DETAILED ACTION
The office action is in response to the amendment received on Jan. 29, 2026.
The Oath was received on Feb. 14, 2024.
Claims 1-3, 5-18, and 21 are pending in this application, based on the amended claims on Jan. 29, 2026.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statements (IDSs) submitted on Jan. 27,2025 and Dec. 18, 2022 have been considered by the examiner.
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 Arguments
Applicant’s Amendments and Arguments filed 01/19/2026 have been noted and entered for consideration. Claims 1-3, 5-18, and 21 are pending in the instant application.
With regard to the 103 rejections, Applicant’s arguments filed 01/19/2026 (see pages 6-10 of Remarks) in view of the amendments have been fully considered but not persuasive. Therefore, the rejections in the previous office action are maintained in this instant office action.
Regarding independent claims 1, 18 and 21, Applicant argued:
Regarding the independent Claim 1, in the previous action, Kazuaki and Daewook discloses this claim. However, Applicant respectfully traverses the rejection on the basis that combination of Kazuaki and Daewook does not disclose or suggest all recitations of independent Claims 1.
Accordingly, as indicated in the previous office action, Kzuaki does not explicitly teach the part of claim “ … wherin the cell shaping beams are adjusted by adjusting power of the cell shaping beams.”
Further, Daewook does not teach a control operation that selects and adjusts beam power as the control quantity for cell shaping, i.e., a method step that explicitly adapts beam power values based on current traffic load to redistribute traffic between macro and micro cells. Also, Daewook does not disclose a traffic-load-based control where beam power levels themselves are the manipulated variable for cell shaping.
The claimed limitation requires that the cell shaping beams are adjusted by adjusting power of those beams, not merely that beamforming or AAS configuration inherently influences power. In other words, power is the explicit control knob used to shape the cell and thus redistribute traffic, while Kazuaki and Daewook describe (respectively) HetNet load distribution and beamforming/cell shaping driven by spatial distributions, interference, and steering, without teaching or suggesting the present power-centric control strategy.
Therefore, Applicant respectfully submits that Daewook does not disclose or suggest the feature "wherein the cell shaping beams are adjusted by adjusting power of the cell shaping beams" of independent Claim 1.
In response to Applicant’s argument, Examiner respectfully disagrees.
In the argument, Daewook does not disclose the amended claim 1, more specifically for the part recited as “wherein the cell shaping beams are adjusted by adjusting power of the cell shaping beams." However, Examiner respectfully disagree.
Basically, the claim 1 requires three conditions; Condition 1: obtaining the information of current traffic load in heterogeneous network, Condition 2: distributing the traffic in heterogeneous network by adjusting cell shaping beams as a function of the current traffic load, Condition 3: the cell shaping beams are adjusted by adjusting power of the cell shaping beams.
For satisfying three requirements, as explained in the previous office action, Daewook, in Figs 12-14 and in Paragraphs [0075]-[0081] and [0083]-[0088], teaches that as described in Paragraph [0075] and in Fig. 12, the AAS (active antenna systems: a technique for generating cell shaping beams) includes the RF module 1200, an active device, in each antenna, for adjusting power and phase of each antenna. Since each antenna is coupled to the RF module 1200 (active device), each antenna can be controlled per port and adjusted in phase and output to suit communication environments and situations. Further, as shown in Fig. 13 and in Paragraphs [0076]-[0077], by using active antenna, the beam direction is adjusted in corresponding direction with respect to a certain targe to control power based on the location of the target and performing beamforming to the target. Also, for the heterogeneous network, as shown in Fig 14 and in Paragraph [0079], the AAS system include the 2D active antenna array to support between outdoor environment and indoor environment that is enabling UE-specific horizontal beam steering and vertical beam steering. Thus, the AAS technology includes beamforming, cell shaping, and cell splitting techniques. As mentioned in Paragraph [0081], in beamforming, radio resource management (RRM) is performed by changing a beam within a short time without changing a cell area. Due to this, the same PCI (Physical Cell ID) is used in the entire cell and beam control is performed autonomously. Further, as described in Paragraphs [0084]-[0088], for cell shaping, an optima AAS configuration depends on not only traffic load and a traffic distribution but also a change in the interference conditions due to a change in the applied deployment change. As shown in Fig. 15 to 17, based on the traffic load information or/and the traffic distribution information, the AAS system is optimized for either cell shaping or cell splitting. Further, as described in Fig. 18 and in Paragraphs [0089]-[0095], based on the AAS system, the cell shaping procedure of an eNB with interaction a neighboring eNBs by exchanging (obtaining and distribution) the information for cell laods, traffic distribution, and a spatial traffic distribution, etc, one another.
Based on this observation, Daewook, in the above, disclose the three conditions.
Further, regarding the argument, recited as “Daewook does not teach a control operation that selects and adjusts beam power … where beam power levels themselves are the manipulated variable for cell shaping,” Daewook show the AAS system is optimized the beam power for cell shaping, based on the various factor such as traffic load, traffic distribution, interference distribution, and etc.
Further, regarding the argument, recited as “The claimed limitation requires that the cell shaping beams are adjusted by adjusting power of those beams, not merely that beamforming or AAS configuration inherently influences power,” Daewook clearly teaches the AAS system is optimized for cell shaping based on traffic load information, traffic distribution information, interference power distribution, deployment condition or change, etc. Based on this information, the AAS system including the active device such as its RF module adjusts power and phase of each antenna module.
Further, Daewook shows how to obtain and to distribute the traffic load and the traffic distribution through exchanging the information message for the condition 1 and 2.
Therefore, the three conditions required for the claim 1 are disclosed by combination of Kazuaki and Daewoo, mostly by Daewook.
In similar reasoning, the independent claims 18 and 21 are disclosed by combination of Kazuaki and Daewook.
Thus, the rejections in the previous office action are maintained in this instant office action.
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.
Claims 1-2, 13, 18, and 21 are rejected under U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kazuaki Takeda and et. al. (USPub No.: US 20170208479 A1, hereinafter “Kazuaki”) in a view of Daewook Byun and et. al. (USPub No.: US 20170311176 A1, hereinafter “Daewook”).
Regarding claim 1, Kazuaki teaches that a method for distributing traffic between a macro access node and a micro access node in a heterogeneous network, the method being performed by a network node controller, (Kazuaki, in Fig. 1 and in Paragraphs [0026], [0027], and [0030], teaches that as shown in Fig. 1, a HetNet (Heterogeneous Network) refers to a radio communication system in which macro cells and small cells (including Micro Cells) are placed to overlap each other geographically at least in part. A HetNet is comprised of a macro base station that forms a macro cell, a small base station that forms a small cell, and a user terminal that communicates with the macro base station and the small base station. The distribution of users and traffic are not fixed, but vary over time or between locations. Consequently, when many small cells are placed in a macro cell, the small cells may be placed in such a manner that their density and environment vary (sparse and dense) between locations. In the HetNet shown in FIG. 1, the macro cell (macro base station) and the small cell (small base station) are connected via a backhaul link. Also, a plurality of small base stations, too, may be connected via a backhaul link as well. The connection between macro base stations and small base stations, or the connection between small base stations, may be established with wire connection using optical fiber, non-optical fiber (X2 interface) and so on. As shown in Fig. 11 and in Paragraphs [0073] and [0078], The radio base stations 10 are each connected with a higher station apparatus and are connected to a core network 40 via the higher station apparatus 30. The higher station apparatus 30 may be, for example, an access gateway apparatus, a radio network controller (RNC), a mobility management entity (MME) and so on, but is by no means limited to these. In this observation, it is clear that a network node controller (such as RNC, gateway, or MME) may distribute traffic between a macro access node and a micro access node in a heterogeneous network (HetNet).)
