereby the UE determines its own location.).
Regarding claim 10, R2 teaches: wherein before the sending, by a location management function device, target configuration information to a target device, the method further comprises: sending, by the location management function device, a positioning information request to the target device, wherein the positioning information request is used to request the target device to send configuration information of the first target signal (Figure 1, step 2 - The LMF sends an LPP Request Capabilities message to the target UE as described in TS 23.502 clause 4.13.5.4 to request the positioning capabilities of the UE.); receiving, by the location management function device, a positioning information response sent by the target device (Figure 1, step 3 - The UE returns an LPP Provide Capabilities message to the LMF as described in TS 23.502 clause 4.13.5.4 to provide the positioning capabilities of the UE. The positioning capabilities include the DL PRS measurement capabilities of the UE.); and determining, by the location management function device based on a location service request sent by a location service client and the positioning information response, whether to send the target configuration information to the target device (Figure 1, Step 4 - Based on the LCS client type (e.g. an emergency services client type or a commercial client type), the QoS if provided at step 1 and the DL PRS measurement capabilities of the UE, the LMF determines gNBs nearby to the location of the UE (e.g. as indicated by the serving cell ID received at step 1) to be measured by the UE and a new PRS configuration for each of the gNBs. The determination at step 4 may also be based on location requests for other UEs nearby to the target UE which are received by the LMF at about the same time.).
Regarding claim 11, R2 teaches: send[ing], by a location management function (Figure 1 – LMF) device, target configuration information to a target device (Figure 1, step 5; p. 3/27 - The LMF sends an NRPPa PRS Reconfiguration Request message to each of the gNBs determined at step 4 and includes the new PRS configuration determined for that gNB. The request may also include a start time for each new PRS configuration and a duration.), wherein the target configuration information is used to configure at least one of the following for a network device or user equipment (UE) (Figure 1, step 5; p. 3/27 - The LMF sends an NRPPa PRS Reconfiguration Request message to each of the gNBs determined at step 4 and includes the new PRS configuration determined for that gNB. The request may also include a start time for each new PRS configuration and a duration.): a first target signal to be sent or related information for sending the first target signal, wherein the first target signal is used to determine a location of the UE (Figure 1, step 7; p. 3/27 Each of the gNBs which acknowledged support of a new PRS configuration at step 6 changes from an old PRS configuration to a new PRS configuration either after (or just before) sending the acknowledgment at step 6 if no start time was provided or at the start time indicated in step 5. In some cases, the old PRS configuration may correspond to not transmitting a DL PRS.).
R2 does not explicitly teach: wherein the target configuration information comprises at least one of the following: a first frequency layer identifier and a first frequency layer quantity; a first target signal to be sent at a frequency layer indicated by the first frequency layer identifier; a first target signal to be sent at a frequency layer corresponding to the first frequency layer quantity.
However, in the same field of endeavor, Duan teaches: wherein the target configuration information comprises at least one of the following: a first frequency layer identifier ([0081] Each DL PRS resource set may include an ID) and a first frequency layer quantity ([0081] the number of resource blocks configured for PRS transmission (see 3GPP TS 38.214 release 16).); a first target signal (e.g., UL 334) to be sent at a frequency layer indicated by the first frequency layer identifier ([0081] At stage, 1102 the method includes configuring a first position frequency layer for full duplex operation. A base station 110, or other network server, is a means for configuring a position frequency layer. A UE may be configured with one or more DL PRS Positioning Frequency Layer configuration(s) based on higher layer parameters (e.g., DL-PRS-PositioningFrequencyLayer).); a first target signal to be sent at a frequency layer corresponding to the first frequency layer quantity ([0081] At stage, 1102 the method includes configuring a first position frequency layer for full duplex operation. A base station 110, or other network server, is a means for configuring a position frequency layer. A UE may be configured with one or more DL PRS Positioning Frequency Layer configuration(s) based on higher layer parameters (e.g., DL-PRS-PositioningFrequencyLayer).).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify R2 to include the layer parameters of Duan and a combination of R2 with Duan renders the claim prima facie obvious within the described scope of the prior art and any indicated differences within the level of one of ordinary skill in the art (e.g., telecommunications engineer) according to a combination of known prior art elements with known methods to yield predictable results. MPEP 2143(I)(D) (e.g., applying the known techniques of Duan to the known virtual network functions of R2 to yield predictable results).
