DEFAULT PATHLOSS REFERENCE SIGNALS FOR MULTI-PANEL UPLINK TRANSMISSIONS

Application No. 18/041,066

• Filed: Feb 08, 2023
• Priority: Sep 30, 2020 — nonprovisional of PCTCN2020119286
• Examiner: YOUNG, STEVE R
• Art Unit: 2477
• Tech Center: 2400 — Computer Networks
• Assignee: Qualcomm Incorporated
• OA Round: 3 (Non-Final)

Office Action

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 . Claims 1-2, 4-10, 12, 14-15, 35-36, 38-46, 48, 69-70, 72-76, 103 are pending.

Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 08/06/2026 has been entered.
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.

This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.

Claims 1-2, 4-7, 9, 35-36, 38-41, 43, 69-70, 72-75, 103 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Chen et al. (US# 2021/0167821 hereinafter referred to as Chen) in view of NPL “Remaining issues on multi-TRP/panel transmission” (hereinafter referred to as Lenovo) and Cirik et al. (US# 2022/0030521 hereinafter referred to as Cirik).

RE Claim 1, Chen discloses a method for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), comprising:
identifying respective transmission/reception point index values corresponding to a first transmission/reception point and a second transmission/reception point (See Chen [0126], [0134] – multi-panel WTRU determining configuration and communicating with multiple TRPs; each TRP configuration containing parameter to differentiate different TRPs (i.e. identification index)), wherein the UE is configured for transmitting at least a first transmission of an uplink signal to the first transmission/reception point using a first antenna panel and a second transmission of the uplink signal to the second transmission/reception point using a second antenna panel different from the first antenna panel (See Chen FIG 7; [0115] – WTRU comprising multiple antenna panels communicating with multiple TRPs);
determining default reference signal resources for one or more reference signals that are associated with the first transmission and the second transmission of the uplink signal (See Chen [0109]-[0111] – if triggered SRS resource set(s) are not configured…the WTRU may transmit the triggered SRS sets by following default rules or by using pre-defined WTRU antenna panels), the default reference signal resources being based at least in part on a determination of whether reference signals are configured (See Chen [0109]-[0111] – if triggered SRS resource set(s) are not configured…), the respective transmission/reception point index values (See Chen [0109]-[0111], [0126], [0134]-[0135] – identification of TRP to differentiate WTRU->TRP communications), and a resource selection rule (See Chen [0109] – the WTRU may transmit the triggered SRS sets by following default rules); and
transmitting the one or more reference signals using the default reference signal resources (See Chen [0115]-[0116]).
Chen does not specifically disclose the default reference signal resources being default pathloss reference signal resources; or
wherein the default pathloss reference signal resources correspond to a first pathloss reference signal identifier value from among a first plurality of pathloss reference signal identifier values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index value of the first transmission/reception point and to a second pathloss reference signal identifier value from among a second plurality of pathloss reference signal identifier values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index value of the second transmission/reception point.
However, Lenovo teaches of the default reference signal resources being default pathloss reference signal resources (See Lenovo 2.1.1, 2.5, 2.5.1 – Proposal 7 – determining resources for pathlossReferenceRS if UE is not provided with PDCCH-SpatialRelationInfo);
wherein the default pathloss reference signal resources correspond to
identifying pathloss reference signal identifier values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values (See Lenovo 2.5, 2.5.1 –UE obtains referenceSignal values for the PUCCH resources associated with index = 0 and index = 1).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to implement the TRP communication system, wherein the default pathloss reference signal resources correspond to
identifying pathloss reference signal identifier values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values, as disclosed in Chen, wherein the default reference signal resources are default pathloss reference signal resources, wherein the default pathloss reference signal resources correspond to
identifying pathloss reference signal identifier values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values, as taught in Lenovo. One is motivated as such in order to improve power control and enable multiple pathlossReferenceRS for different PUCCH resources targeting different TRPs (See Lenovo 1, 2.5).
Chen, modified by Lenovo, does not specifically disclose
wherein the default pathloss reference signal resources correspond to a first pathloss reference signal identifier value from among a first plurality of pathloss reference signal identifier values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index value of the first transmission/reception point and to a second pathloss reference signal identifier value from among a second plurality of pathloss reference signal identifier values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index value of the second transmission/reception point.
However, Cirik teaches of
wherein the default pathloss reference signal resources correspond to a first pathloss reference signal identifier value from among a first plurality of pathloss reference signal identifier values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index value of the first transmission/reception point (See Cirik FIG 18; [0223]-[0226] – The wireless device my determine that the Pathloss Reference RS i, of the pathloss reference RSs 1831, is the default pathloss reference RS for a TRP i+1 (e.g., the TRP index starts from one) and/or for a coreset pool index i) and to a second pathloss reference signal identifier value from among a second plurality of pathloss reference signal identifier values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index value of the second transmission/reception point (See Cirik FIG 18; [0223]-[0226] – Each of the plurality of pathloss reference RSs 1831 may be identified/indicated by a respective pathloss reference RS index of the plurality of pathloss reference RS indexes. A first pathloss reference RS (e.g., Pathloss reference RS 0) of the plurality of pathloss reference RSs 1831 may be identified/indicated by a first pathloss reference RS index. A second pathloss reference RS (e.g., Pathloss reference RS 1) of the plurality of pathloss reference RSs 1831 may be identified/indicated by a second pathloss reference RS index).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to implement the TRP communication system, wherein the default pathloss reference signal resources correspond to
identifying pathloss reference signal identifier values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values, as disclosed in Chen, modified by Lenovo, wherein the default pathloss reference signal resources correspond to a first pathloss reference signal identifier value from among a first plurality of pathloss reference signal identifier values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index value of the first transmission/reception point and to a second pathloss reference signal identifier value from among a second plurality of pathloss reference signal identifier values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index value of the second transmission/reception point, as taught in Cirik. One is motivated as such in order to efficiently control transmit power for communicating with a plurality of TRPs (See Cirik Background; Summary).