However, Kazuaki does not explicitly teach that the method comprising: obtaining information of current traffic load in the heterogeneous network; and distributing the traffic between the macro access node and the micro access node by adjusting cell shaping beams of the macro access node as a function of the current traffic load, wherein the cell shaping beams are adjusted by adjusting power of the cell shaping beams.
Daewook teaches that the method comprising: obtaining information of current traffic load in the heterogeneous network; and distributing the traffic between the macro access node and the micro access node by adjusting cell shaping beams of the macro access node as a function of the current traffic load. (Daewook, in Fig. 13 and in Paragraphs [0060], [0065], and [0084], teaches that although Daewook does not mention directly a heterogeneous network, in Paragraphs [0060] and [0065], SON (Self-Optimizing Network) technique and MRO (Mobility Robustness Optimization) function for handover are explained when relatively large number of small-cell (can be considered as Micro cell or Pico cell) base stations are disposed than a macro base station and in Paragraphs [0083] and [0085], to overcome their problem, the cell shaping technique that may change a cell area using an AAS (active antenna system) (here, the cell shaping technique with AAS can be considered as cell shaping beamforming.) is used under same environment. Here, an optimal AAS configuration depends on various factors, particularly not only traffic loads and a traffic distribution but also a change in the interference conditions due to a change in the applied deployment change. The Based on this observation, Daewook teaches that the cell shaping technique with AAS can be applied to the environment when Macro cell and small cell is coexisting like Fig. 13 (It can be considered as Heterogeneous Network environment.). In Fig. 1 and Fig. 19 -20 and in Paragraphs [0097] – [0101], Daewook teaches that an eNB to perform cell shaping may request a spatial traffic distribution from neighboring eNBs before determining cell shaping and an invoke indication through an X2 interface (the interface of the network node controller) may be used to request the spatial traffic distribution: a first eNB may plan cell shaping based on a current state (for example, cell loads and a spatial traffic distribution) (S1900). The first eNB may transmit an invoke indication message (or an existing message or a new IE included in a new or existing message) to a second eNB and a third eNB in order to request spatial traffic distributions of the second eNB and the third eNB (S1910). When the message is received from the first eNB (can be a Macro access node since eNB can be working for either Macro or Micro access node), the second eNB and the third eNB may transmit load information messages including the spatial traffic distributions thereof (S1920). When the messages are received from the respective eNBs, the first eNB may determine whether the first eNB is allowed to perform a cell shaping operation based on the received information. When cell shaping is possible, the first eNB may indicate a decision to perform cell shaping to the second eNB and the third eNB and may perform cell shaping. Therefore, it is clear that based on the current traffic load information and traffic distribution of each access node, obtained, in the heterogeneous network, the traffic between the macro access node and the micro access node can be distributed by cell shaping beams (cell shaping with AAS based on traffic load and distribution information of neighbor access nodes) of the macro access node as a function of the current traffic load.) wherein the cell shaping beams are adjusted by adjusting power of the cell shaping beams (Daewook, in Fig. 12 to 14 and Fig. 16 and 17 and in Paragraphs, [0074]-[0080] and Paragraphs [0083]-[0088] teaches that as described in Paragraph [0080], AAS (Active Antenna System) technology generally includes beamforming, cell shaping, and cell splitting techniques. It means that based on AAS, the cell shaping technique is performed and the configuration change of the AAS adjusts the cell area or coverage in the cell shaping, as described in [0083]. Further, as shown in Fig. 12, the AAS is realized in the form of coupling a Radio Frequency (RF) module 1200 to each antenna that is a passive device unlike a conventional passive antenna system. The AAS includes the RF module 1200, i.e. an active device, in each antenna, adjusting power and phase of each antenna module. The AAS may improve matters related to antenna performance (e.g., an increase in the effective length of a small antenna, an increase in bandwidth, a reduction in a coupling and noise reduction, between array devices, or improved transmission power efficiency), enables high integration in connection with Microwave Integrated Circuit (MIC) and Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit (MMIC) technologies and, in particular, may recover a shortcoming caused by a high loss due to a transmission line, limited source power, a reduction in antenna efficiency, or a lack of a phase shifter with excellent performance when applied to millimeter wave band communication systems. Since each antenna is coupled to the RF module 1200, each antenna can be controlled per port and adjusted in phase and output to suit communication environments and situations. Based on this observation, since based on adjusting power and phase of each antenna, AAS improves for an increase in the effective length of a small antenna, an increase in bandwidth, a reduction in a coupling and noise reduction, between array devices, or improved transmission power efficiency. Namely, by adjusting phase and power of each antenna, the power of AAS beam has been adjusted and at the same time, the beam is adjusted. In Fig. 13 and in Paragraphs [0076]-[0077], Daewook teaches that a method for transmitting a UE-specific beam based on an active antenna. In this case of using active antenna, the beam direction is adjusted in a corresponding direction with respect to a certain target to control power based on the location of the target, performing beamforming to the target. Namely, based on beamforming (depending on the configuration of AAS), not only beam directivity but also the power to the target is adjusted. In Fig. 14, transmitting a beam using the 2D active antenna array allows an eNB to enable UE specific horizontal beam steering and vertical beam steering considering various UE heights according to building heights, being used in a real cell environment where a plurality of various buildings exists in a cell. A cell environment where a plurality of buildings with various heights in a cell exists may be taken into consideration. In this case, channel characteristics and the like that are very different from a conventional wireless channel environment may be considered. For example, a beam may be steered in consideration of a change in shade/path loss according to height difference, a change in the fading characteristics including Line of Sight (LoS)/Non-Line of Sight (NLoS), and Direction of Arrival (DoA), etc. The 2D beamforming may adjust beam output power or beam direction based on its configuration (parameters) and accordingly, the beam itself is adjusted. Further, in Paragraphs [0083]-[0088], Daewook teaches that an optimal AAS configuration depends on not only traffic load and a traffic distribution but also a change in the interference conditions due to a change in the applied deployment change. For example, Fig. 16 and Fig. 17 show that the cell shaping with AAS is useful and specifically, in Fig. 17 an eNB may completely cover a traffic hot spot by applying cell shaping. Namely, according to the traffic load and the traffic distribution, the beam power and the beam itself (such as direction, shape, etc.) can be adjusted. Based on the above observation, based on not only the AAS system parameters or configuration but also the network condition (parameter or configuration), the power of beam can be adjusted and the beam itself, such as direction, shape, and/or etc., can be adjusted in cell shaping.
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to combine Kazuaki and Daewook to include the technique of the method comprising: obtaining information of current traffic load in the heterogeneous network; and distributing the traffic between the macro access node and the micro access node by adjusting cell shaping beams of the macro access node as a function of the current traffic load, wherein the cell shaping beams are adjusted by adjusting power of the cell shaping beams of Daewook in the system of Kazuaki to provide the efficient cell shaping method with AAS system by considering traffic load and distribution to increase capacity (Daewook, see Paragraphs [0085]).).
Regarding claim 2, combination of Kazuaki and Daewook teaches the features defined in the claim 1, -refer to the indicated claim for reference(s).