Regarding claim 12, R2 teaches: wherein the target configuration information comprises at least one of the following: first indication information (p. 1/27 There could then be one or more levels of increased PRS transmission each associated with a different set of PRS configuration parameters such as parameters defining PRS bandwidth, PRS frequencies, duration of PRS positioning occasions and periodicity of PRS positioning occasions.), first resource information (p. 1/27 PRS frequencies), first period-related information (p. 1/27 duration of PRS positioning occasions and periodicity of PRS positioning occasions.), second indication information (p.2/27 The LMF could control PRS transmission from both normal gNBs and from Transmission Points (TPs) such as remote radio heads and PRS-only beacons.), wherein the first indication information is used to indicate that the target device starts or stops sending the first target signal (Figure 1, Step 4; p. 3/27 The new PRS configuration for each gNB may use increased PRS bandwidth, a longer duration of PRS positioning occasions, PRS transmission on new frequencies, and/or a higher frequency of PRS positioning occasions and may, in some cases, be selected from a set of one or more preconfigured sets of PRS configuration parameters to support increased PRS transmission.), the first resource information is used to indicate a frequency domain resource for sending a second target signal by the target device (Figure 1, Step 4; p. 3/27 The new PRS configuration for each gNB may use increased PRS bandwidth, a longer duration of PRS positioning occasions, PRS transmission on new frequencies, and/or a higher frequency of PRS positioning occasions and may, in some cases, be selected from a set of one or more preconfigured sets of PRS configuration parameters to support increased PRS transmission.), the first period-related information is used to indicate a period for sending a third target signal by the target device (Figure 1 Step 4 (one of the three signals sent in step 7); p. 3/27 The new PRS configuration for each gNB may use increased PRS bandwidth, a longer duration of PRS positioning occasions, PRS transmission on new frequencies, and/or a higher frequency of PRS positioning occasions and may, in some cases, be selected from a set of one or more preconfigured sets of PRS configuration parameters to support increased PRS transmission.), the second indication information is used to indicate corresponding transmission and reception point (TRP)-related information for sending a fourth target signal by the network device (p.2/27 The LMF could control PRS transmission from both normal gNBs and from Transmission Points (TPs) such as remote radio heads and PRS-only beacons.); and all of the second target signal, the third target signal, and the fourth target signal comprise the first target signal.
Regarding claim 15, wherein the first period-related information comprises at least one of the following: a period value set (p. 7/27 In a synchronized or approximately synchronized NG-RAN, interference can be reduced by using the same PRS configuration in each cell with regard to bandwidth, carrier frequency, subcarriers and duration and occurrence of positioning occasions. In this case, in each cell, PRS will either be transmitted or muted during the same time intervals for the same set of subcarriers and will only interfere with and receive interference from PRS transmitted in other cells. However, when additional resource elements (REs) are assigned in one cell to increase PRS transmission in this cell, the PRS transmission in those additional REs will interfere with and receive interference from corresponding non-PRS RE:s for other cells.) or a repetition factor set (although not needed to reject the claim, see [0070] of Duan).