RE Claim 2, Chen, modified by Lenovo and Cirik, discloses a method, as set forth in claim 1 above, wherein determining the default pathloss reference signal resources comprises:
determining that the pathloss reference signals are configured via radio resource control signaling (See Chen [0106], [0127] – configuring RS resource set using RRC);
determining that downlink control information or additional radio resource control signaling associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values (See Lenovo 2.5, 2.5.1 – multi-DCI multi-TRP) excludes configuration information for transmitting the one or more pathloss reference signals (See Lenovo 2.5, 2.5.1 – UE is not provided PUCCH-SpatialRelationInfo which configures the multiple PUCCH-PathlossReferenceRS); and
selecting the default pathloss reference signal resources in accordance with the resource selection rule and the respective transmission/reception point index values based at least in part on the pathloss reference signals being configured and the configuration information being excluded (See Lenovo 2.5, 2.5.1 – if UE is not provided PUCCH-SpatialRelationInfo, UE obtains referenceSignal value for the PUCCH resources associated with CORESETPoolIndex=0 in PUCCH-PathlossReferenceRS from the pucch-PathlossReferenceRS-Id with index 0 in PUCCH-PathlossReferenceRS, and obtains the referenceSignal value for the PUCCH resources associated with CORESETPoolIndex=1 in PUCCH-PathlossReferenceRS from the pucch-PathlossReferenceRS-ID with index 1 in PUCCH-PathlossReferenceRS, where RS resource is either on a same serving cell or, if provided, on a serving cell indicated by a value of pathlossReferenceLinking).

RE Claim 4, Chen, modified by Lenovo and Cirik, discloses a method, as set forth in claim 1 above, wherein the first pathloss reference signal identifier value comprises a lowest pathloss reference signal identifier value from among the first plurality of pathloss reference signal identifier values and the second pathloss reference signal identifier value comprises a lowest pathloss reference signal identifier value from among the second plurality of pathloss reference signal identifier values (See Cirik FIG 18; [0223]-[0226] – e.g. Pathloss reference RS 0 and Pathloss reference RS 1).