Kazuaki further teaches that wherein the macro access node is configured to provide service in a first serving region and the micro access node is configured to provide service in a second serving region at least partly overlapping with the first serving region (Kazuaki, in Fig. 1 and in Paragraph [0026], teaches that HetNet. As shown in FIG. 1, a HetNet refers to a radio communication system in which macro cells and small cells are placed to overlap each other geographically at least in part. A HetNet is comprised of a macro base station that forms a macro cell, a small base station that forms a small cell, and a user terminal that communicates with the macro base station and the small base station. Therefore, it is clear that a macro access node and a micro access node may provide service in each service region and those serving regions may be overlapped with each other partly, at least.).
Regarding claim 13, combination of Kazuaki and Daewook teaches the features defined in the claim 1, -refer to the indicated claim for reference(s).
Kazuaki further teaches that wherein the current traffic load pertains to combined current traffic load of the macro access node and the micro access node (Kazuaki, in Fig. 5 and in Paragraph [0043], teaches that in Fig. 5 shows macro access node and several micro (small) access nodes can be coexisting and for this case, the traffic load may include the traffic load of a macro access node and the sum of the traffic load of each micro access node. Therefore, it is clear that the current traffic load may be the combined traffic load of the macro access node and the micro access node.).
Regarding claim 18, Kazuaki teaches that a network node controller for distributing traffic between a macro access node and a micro access node in a heterogeneous network, the network node controller comprising processing circuitry, the processing circuitry being configured to cause the network node controller to: (Kazuaki, in Fig. 1 and in Paragraphs [0026], [0027], and [0030], teaches that as shown in Fig. 1, a HetNet (Heterogeneous Network) refers to a radio communication system in which macro cells and small cells (including Micro Cells) are placed to overlap each other geographically at least in part. A HetNet is comprised of a macro base station that forms a macro cell, a small base station that forms a small cell, and a user terminal that communicates with the macro base station and the small base station. The distribution of users and traffic are not fixed, but vary over time or between locations. Consequently, when many small cells are placed in a macro cell, the small cells may be placed in such a manner that their density and environment vary (sparse and dense) between locations. In the HetNet shown in FIG. 1, the macro cell (macro base station) and the small cell (small base station) are connected via a backhaul link. Also, a plurality of small base stations, too, may be connected via a backhaul link as well. The connection between macro base stations and small base stations, or the connection between small base stations, may be established with wire connection using optical fiber, non-optical fiber (X2 interface) and so on. As shown in Fig. 11 and in Paragraphs [0073] and [0078], The radio base stations 10 are each connected with a higher station apparatus and are connected to a core network 40 via the higher station apparatus 30. The higher station apparatus 30 may be, for example, an access gateway apparatus, a radio network controller (RNC), a mobility management entity (MME) and so on, but is by no means limited to these. Fig. 12 is a diagram to show an overall structure of a radio base station 10 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, the radio base station 10 has a plurality of transmitting/receiving antennas 101 for MIMO communication, amplifying sections 102, transmitting/receiving section (a transmitting section and a receiving section) 103, a baseband signal processing section 104, a call processing section 105 and an interface section 106. In this observation, it is clear that a network node controller (such as RNC, gateway, or MME) may distribute traffic between a macro access node and a micro access node in a heterogeneous network (HetNet) and it can be composed on multiple processing circuitries as shown in Fig. 12.)
Kazuaki does not explicitly teach that obtain information of current traffic load in the heterogeneous network; and distribute the traffic between the macro access node and the micro access node by adjusting cell shaping beams of the macro access node as a function of the current traffic load, wherein the cell shaping beams are adjusted by adjusting power of the cell shaping beams.
Daewook teaches that obtain information of current traffic load in the heterogeneous network; and distribute the traffic between the macro access node and the micro access node by adjusting cell shaping beams of the macro access node as a function of the current traffic load (Daewook, in Fig. 13 and in Paragraphs [0060], [0065], and [0084], teaches that although Daewook does not mention directly a heterogeneous network, in Paragraphs [0060] and [0065], SON (Self-Optimizing Network) technique and MRO (Mobility Robustness Optimization) function for handover are explained when relatively large number of small-cell (can be considered as Micro cell or Pico cell) base stations are disposed than a macro base station and in Paragraphs [0083] and [0085], to overcome their problem, the cell shaping technique that may change a cell area using an AAS (active antenna system) (here, the cell shaping technique with AAS can be considered as cell shaping beamforming.) is used under same environment. Here, an optimal AAS configuration depends on various factors, particularly not only traffic loads and a traffic distribution but also a change in the interference conditions due to a change in the applied deployment change. The Based on this observation, Daewook teaches that the cell shaping technique with AAS can be applied to the environment when Macro cell and small cell is coexisting like Fig. 13 (It can be considered as Heterogeneous Network environment.). In Fig. 1 and Fig. 19 -20 and in Paragraphs [0097] – [0101], Daewook teaches that an eNB to perform cell shaping may request a spatial traffic distribution from neighboring eNBs before determining cell shaping and an invoke indication through an X2 interface (the interface of the network node controller) may be used to request the spatial traffic distribution: a first eNB may plan cell shaping based on a current state (for example, cell loads and a spatial traffic distribution) (S1900). The first eNB may transmit an invoke indication message (or an existing message or a new IE included in a new or existing message) to a second eNB and a third eNB in order to request spatial traffic distributions of the second eNB and the third eNB (S1910). When the message is received from the first eNB (can be a Macro access node since eNB can be working for either Macro or Micro access node), the second eNB and the third eNB may transmit load information messages including the spatial traffic distributions thereof (S1920). When the messages are received from the respective eNBs, the first eNB may determine whether the first eNB is allowed to perform a cell shaping operation based on the received information. When cell shaping is possible, the first eNB may indicate a decision to perform cell shaping to the second eNB and the third eNB and may perform cell shaping. Therefore, it is clear that based on the current traffic load information and traffic distribution of each access node, obtained, in the heterogeneous network, the traffic between the macro access node and the micro access node can be distributed by cell shaping beams (cell shaping with AAS based on traffic load and distribution information of neighbor access nodes) of the macro access node as a function of the current traffic load.) wherein the cell shaping beams are adjusted by adjusting power of the cell shaping beams (Daewook, in Fig. 12 to 14 and Fig. 16 and 17 and in Paragraphs, [0074]-[0080] and Paragraphs [0083]-[0088] teaches that as described in Paragraph [0080], AAS (Active Antenna System) technology generally includes beamforming, cell shaping, and cell splitting techniques. It means that based on AAS, the cell shaping technique is performed and the configuration change of the AAS adjusts the cell area or coverage in the cell shaping, as described in [0083]. Further, as shown in Fig. 12, the AAS is realized in the form of coupling a Radio Frequency (RF) module 1200 to each antenna that is a passive device unlike a conventional passive antenna system. The AAS includes the RF module 1200, i.e. an active device, in each antenna, adjusting power and phase of each antenna module. The AAS may improve matters related to antenna performance (e.g., an increase in the effective length of a small antenna, an increase in bandwidth, a reduction in a coupling and noise reduction, between array devices, or improved transmission power efficiency), enables high integration in connection with Microwave Integrated Circuit (MIC) and Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit (MMIC) technologies and, in particular, may recover a shortcoming caused by a high loss due to a transmission line, limited source power, a reduction in antenna efficiency, or a lack of a phase shifter with excellent performance when applied to millimeter wave band communication systems. Since each antenna is coupled to the RF module 1200, each antenna can be controlled per port and adjusted in phase and output to suit communication environments and situations. Based on this observation, since based on adjusting power and phase of each antenna, AAS improves for an increase in the effective length of a small antenna, an increase in bandwidth, a reduction in a coupling and noise reduction, between array devices, or improved transmission power efficiency. Namely, by adjusting phase and power of each antenna, the power of AAS beam has been adjusted and at the same time, the beam is adjusted. In Fig. 13 and in Paragraphs [0076]-[0077], Daewook teaches that a method for transmitting a UE-specific beam based on an active antenna. In this case of using active antenna, the beam direction is adjusted in a corresponding direction with respect to a certain target to control power based on the location of the target, performing beamforming to the target. Namely, based on beamforming (depending on the configuration of AAS), not only beam directivity but also the power to the target is adjusted. In Fig. 14, transmitting a beam using the 2D active antenna array allows an eNB to enable UE specific horizontal beam steering and vertical beam steering considering various UE heights according to building heights, being used in a real cell environment where a plurality of various buildings exists in a cell. A cell environment where a plurality of buildings with various heights in a cell exists may be taken into consideration. In this case, channel characteristics and the like that are very different from a conventional wireless channel environment may be considered. For example, a beam may be steered in consideration of a change in shade/path loss according to height difference, a change in the fading characteristics including Line of Sight (LoS)/Non-Line of Sight (NLoS), and Direction of Arrival (DoA), etc. The 2D beamforming may adjust beam output power or beam direction based on its configuration (parameters) and accordingly, the beam itself is adjusted. Further, in Paragraphs [0083]-[0088], Daewook teaches that an optimal AAS configuration depends on not only traffic load and a traffic distribution but also a change in the interference conditions due to a change in the applied deployment change. For example, Fig. 16 and Fig. 17 show that the cell shaping with AAS is useful and specifically, in Fig. 17 an eNB may completely cover a traffic hot spot by applying cell shaping. Namely, according to the traffic load and the traffic distribution, the beam power and the beam itself (such as direction, shape, etc.) can be adjusted. Based on the above observation, based on not only the AAS system parameters or configuration but also the network condition (parameter or configuration), the power of beam can be adjusted and the beam itself, such as direction, shape, and/or etc., can be adjusted in cell shaping.