Regarding claim 16, R2 teaches: wherein the TRP-related information comprises at least one of the following: a target identifier corresponding to a TRP or a TRP-related quantity (p.2/27 The LMF could control PRS transmission from both normal gNBs and from Transmission Points (TPs) such as remote radio heads and PRS-only beacons.), the target identifier comprises at least one of the following: a first TRP identifier, a first signal set identifier, or a first signal identifier, and the TRP-related quantity comprises at least one of the following: a first TRP quantity, a first signal set quantity, a first signal quantity, or a first target quantity, wherein the first TRP identifier is an identifier of a TRP that sends signals in at least one TRP corresponding to the network device, the first signal set identifier is an identifier of a signal set to be sent in the TRP, and the first signal identifier is an identifier of a signal to be sent in the signal set; and the first TRP quantity is a quantity of TRPs that send signals in the at least one TRP, the first signal set quantity is a quantity of signal sets to be sent by each TRP in the at least one TRP, the first signal quantity is a quantity of signals in each signal set, and the first target quantity is a quantity of symbols occupied by each signal.
Regarding claim 18, R2 teaches: wherein after the sending, by a location management function device, target configuration information to a target device, the method further comprises: sending, by the location management function device, second target information to the target device, wherein the second target information is used to indicate that the target device activates a part or all of configuration information in the target configuration information (Figure 1, Step 9 - The LMF sends an LPP Request Location Information message to the target UE to request the UE to measure DL PRS transmission by the gNBs determined at step 4 (and confirmed at step 6) according to the new PRS configurations. For example, the LMF may request measurements of RSTD if OTDOA is used. The LMF may also indicate whether UE-based positioning is requested whereby the UE determines its own location.).
Regarding claim 20, R2 teaches: User equipment (UE) (Figure 1, UE), comprising: a processor; and a memory storing a program or instructions that are capable of running on the processor, wherein the program or instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the UE to: receive target configuration information sent by a first device (Figure 1, Step 8 - The LMF sends an LPP Provide Assistance Data message to the target UE to provide the new PRS configurations determined at step 4 and acknowledged at step 6 and possibly other assistance data to assist the UE to acquire and measure the new PRS configurations and optionally determine a location from the PRS measurements.), wherein the first device is a location management function device (Figure 1, LMF) or a network device, and the target configuration information is used to configure at least one of the following for the UE: a first target signal to be sent by the UE and related information for sending the first target signal by the UE (Figure 1, step 12); or receive a first target signal sent by a network device, wherein the first target signal is used to determine a location of the UE (Figure 1, Step 7, Each of the gNBs which acknowledged support of a new PRS configuration at step 6 changes from an old PRS configuration to a new PRS configuration either after (or just before) sending the acknowledgment at step 6 if no start time was provided or at the start time indicated in step 5. In some cases, the old PRS configuration may correspond to not transmitting a DL PRS.).
R2 does not explicitly teach: a processor; and a memory storing a program or instructions that are capable of running on the processor, wherein the program or instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the UE to: and wherein the target configuration information comprises at least one of the following: a first frequency layer identifier and a first frequency layer quantity; a first target signal to be sent at a frequency layer indicated by the first frequency layer identifier; a first target signal to be sent at a frequency layer corresponding to the first frequency layer quantity.
However, in the same field of endeavor, Duan teaches: a processor; and a memory storing a program or instructions that are capable of running on the processor, wherein the program or instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the UE to ([0012-14]): and wherein the target configuration information comprises at least one of the following: a first frequency layer identifier ([0081] Each DL PRS resource set may include an ID) and a first frequency layer quantity ([0081] the number of resource blocks configured for PRS transmission (see 3GPP TS 38.214 release 16).); a first target signal (e.g., UL 334) to be sent at a frequency layer indicated by the first frequency layer identifier ([0081] At stage, 1102 the method includes configuring a first position frequency layer for full duplex operation. A base station 110, or other network server, is a means for configuring a position frequency layer. A UE may be configured with one or more DL PRS Positioning Frequency Layer configuration(s) based on higher layer parameters (e.g., DL-PRS-PositioningFrequencyLayer).); a first target signal to be sent at a frequency layer corresponding to the first frequency layer quantity ([0081] At stage, 1102 the method includes configuring a first position frequency layer for full duplex operation. A base station 110, or other network server, is a means for configuring a position frequency layer. A UE may be configured with one or more DL PRS Positioning Frequency Layer configuration(s) based on higher layer parameters (e.g., DL-PRS-PositioningFrequencyLayer).).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify R2 to include the layer parameters of Duan and a combination of R2 with Duan renders the claim prima facie obvious within the described scope of the prior art and any indicated differences within the level of one of ordinary skill in the art (e.g., telecommunications engineer) according to a combination of known prior art elements with known methods to yield predictable results. MPEP 2143(I)(D) (e.g., applying the known techniques of Duan to the known virtual network functions of R2 to yield predictable results).