RE Claim 5, Chen, modified by Lenovo and Cirik, discloses a method, as set forth in claim 2 above, wherein selecting the default pathloss reference signal resources in accordance with the resource selection rule comprises:
identifying a plurality of control resource sets for monitoring for the downlink control information (See Lenovo 2.5, 2.5.1 –UE obtains referenceSignal value for the PUCCH resources associated with CORESETPoolIndex=0 and CORESETPoolIndex=1);
identifying control resource sets from the plurality of control resource sets having control resource set pool index values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values (See Lenovo 2.5, 2.5.1 – UE obtains referenceSignal value for the PUCCH resources associated with CORESETPoolIndex=0 in PUCCH-PathlossReferenceRS from the pucch-PathlossReferenceRS-Id with index 0 in PUCCH-PathlossReferenceRS, and obtains the referenceSignal value for the PUCCH resources associated with CORESETPoolIndex=1 in PUCCH-PathlossReferenceRS from the pucch-PathlossReferenceRS-ID with index 1 in PUCCH-PathlossReferenceRS); and
selecting the default pathloss reference signal resources based at least in part on the control resource set pool index values (See Lenovo 2.5, 2.5.1 –UE obtains referenceSignal value for the PUCCH resources associated with CORESETPoolIndex=0 and CORESETPoolIndex=1), wherein the default pathloss reference signal resources comprise periodic resources that are selected based at least in part on a spatial quasi co-location relationship associated with the identified control resource sets (See Lenovo 2.2 – default TCI state; UE obtains its QCL assumption for the scheduled PDSCH from the activated TCI state with the lowest ID applicable to PDSCH associated with the same CORESETPoolIndex as that configured for the CORESET transmitting the DL DCI in the active BWP of the scheduled cell).

RE Claim 6, Chen, modified by Lenovo and Cirik, discloses a method, as set forth in claim 5 above, wherein the control resource sets having the control resource set pool index values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values are in an active downlink part of a scheduling cell (See Lenovo 2.2 – default TCI state; UE obtains its QCL assumption for the scheduled PDSCH from the activated TCI state with the lowest ID applicable to PDSCH associated with the same CORESETPoolIndex as that configured for the CORESET transmitting the DL DCI in the active BWP of the scheduled cell).

RE Claim 7, Chen, modified by Lenovo and Cirik, discloses a method, as set forth in claim 5 above, wherein the control resource sets having the control resource set pool index values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values are in an active downlink part of a primary cell (See Lenovo 2.2 – default TCI state; UE obtains its QCL assumption for the scheduled PDSCH from the activated TCI state with the lowest ID applicable to PDSCH associated with the same CORESETPoolIndex as that configured for the CORESET transmitting the DL DCI in the active BWP of the scheduled cell), and
wherein the configuration information excluded from the downlink control information comprises spatial beam information on an active uplink bandwidth part of the primary cell (See Lenovo 2.5, 2.5.1 – UE is not provided PUCCH-SpatialRelationInfo which configures the multiple PUCCH-PathlossReferenceRS; on same serving cell).

RE Claim 9, Chen, modified by Lenovo and Cirik, discloses a method, as set forth in claim 2 above, wherein the downlink control information is part of a multiple downlink control information scheme for scheduling the first transmission and the second transmission of the uplink signal (See Lenovo 2.2, 2.5 – proposal 7 – multi-DCI multi-TRP).