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to combine Kazuaki and Daewook to include the technique of obtain information of current traffic load in the heterogeneous network; and distribute the traffic between the macro access node and the micro access node by adjusting cell shaping beams of the macro access node as a function of the current traffic load of Daewook in the system of Kazuaki to provide the efficient cell shaping method with AAS system by considering traffic load and distribution to increase capacity (Daewook, see Paragraphs [0085]).).
Regarding claim 21, Kazuaki teaches that a non-transitory computer readable medium storing a computer program for distributing traffic between a macro access node and a micro access node in a heterogeneous network, the computer program comprising computer code which, when run on processing circuitry of a network node controller, causes the network node controller to: (Kazuaki, in Fig. 1 and in Paragraphs [0026], [0027], and [0030], teaches that as shown in Fig. 1, a HetNet (Heterogeneous Network) refers to a radio communication system in which macro cells and small cells (including Micro Cells) are placed to overlap each other geographically at least in part. A HetNet is comprised of a macro base station that forms a macro cell, a small base station that forms a small cell, and a user terminal that communicates with the macro base station and the small base station. The distribution of users and traffic are not fixed, but vary over time or between locations. Consequently, when many small cells are placed in a macro cell, the small cells may be placed in such a manner that their density and environment vary (sparse and dense) between locations. In the HetNet shown in FIG. 1, the macro cell (macro base station) and the small cell (small base station) are connected via a backhaul link. Also, a plurality of small base stations, too, may be connected via a backhaul link as well. The connection between macro base stations and small base stations, or the connection between small base stations, may be established with wire connection using optical fiber, non-optical fiber (X2 interface) and so on. As shown in Fig. 11 and in Paragraphs [0073] and [0078], The radio base stations 10 are each connected with a higher station apparatus and are connected to a core network 40 via the higher station apparatus 30. The higher station apparatus 30 may be, for example, an access gateway apparatus, a radio network controller (RNC), a mobility management entity (MME) and so on, but is by no means limited to these. Fig. 12 is a diagram to show an overall structure of a radio base station 10 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, the radio base station 10 has a plurality of transmitting/receiving antennas 101 for MIMO communication, amplifying sections 102, transmitting/receiving section (a transmitting section and a receiving section) 103, a baseband signal processing section 104, a call processing section 105 and an interface section 106. In this observation, it is clear that a network node controller (such as RNC, gateway, or MME) may distribute traffic between a macro access node and a micro access node in a heterogeneous network (HetNet) and it can be composed on multiple processing circuitries as shown in Fig. 12.)
Kazuaki does not explicitly teach that obtain information of current traffic load in the distribute the traffic between the macro access node and the micro access node by adjusting cell shaping beams of the macro access node as a function of the current traffic load, wherein the cell shaping beams are adjusted by adjusting power of the cell shaping beams.
Daewook teaches that obtain information of current traffic load in the heterogeneous network; and distribute the traffic between the macro access node and the micro access node by adjusting cell shaping beams of the macro access node as a function of the current traffic load. (Daewook, in Fig. 13 and in Paragraphs [0060], [0065], and [0084], teaches that although Daewook does not mention directly a heterogeneous network, in Paragraphs [0060] and [0065], SON (Self-Optimizing Network) technique and MRO (Mobility Robustness Optimization) function for handover are explained when relatively large number of small-cell (can be considered as Micro cell or Pico cell) base stations are disposed than a macro base station and in Paragraphs [0083] and [0085], to overcome their problem, the cell shaping technique that may change a cell area using an AAS (active antenna system) (here, the cell shaping technique with AAS can be considered as cell shaping beamforming.) is used under same environment. Here, an optimal AAS configuration depends on various factors, particularly not only traffic loads and a traffic distribution but also a change in the interference conditions due to a change in the applied deployment change. The Based on this observation, Daewook teaches that the cell shaping technique with AAS can be applied to the environment when Macro cell and small cell is coexisting like Fig. 13 (It can be considered as Heterogeneous Network environment.). In Fig. 1 and Fig. 19 -20 and in Paragraphs [0097] – [0101], Daewook teaches that an eNB to perform cell shaping may request a spatial traffic distribution from neighboring eNBs before determining cell shaping and an invoke indication through an X2 interface (the interface of the network node controller) may be used to request the spatial traffic distribution: a first eNB may plan cell shaping based on a current state (for example, cell loads and a spatial traffic distribution) (S1900). The first eNB may transmit an invoke indication message (or an existing message or a new IE included in a new or existing message) to a second eNB and a third eNB in order to request spatial traffic distributions of the second eNB and the third eNB (S1910). When the message is received from the first eNB (can be a Macro access node since eNB can be working for either Macro or Micro access node), the second eNB and the third eNB may transmit load information messages including the spatial traffic distributions thereof (S1920). When the messages are received from the respective eNBs, the first eNB may determine whether the first eNB is allowed to perform a cell shaping operation based on the received information. When cell shaping is possible, the first eNB may indicate a decision to perform cell shaping to the second eNB and the third eNB and may perform cell shaping. Therefore, it is clear that based on the current traffic load information and traffic distribution of each access node, obtained, in the heterogeneous network, the traffic between the macro access node and the micro access node can be distributed by cell shaping beams (cell shaping with AAS based on traffic load and distribution information of neighbor access nodes) of the macro access node as a function of the current traffic load.) wherein the cell shaping beams are adjusted by adjusting power of the cell shaping beams (Daewook, in Fig. 12 to 14 and Fig. 16 and 17 and in Paragraphs, [0074]-[0080] and Paragraphs [0083]-[0088] teaches that as described in Paragraph [0080], AAS (Active Antenna System) technology generally includes beamforming, cell shaping, and cell splitting techniques. It means that based on AAS, the cell shaping technique is performed and the configuration change of the AAS adjusts the cell area or coverage in the cell shaping, as described in [0083]. Further, as shown in Fig. 12, the AAS is realized in the form of coupling a Radio Frequency (RF) module 1200 to each antenna that is a passive device unlike a conventional passive antenna system. The AAS includes the RF module 1200, i.e. an active device, in each antenna, adjusting power and phase of each antenna module. The AAS may improve matters related to antenna performance (e.g., an increase in the effective length of a small antenna, an increase in bandwidth, a reduction in a coupling and noise reduction, between array devices, or improved transmission power efficiency), enables high integration in connection with Microwave Integrated Circuit (MIC) and Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit (MMIC) technologies and, in particular, may