Claims 7 and 17 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being obvious under R2 in view of Duan and further in view of U.S. Publication No. 2023/0132921 (hereinafter “Vaupel”)
Regarding claim 7, the combination of R2 and Duan does not teach: further comprising: receiving, by the location management function device, a target message sent by the network device, wherein the target message comprises capability information of the network device; or sending, by the location management function device, a first request message to the network device, and receiving a first response message sent by the network device, wherein the first request message is used to request capability information of the network device, and the first response message comprises the capability information, wherein the capability information is used to indicate whether the network device supports sending the first target signal based on the target configuration information.
However, in the same field of endeavor, Vaupel teaches: further comprising: receiving, by the location management function device, a target message sent by the network device, wherein the target message comprises capability information of the network device ([0071] The network node may be an LMF requesting over NRPPa the UE physical transmission and reception capabilities from a gNB. The network node may be an LMF requesting over NRPPa the gNB physical transmission and reception capabilities.); or sending, by the location management function device, a first request message to the network device, and receiving a first response message sent by the network device, wherein the first request message is used to request capability information of the network device, and the first response message comprises the capability information, wherein the capability information is used to indicate whether the network device supports sending the first target signal based on the target configuration information.
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify R2 and Duan with receiving capability information of the network device (e.g., gNB) and a combination of R2 and Duan with Vaupel renders the claim prima facie obvious within the described scope of the prior art and any indicated differences within the level of one of ordinary skill in the art (e.g., telecommunications engineer) according to a combination of known prior art elements with known methods to yield predictable results. MPEP 2143(I)(A) (e.g., providing capability information of the network device).
Regarding claim 17, the combination of R2 and Duan does not teach: further comprising: receiving, by the location management function device, a target message sent by the network device, wherein the target message comprises capability information of the network device; or sending, by the location management function device, a first request message to the network device, and receiving a first response message sent by the network device, wherein the first request message is used to request capability information of the network device, and the first response message comprises the capability information, wherein the capability information is used to indicate whether the network device supports sending the first target signal based on the target configuration information.
However, in the same field of endeavor, Vaupel teaches: further comprising: receiving, by the location management function device, a target message sent by the network device, wherein the target message comprises capability information of the network device ([0071] The network node may be an LMF requesting over NRPPa the UE physical transmission and reception capabilities from a gNB. The network node may be an LMF requesting over NRPPa the gNB physical transmission and reception capabilities.); or sending, by the location management function device, a first request message to the network device, and receiving a first response message sent by the network device, wherein the first request message is used to request capability information of the network device, and the first response message comprises the capability information, wherein the capability information is used to indicate whether the network device supports sending the first target signal based on the target configuration information.
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify R2 and Duan with receiving capability information of the network device (e.g., gNB) and a combination of R2 and Duan with Vaupel renders the claim prima facie obvious within the described scope of the prior art and any indicated differences within the level of one of ordinary skill in the art (e.g., telecommunications engineer) according to a combination of known prior art elements with known methods to yield predictable results. MPEP 2143(I)(A) (e.g., providing capability information of the network device).