recover a shortcoming caused by a high loss due to a transmission line, limited source power, a reduction in antenna efficiency, or a lack of a phase shifter with excellent performance when applied to millimeter wave band communication systems. Since each antenna is coupled to the RF module 1200, each antenna can be controlled per port and adjusted in phase and output to suit communication environments and situations. Based on this observation, since based on adjusting power and phase of each antenna, AAS improves for an increase in the effective length of a small antenna, an increase in bandwidth, a reduction in a coupling and noise reduction, between array devices, or improved transmission power efficiency. Namely, by adjusting phase and power of each antenna, the power of AAS beam has been adjusted and at the same time, the beam is adjusted. In Fig. 13 and in Paragraphs [0076]-[0077], Daewook teaches that a method for transmitting a UE-specific beam based on an active antenna. In this case of using active antenna, the beam direction is adjusted in a corresponding direction with respect to a certain target to control power based on the location of the target, performing beamforming to the target. Namely, based on beamforming (depending on the configuration of AAS), not only beam directivity but also the power to the target is adjusted. In Fig. 14, transmitting a beam using the 2D active antenna array allows an eNB to enable UE specific horizontal beam steering and vertical beam steering considering various UE heights according to building heights, being used in a real cell environment where a plurality of various buildings exists in a cell. A cell environment where a plurality of buildings with various heights in a cell exists may be taken into consideration. In this case, channel characteristics and the like that are very different from a conventional wireless channel environment may be considered. For example, a beam may be steered in consideration of a change in shade/path loss according to height difference, a change in the fading characteristics including Line of Sight (LoS)/Non-Line of Sight (NLoS), and Direction of Arrival (DoA), etc. The 2D beamforming may adjust beam output power or beam direction based on its configuration (parameters) and accordingly, the beam itself is adjusted. Further, in Paragraphs [0083]-[0088], Daewook teaches that an optimal AAS configuration depends on not only traffic load and a traffic distribution but also a change in the interference conditions due to a change in the applied deployment change. For example, Fig. 16 and Fig. 17 show that the cell shaping with AAS is useful and specifically, in Fig. 17 an eNB may completely cover a traffic hot spot by applying cell shaping. Namely, according to the traffic load and the traffic distribution, the beam power and the beam itself (such as direction, shape, etc.) can be adjusted. Based on the above observation, based on not only the AAS system parameters or configuration but also the network condition (parameter or configuration), the power of beam can be adjusted and the beam itself, such as direction, shape, and/or etc., can be adjusted in cell shaping.
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to combine Kazuaki and Daewook to include the technique of obtain information of current traffic load in the heterogeneous network; and distribute the traffic between the macro access node and the micro access node by adjusting cell shaping beams of the macro access node as a function of the current traffic load of Daewook in the system of Kazuaki to provide the efficient cell shaping method with AAS system by considering traffic load and distribution to increase capacity (Daewook, see Paragraphs [0085]).).
Claims 3, 5, 9-10, and 17 are rejected under U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kazuaki Takeda and et. al. (USPub No.: US 20170208479 A1, hereinafter “Kazuaki”) in a view of Daewook Byun and et. al. (USPub No.: US 20170311176 A1, hereinafter “Daewook”) and further in a view of Haghighat, Afshin and et. al. (Int. Pub No.: WO 2013112971 A1, hereinafter “Haghighat”).
Regarding claim 3, combination of Kazuaki and Daewook teaches the features defined in the claim 2, -refer to the indicated claim for reference(s).
However, combination of Kazuaki and Daewook does not teach that wherein the cell shaping beams serving the first serving region where the first serving region overlaps with the second serving region are adjusted.
Haghighat teaches that wherein the cell shaping beams serving the first serving region where the first serving region overlaps with the second serving region are adjusted (Haghighat, in Paragraph [0123], teaches that signaling may be used as described herein for such coordinated cell partition. For example, to facilitate the coordinated cell partitioning (including AAS) in a heterogeneous network when multiple cell layers may overlap, the set of beam parameters described in the embodiments herein may be exchanged among the macro and small cells or pico-cells whereas in a homogeneous deployment, each base station may configure its beam parameters autonomously. Such information (e.g. the beam parameters) may be communicated among the neighboring macro cells and/or small or pico-cells to improve interference management (e.g. for cell edge users). In embodiments, such an information exchange may occur using an X2 interface on which beam parameters semi-statistically configured by one base station may be indicated to its neighboring base stations. In this observation, it is clear that cell shaping with AAS (here, cell partitioning with AAS) can generate various serving regions and those regions can be overlapped according to adjusting AAS.
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to combine Kazuaki, Daewook and Haghighat to include the technique of wherein the cell shaping beams serving the first serving region where the first serving region overlaps with the second serving region are adjusted of Haghighat in the system of combination of Kazuaki and Daewook to provide a system and/or methods for managing and/or improving interference between different cells such as smaller cells and Macro cells (Haghighat, see Paragraphs [0003]).).
Regarding claim 5, combination of Kazuaki, Daewook, and Haghighat teaches the features defined in the claim 1, -refer to the indicated claim for reference(s).
Haghighat further teaches that wherein adjusting the power comprises reducing the power of the cell shaping beams from a default power level, and wherein the higher the current traffic load is, the more the power of the cell shaping beams is reduced (Haghighat, in Paragraph [0106], teaches that cell densification by the AAS (e.g. AAS-based cell densification or AAS-based cell partitioning or shaping) may also be applied to different cell layers in a network such as heterogeneous network (e.g. a network with both smaller cells such as pico-cells, micro-cells, and the like and larger cells such as macro-cells). In particular, AAS devices with low power transmission may be used such that applications may be provided for low power transmission nodes such as micro or pico-cells. Therefore, it is clear that since a small cell has more dense or higher traffic load than a macro cell, the cell shaping beam with lower power transmission may be provided. Namely, according to the traffic load or density of a cell, the transmission power level of AAS may be decided and based on this, the cell shape may be made.
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to combine Kazuaki, Daewook and Haghighat to include the technique of wherein adjusting the power comprises reducing the power of the cell shaping beams from a default power level, and wherein the higher the current traffic load is, the more the power of the cell shaping beams is reduced of Haghighat in the system of combination of Kazuaki and Daewook to provide a system and/or methods for managing and/or improving interference between different cells such as smaller cells and Macro cells (Haghighat, see Paragraphs [0003]).).
Regarding claim 9, combination of Kazuaki and Daewook teaches the features defined in the claim 1, -refer to the indicated claim for reference(s).
However, combination of Kazuaki and Daewook does not teach that wherein at least the cell shaping beams having vertically downwards pointing directions are adjusted.
Haghighat teaches that wherein at least the cell shaping beams having vertically downwards pointing directions are adjusted (Haghighat, in Fig. 6 and 7 and in Paragraphs [0098] and [0099], teaches that cell densification (can be considered as cell shaping) may be provided, for example, by partitioning an existing cell into small sub-cells such that narrower beams may be formed by an AAS. By simultaneously emitting or receiving multiple narrow beams from the same AAS or multiple AASs, users in different geographic regions in a cell may be served and/or provided within the same frequency resource, enabling a boost of network capacity from the cell splitting gain. Example embodiments of cell densification may be illustrated in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 where vertically steered beams (e.g. cell partitioning by vertical beamforming) and horizontally steered beams (e.g. cell partitioning by horizontal beamforming) may be used respectively. As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, a cell may be split into 3 sub-cells (e.g. sub-cell 1, 2, and 3) by 3 separated beams (e.g. beam 1, 2, and 3). Additionally, such a cell partition may be performed in both a downlink direction and uplink direction via transmission beam forming or receiving beam forming. In an example embodiment (e.g. a first application embodiment), AAS based cell partitioning may be applied to a homogenous network. Within the existing base station sites already deployed, each macro cell may be further densified with an installation of AAS to facilitate multiple antenna beams simultaneously. Depending on the steering orientation of the beamforming(e.g. vertical and/or horizontal as shown in Figs. 6 and 7) that may be governed by the AAS geometry, one or more of the sub-cell topologies disclosed herein (e.g. below) may be provided and/or may result therefrom. Therefore, it is clear that the cell shaping beams having vertically downwards pointing directions are adjusted.
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to combine Kazuaki, Daewook and Haghighat to include the technique of wherein at least the cell shaping beams having vertically downwards pointing directions are adjusted of Haghighat in the system of combination of Kazuaki and Daewook to provide a system and/or methods for managing and/or improving interference between different cells such as smaller cells and Macro cells (Haghighat, see Paragraphs [0003]).).
Regarding claim 10, combination of Kazuaki and Daewook teaches the features defined in the claim 1, -refer to the indicated claim for reference(s).
However, combination of Kazuaki and Daewook does not teach that wherein at least a subset of the cell shaping beams having horizontal pointing directions is adjusted.
Haghighat teaches that wherein at least a subset of the cell shaping beams having horizontal pointing directions is adjusted (Haghighat, in Fig. 6 and 7 and in Paragraphs [0098] and [0099], teaches that cell densification (can be considered as cell shaping) may be provided, for example, by partitioning an existing cell into small sub-cells such that narrower beams may be formed by an AAS. By simultaneously emitting or receiving multiple narrow beams from the same AAS or multiple AASs, users in different geographic regions in a cell may be served and/or provided within the same frequency resource, enabling a boost of network capacity from the cell splitting gain. Example embodiments of cell densification may be illustrated in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 where vertically steered beams (e.g. cell partitioning by vertical beamforming) and horizontally steered beams (e.g. cell partitioning by horizontal beamforming) may be used respectively. As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, a cell may be split into 3 sub-cells (e.g. sub-cell 1, 2, and 3) by 3 separated beams (e.g. beam 1, 2, and 3). Additionally, such a cell partition may be performed in both a downlink direction and uplink direction via transmission beam forming or receiving beam forming. In an example embodiment (e.g. a first application embodiment), AAS based cell partitioning may be applied to a homogenous network. Within the existing base station sites already deployed, each macro cell may be further densified with an installation of AAS to facilitate multiple antenna beams simultaneously. Depending on the steering orientation of the beamforming(e.g. vertical and/or horizontal as shown in Figs. 6 and 7) that may be governed by the AAS geometry, one or more of the sub-cell topologies disclosed herein (e.g. below) may be provided and/or may result therefrom. Therefore, it is clear that the cell shaping beams having vertically downwards pointing directions are adjusted.
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to combine Kazuaki, Daewook and Haghighat to include the technique of wherein at least a subset of the cell shaping beams having horizontal pointing directions is adjusted of Haghighat in the system of combination of Kazuaki and Daewook to provide a system and/or methods for managing and/or improving interference between different cells such as smaller cells and Macro cells (Haghighat, see Paragraphs [0003]).).
Regarding claim 17, combination of Kazuaki and Daewook teaches the features defined in the claim 1, -refer to the indicated claim for reference(s).
However, combination of Kazuaki and Daewook does not teach that wherein the cell shaping beams are defined by those beams in which reference signals are transmitted by the macro access node.
Haghighat teaches that wherein the cell shaping beams are defined by those beams in which reference signals are transmitted by the macro access node (Haghighhat, in Pargraphs [0110] and [0116], teaches that the AAS based cell partitioning may also be simultaneously applied to both macro and pico-cells in a network such as a heterogeneous network. Such an application to both macro and pico-cells or other small cells in a network may generate or provide a variety of small cell topologies due to the flexibility of the beam tilting control offered by AAS. Additionally, in such an embodiment, a pico-cell may be well isolated if the transmission beams of macros cell may be carefully designed to minimize radiation to the pico cell coverage area. For example, by jointly optimizing the tilting angle and beamwidth of the surrounding sub-cells, the macro cell may be portioned such that the small cell or pico-cell coverage may be singled out as a sub-cell isolated from the others. A beam-specific reference signal may be provided. The beam specific reference signal may be used to assist sub-cell identification and selection. For example, a UE may compare signal strengths (e.g. RSRP) of each beam to determine a sub-cell (e.g. a best sub-cell or a sub-cell with the highest strength of the compared sub-cells. For the purpose of cell identification, a reference signal per beam may be used and such a reference signal may span across an interested frequency band or at least part of it. Therefore, it is clear that the cell shaping beams are defined by those beams in which reference signals are transmitted by the macro access node.
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to combine Kazuaki, Daewook and Haghighat to include the technique of wherein the cell shaping beams are defined by those beams in which reference signals are transmitted by the macro access node of Haghighat in the system of combination of Kazuaki and Daewook to provide a system and/or methods for managing and/or improving interference between different cells such as smaller cells and Macro cells (Haghighat, see Paragraphs [0003]).).
Claims 6-8, and 11 are rejected under U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kazuaki Takeda and et. al. (USPub No.: US 20170208479 A1, hereinafter “Kazuaki”) in a view of Daewook Byun and et. al. (USPub No.: US 20170311176 A1, hereinafter “Daewook”) and further in a view of Kyungmin Park and et. al. (USPub. No.: US 20200084647 A1, hereinafter “Kyungmin”).
Regarding claim 6, combination of Kazuaki and Daewook teaches the features defined in the claim 1, -refer to the indicated claim for reference(s).
However, combination of Kazuaki and Daewook does not teach that wherein the cell shaping beams are adjusted by adjusting beamforming weights of the cell shaping beams.
Kyungmin teaches that wherein the cell shaping beams are adjusted by adjusting beamforming weights of the cell shaping beams (Kyungmin, in Paragraph [0085], [0086], [0108], and [0109], teaches that AAS based cell shaping without cell splitting may be done with beamforming using MIMO dedicated beam as explained in Paragraph [0086]. In general MIMO communication, the directional beamforming (MIMO dedicated beam) can be generated by controlling weights based on various criterion. Therefore, it is clear that the cell shaping beam can be adjusted by the beamforming controlled by the weights.