Claims 9 and 19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being obvious under R2 in view of Duan and further in view of U.S. Publication No. 2020/0358576 (hereinafter “Zarifi”)
Regarding claim 9, the combination of R2 and Duan does not teach: wherein the target configuration information comprises N groups of configuration information; and the second target information is used to indicate that the target device activates M groups of configuration information in the N groups of configuration information, or the second target information is used to indicate that the network device activates L groups of configuration information in the N groups of configuration information, wherein the L groups of configuration information are configuration information that the network device is allowed to send to the UE, N, M, and L are all positive integers, M is less than or equal to N, and L is less than or equal to N.
However, in the same field of endeavor, Zarifi teaches: wherein the target configuration information comprises N groups of configuration information; and the second target information is used to indicate that the target device activates M groups of configuration information in the N groups of configuration information, or the second target information is used to indicate that the network device activates L groups of configuration information in the N groups of configuration information, wherein the L groups of configuration information are configuration information that the network device is allowed to send to the UE, N, M, and L are all positive integers, M is less than or equal to N, and L is less than or equal to N ([0196] A group of UEs that share the same dedicated positioning BW may all be served by the same cell/gNB or may belong to two or multiple sub-groups each of which is served by a different cell/gNB. When the group of UEs that share the same dedicated positioning BW are all served by the same cell/gNB, the positioning BW can be configured by the serving cell/gNB serving the group of UEs or by the LMF. When the group of UEs that share the same dedicated positioning BW belong to two or multiple sub-groups each of which is served by a different cell/gNB, the positioning BW can be configured to all of the neighboring cells/gNBs by the LMF.).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify R2 and Duan with target and activation information for a specific sub-group or group of UEs and a combination of R2 and Duan with Zarifi renders the claim prima facie obvious within the described scope of the prior art and any indicated differences within the level of one of ordinary skill in the art (e.g., telecommunications engineer) according to a combination of known prior art elements with known methods to yield predictable results. MPEP 2143(I)(A) (e.g., target and activation information for a specific sub-group or group of UEs).
Regarding claim 19, the combination of R2 and Duan does not teach: wherein the target configuration information comprises N groups of configuration information; and the second target information is used to indicate that the target device activates M groups of configuration information in the N groups of configuration information, or the second target information is used to indicate that the network device activates L groups of configuration information in the N groups of configuration information, wherein the L groups of configuration information are configuration information that the network device is allowed to send to the UE, N, M, and L are all positive integers, M is less than or equal to N, and L is less than or equal to N.
However, in the same field of endeavor, Zarifi teaches: wherein the target configuration information comprises N groups of configuration information; and the second target information is used to indicate that the target device activates M groups of configuration information in the N groups of configuration information, or the second target information is used to indicate that the network device activates L groups of configuration information in the N groups of configuration information, wherein the L groups of configuration information are configuration information that the network device is allowed to send to the UE, N, M, and L are all positive integers, M is less than or equal to N, and L is less than or equal to N ([0196] A group of UEs that share the same dedicated positioning BW may all be served by the same cell/gNB or may belong to two or multiple sub-groups each of which is served by a different cell/gNB. When the group of UEs that share the same dedicated positioning BW are all served by the same cell/gNB, the positioning BW can be configured by the serving cell/gNB serving the group of UEs or by the LMF. When the group of UEs that share the same dedicated positioning BW belong to two or multiple sub-groups each of which is served by a different cell/gNB, the positioning BW can be configured to all of the neighboring cells/gNBs by the LMF.).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify R2 and Duan with target and activation information for a specific sub-group or group of UEs and a combination of R2 and Duan with Zarifi renders the claim prima facie obvious within the described scope of the prior art and any indicated differences within the level of one of ordinary skill in the art (e.g., telecommunications engineer) according to a combination of known prior art elements with known methods to yield predictable results. MPEP 2143(I)(A) (e.g., target and activation information for a specific sub-group or group of UEs).0
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
U.S. Publication No. 2023/0362874 relates to a method and apparatus for sidelink positioning.
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/JAB/ Examiner, Art Unit 2643
/JINSONG HU/ Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2643