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to combine Kazuaki, Daewook and Kyungmin to include the technique of wherein the cell shaping beams are adjusted by adjusting beamforming weights of the cell shaping beams of Kungmin in the system of combination of Kazuaki and Daewook to provide a method for cell splitting in a wireless communication system to improve the service capacity (Kyungmin, see Paragraph [0116]).).
Regarding claim 7, combination of Kazuaki and Daewook teaches the features defined in the claim 1, -refer to the indicated claim for reference(s).
However, combination of Kazuaki and Daewook does not teach that wherein adjusting the cell shaping beams comprises splitting at least one cell shaping beam into two new cell shaping beams.
Kyungmin teaches that wherein adjusting the cell shaping beams comprises splitting at least one cell shaping beam into two new cell shaping beams (Kyungmin, in Fig. 5 and in Paragraph [0109] - [0112], [0114] and [0115], teaches that FIG. 5 shows options for AAS-based cell shaping deployment: Option 1: Cell shaping/beamforming without splitting cell, Option 2: Cell splitting without PCI allocation, Option 3: Cell splitting with PCI allocation. FIG. 5-(b) shows a case of option 2 described above. Option 2 makes the eNB reuse resources at each split cell. Accordingly, the traffic load can be reduced by half ideally. However, option 2 has the problem that the UE at the border of two split cells cannot distinguish the signal from one split cell and the signal from the other split cell. FIG. 5-(c) shows a case of option 3 described above. Option 3 assigns an independent PCI to the split cell. Even though it increases the system operational complexity, option 3 has an advantage of reducing the cell traffic load without any confusion on UE side. Accordingly, if considering the aspects of high UE density environment and UE service stability, option 3 would be the most reasonable deployment scenario. Therefore, it is clear that adjusting the cell shaping beams comprises splitting at least one cell shaping beam into two new cell shaping beams.
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to combine Kazuaki, Daewook and Kyungmin to include the technique of wherein adjusting the cell shaping beams comprises splitting at least one cell shaping beam into two new cell shaping beams of Kungmin in the system of combination of Kazuaki and Daewook to provide a method for cell splitting in a wireless communication system to improve the service capacity (Kyungmin, see Paragraph [0116]).).
Regarding claim 8, combination of Kazuaki, Daewook, and Kyungmin teaches the features defined in the claim 7, -refer to the indicated claim for reference(s).
Kyungmin further teaches that wherein the two new cell shaping beams have mutually different beam shapes and sizes (Kyungmin, in Fig. 6 and in Paragraph [0116], teaches that FIG. 6 shows an example of cell split operations among eNBs and the cell splitted can have different shapes, with each other. FIG. 6 shows cell split operations among two eNBs, i.e., eNBl and eNB2. Referring to FIG. 6, cell 1 managed by eNBl is split into cell la and cell lb. By splitting cell, the service capacity of eNB can be improved. Thus, if the amount of the required traffic (or, the number of UEs) in cell 1 of eNBl is high, eNBl can escape from the heavy load status by splitting cell 1 into cell la and cell lb. Moreover, if cell 2 is in the heavy load status, it is possible that eNB1 splits cell 1 and accepts UEs of cell 2. Therefore, it is clear that the two new cell shaping beams have mutually different beam shapes and sizes, depending on the traffic loads in a cell and generating beams.
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to combine Kazuaki, Daewook and Kyungmin to include the technique of wherein the two new cell shaping beams have mutually different beam shapes and sizes of Kungmin in the system of combination of Kazuaki and Daewook to provide a method for cell splitting in a wireless communication system to improve the service capacity (Kyungmin, see Paragraph [0116]).).
Regarding claim 11, combination of Kazuaki and Daewook teaches the features defined in the claim 1, -refer to the indicated claim for reference(s).
However, combination of Kazuaki and Daewook does not teach that wherein the current traffic load pertains only to the current traffic load of the macro access node.
Kyungmin teaches that wherein the current traffic load pertains only to the current traffic load of the macro access node (Kyungmin, in Fig. 5 and in Paragraph [0114], teaches that FIG. 5-(b) shows a case of option 2 described above. Option 2 makes the eNB (can be Macro eNB as shown in [0098]) reuse resources at each split cell. Accordingly, the traffic load can be reduced by half ideally. However, option 2 has the problem that the UE at the border of two split cells cannot distinguish the signal from one split cell and the signal from the other split cell. Therefore, it is clear that the current traffic load pertains only to the current traffic load of the macro access node.
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to combine Kazuaki, Daewook and Kyungmin to include the technique of wherein the current traffic load pertains only to the current traffic load of the macro access node of Kungmin in the system of combination of Kazuaki and Daewook to provide a method for cell splitting in a wireless communication system to improve the service capacity (Kyungmin, see Paragraph [0116]).).
Claims 12 and 14 are rejected under U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kazuaki Takeda and et. al. (USPub No.: US 20170208479 A1, hereinafter “Kazuaki”) in a view of Daewook Byun and et. al. (USPub No.: US 20170311176 A1, hereinafter “Daewook”) and further in a view of Kyungmin Park and et. al. (USPub. No.: US 20200084647 A1, hereinafter “Kyungmin”) and further in a view of Kroener, Hans and et. al. (Int. Pub No.: WO 2015135584 A1, hereinafter “Kroener”).
Regarding claim 12, combination of Kazuaki, Daewook, and Kyungmin teaches the features defined in the claim 11, -refer to the indicated claim for reference(s).
However, combination of Kazuaki, Daewook, and Kyungmin does not teach that wherein the cell shaping beams are adjusted from default beam shapes, wherein adjustment of the cell shaping beams from the default beam shapes is triggered by the current traffic load of the macro access node being higher than a first threshold value, and wherein the cell shaping beams are adjusted back to the default beam shapes when the current traffic load is lower than a second threshold value lower than the first threshold value.
Kroener teaches that wherein the cell shaping beams are adjusted from default beam shapes, wherein adjustment of the cell shaping beams from the default beam shapes is triggered by the current traffic load of the macro access node being higher than a first threshold value, and wherein the cell shaping beams are adjusted back to the default beam shapes when the current traffic load is lower than a second threshold value lower than the first threshold value (Kroener, in Page 22, Lines 19-34, teaches that traffic load can be shifted from the macro cell 100 to the small cell 200/205 in case the CAC (Composite Available Capacity) in the macro cell 100 is below a predetermined threshold (comparable small value) or even zero while at the same time the small cell 200/205 has a sufficiently high CAC as well as sufficiently high DL (Downlink) ABS (Almost Blank Subframe) CAC (i.e. both are equal to or greater than a respective threshold defined e.g. by a network operator), where ABS can be considered as a kind of cell shaping beamforming). Also, a shift of traffic load from the small cell to the macro cell is possible. It is to be noted that load balancing is executed according to examples of embodiments between a respective pair of cells, e.g. between the macro cell 100 and the small cell 200/205. On the other hand, in case the DL ABS CAC is below another predefined threshold (in one or more of the small cells, for example), then an ABS pattern adaptation is started so as to increase the DL ABS resources. It is to be noted that this results in a compromise between the communication area setting the ABS, such as the macro cell 100, and all communication areas profiting from the ABS, such as the one or more small cells that are under the coverage of the macro cell. Since the capacity is used for the threshold, the threshold with traffic load can be opposite, namely, “below threshold” is corresponding to “above threshold”. Based on this observation, the cell shaping beams are adjusted from default beam shapes, wherein adjustment of the cell shaping beams from the default beam shapes is triggered by the current traffic load of the macro access node being higher than a first threshold value.) and wherein the cell shaping beams are adjusted back to the default beam shapes when the current traffic load is lower than a second threshold value lower than the first threshold value (Kroener, in Page 22, Lines 19-34, teaches that based on the threshold (of either traffic load or capacity), the cell shaping beam can be adjusted to achieve the performance. From here, it can imagine that if traffic load is lower than the certain threshold, the cell shaping beam can be adjusted to the default beam shape since the adjusting can be done by parameter change.
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to combine Kazuaki, Daewook, Kyungmin and Kroener to include the technique of wherein the current traffic load pertains only to the current traffic load of the macro access node of Kroener in the system of combination of Kazuaki, Daewook, and Kyungmin to provide a method for load balancing processing in a wireless communication system to improve the network capacity (Kroener, see Page 2, Lines 18-26).).
Regarding claim 14, combination of Kazuaki and Daewook teaches the features defined in the claim 1, -refer to the indicated claim for reference(s).
However, combination of Kazuaki and Daewook does not teach that wherein the current traffic load is defined by spectrum resource utilization in the heterogeneous network.
Kroener teaches that wherein the current traffic load is defined by spectrum resource utilization in the heterogeneous network (Kroener, in Page 5, Lines 20-21 and in Page 11, Lines 26-31, that in the heterogeneous network, the communication area load parameter may be further related to a load component caused by guaranteed bit rate traffic. Based on this observation, the current traffic load can be defined by the spectrum resource utilization (in bits per second) in the heterogeneous network.
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to combine Kazuaki, Daewook, and Kroener to include the technique of wherein the current traffic load is defined by spectrum resource utilization in the heterogeneous network of Kroener in the system of combination of Kazuaki and Daewook to provide a method for load balancing processing in a wireless communication system to improve the network capacity (Kroener, see Page 2, Lines 18-26).).
Claims 15-16 are rejected under U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kazuaki Takeda and et. al. (USPub No.: US 20170208479 A1, hereinafter “Kazuaki”) in a view of Daewook Byun and et. al. (USPub No.: US 20170311176 A1, hereinafter “Daewook”) and further in a view of Gerlach Christian Georg and et. al. (Euro. Pub. No.: EP 2429249 A1, hereinafter “Gerlach”).
Regarding claim 15, combination of Kazuaki and Daewook teaches the features defined in the claim 1, -refer to the indicated claim for reference(s).
However, combination of Kazuaki and Daewook does not teach that wherein the macro access node is configured for operation in a first frequency band and the micro access node is configured for operation in a second frequency band, and wherein the first frequency band and the second frequency band at least partly overlap.
Gerlach teaches that wherein the macro access node is configured for operation in a first frequency band and the micro access node is configured for operation in a second frequency band, and wherein the first frequency band and the second frequency band at least partly overlap (Gerlach, in Fig. 1 and 3 and in Paragraphs [0039]-[0041], teaches the transmission resources 53 are assigned to the macro base stations 15 according to a macro cell resource assignment 57 shown in Figure 3. The first portion of the transmission resource 53, i.e. the first frequency band B1 is assigned to the macro cells 13. That is, the macro base stations 15 may transmit the radio signal using at least a part of the first frequency band B1 with a maximum transmit power P1. The second frequency band B2 is assigned to the macro cells 13, too. However, when using the second frequency band B2, the macro base stations 15, limit the transmission power of the radio signal to a transmit power limit Pred i.e. , the macro base stations 15 transmit with a reduced transmission power. However, the transmission power that can be applied when transmitting using the first frequency band B1 is not limited to the transmit power limit Pred· According to the method, both frequency bands B1, B2 are assigned to the pico-cell 19 as shown in a diagram of a pico-cell resource assignment 59. In an embodiment, the whole first frequency band B1 is assigned to the pico-cell 19. In another embodiment, only a part of the first frequency band B1 is assigned to the pico-cell 19 (see hedged regions in the diagram of the pico-cell resource assignment 59). Limiting the transmission power of the macro base stations 15 to the transmit power limit Pred has the effect that the coverage area of the pico-cells 19 increases (so-called "food print increase"). Figure 1 shows a coverage area A1 of the pico-cells 19 resulting if the macro base stations 15 transmit the radio signal using the second frequency band B2 with unlimited transmission power. The area A2 corresponds to the coverage area of the pico-cell 19 resulting when the transmission power of the macro base stations 15 is limited to the transmit power limit P red when transmitting using the second frequency band B2. Therefore, it is clear that the macro access node and the micro access node are configured to operate in each frequency band, respectively and the frequency bands of both access nodes can be overlapped.
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to combine Kazuaki, Daewook, and Gerlach to include the technique of wherein the macro access node is configured for operation in a first frequency band and the micro access node is configured for operation in a second frequency band, and wherein the first frequency band and the second frequency band at least partly overlap of Gerlach in the system of combination of Kazuaki and Daewook to provide a method, a network element, and a cellular communication network that improve a throughput of cells of a cellular communication network and/or the spectral efficiency of transmission resources of the cellular network (Gerlach, see Paragraph [0005]).).
Regarding claim 16, combination of Kazuaki and Daewook teaches the features defined in the claim 1, -refer to the indicated claim for reference(s).
However, combination of Kazuaki and Daewook does not teach that wherein the macro access node is configured for operation in a first frequency range and the micro access node is configured for operation in a second frequency range, and wherein the second frequency range is a subrange of the first frequency range.
Gerlach teaches that wherein the macro access node is configured for operation in a first frequency range and the micro access node is configured for operation in a second frequency range, and wherein the second frequency range is a subrange of the first frequency range (Gerlach, in Paragraphs [0006], teaches a method for inter-cell interference coordination in a cellular communication network is suggested, the network comprising multiple macro base stations controlling at least one of multiple macro cells of the cellular network and at least one pico base station controlling at least one pico cell of the cellular network, said pico cell being located at least partially within at least one macro cell, said method comprising: assigning a first portion of radio transmission resources of the cellular network and a second portion of said transmission resources to each of said multiple macro base stations for transmitting a radio signal using the first portion and the second portion of said transmission resources and limiting a maximum transmission power of the radio signal to be transmitted using the second portion to a transmit power limit, the transmit power limit being less than a maximum transmit power of the signal to be transmitted using the first portion, wherein the method further comprises assigning the second portion of said transmission resources to the pico base station for transmitting the radio signal using the second portion of said transmission resources. In an example, at least a part of the first portion is assigned to the pico base station, too. Therefore, it is clear that the macro access node and the micro access node are configured to operate in each frequency range, respectively and the second frequency range can be a subrange of the first frequency range.
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to combine Kazuaki, Daewook, and Gerlach to include the technique of wherein the macro access node is configured for operation in a first frequency range and the micro access node is configured for operation in a second frequency range, and wherein the second frequency range is a subrange of the first frequency range of Gerlach in the system of combination of Kazuaki and Daewook to provide a method, a network element, and a cellular communication network that improve a throughput of cells of a cellular communication network and/or the spectral efficiency of transmission resources of the cellular network (Gerlach, see Paragraph [0005]).).
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. 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 nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) 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 mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JAEYOUNG KWAK whose telephone number is (703)756-1768. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 9 AM -5 PM.
Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing 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.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Kevin Bates can be reached at 571-272-3980. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
/JAEYOUNG KWAK/Examiner, Art Unit 2472
/KEVIN T BATES/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2472
Prosecution Insights