RE Claim 35, Chen discloses an apparatus for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), comprising:
One or more processors (See Chen FIG 1B),
One or more memories coupled with the one or more processors (See Chen FIG 1B); and
Instructions stored in the one or more memories and executable by the one or more processors to cause the apparatus to:
identify respective transmission/reception point index values corresponding to a first transmission/reception point and a second transmission/reception point (See Chen [0126], [0134] – multi-panel WTRU determining configuration and communicating with multiple TRPs; each TRP configuration containing parameter to differentiate different TRPs (i.e. identification index)), wherein the UE is configured for transmitting at least a first transmission of an uplink signal to the first transmission/reception point using a first antenna panel and a second transmission of the uplink signal to the second transmission/reception point using a second antenna panel different from the first antenna panel (See Chen FIG 7; [0115] – WTRU comprising multiple antenna panels communicating with multiple TRPs);
determine default reference signal resources for one or more reference signals that are associated with the first transmission and the second transmission of the uplink signal (See Chen [0109]-[0111] – if triggered SRS resource set(s) are not configured…the WTRU may transmit the triggered SRS sets by following default rules or by using pre-defined WTRU antenna panels), the default reference signal resources being based at least in part on a determination of whether reference signals are configured (See Chen [0109]-[0111] – if triggered SRS resource set(s) are not configured…), the respective transmission/reception point index values (See Chen [0109]-[0111], [0126], [0134]-[0135] – identification of TRP to differentiate WTRU->TRP communications), and a resource selection rule (See Chen [0109] – the WTRU may transmit the triggered SRS sets by following default rules); and
transmit the one or more reference signals using the default reference signal resources (See Chen [0115]-[0116]).
Chen does not specifically disclose the default reference signal resources being default pathloss reference signal resources; or
wherein the default pathloss reference signal resources correspond to a first pathloss reference signal identifier value from among a first plurality of pathloss reference signal identifier values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index value of the first transmission/reception point and to a second pathloss reference signal identifier value from among a second plurality of pathloss reference signal identifier values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index value of the second transmission/reception point.
However, Lenovo teaches of the default reference signal resources being default pathloss reference signal resources (See Lenovo 2.1.1, 2.5, 2.5.1 – Proposal 7 – determining resources for pathlossReferenceRS if UE is not provided with PDCCH-SpatialRelationInfo);
wherein the default pathloss reference signal resources correspond to
identifying pathloss reference signal identifier values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values (See Lenovo 2.5, 2.5.1 –UE obtains referenceSignal values for the PUCCH resources associated with index = 0 and index = 1).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to implement the TRP communication system, wherein the default pathloss reference signal resources correspond to
identifying pathloss reference signal identifier values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values, as disclosed in Chen, wherein the default reference signal resources are default pathloss reference signal resources, wherein the default pathloss reference signal resources correspond to
identifying pathloss reference signal identifier values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values, as taught in Lenovo. One is motivated as such in order to improve power control and enable multiple pathlossReferenceRS for different PUCCH resources targeting different TRPs (See Lenovo 1, 2.5).
Chen, modified by Lenovo, does not specifically disclose
wherein the default pathloss reference signal resources correspond to a first pathloss reference signal identifier value from among a first plurality of pathloss reference signal identifier values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index value of the first transmission/reception point and to a second pathloss reference signal identifier value from among a second plurality of pathloss reference signal identifier values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index value of the second transmission/reception point.
However, Cirik teaches of
wherein the default pathloss reference signal resources correspond to a first pathloss reference signal identifier value from among a first plurality of pathloss reference signal identifier values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index value of the first transmission/reception point (See Cirik FIG 18; [0223]-[0226] – The wireless device my determine that the Pathloss Reference RS i, of the pathloss reference RSs 1831, is the default pathloss reference RS for a TRP i+1 (e.g., the TRP index starts from one) and/or for a coreset pool index i) and to a second pathloss reference signal identifier value from among a second plurality of pathloss reference signal identifier values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index value of the second transmission/reception point (See Cirik FIG 18; [0223]-[0226] – Each of the plurality of pathloss reference RSs 1831 may be identified/indicated by a respective pathloss reference RS index of the plurality of pathloss reference RS indexes. A first pathloss reference RS (e.g., Pathloss reference RS 0) of the plurality of pathloss reference RSs 1831 may be identified/indicated by a first pathloss reference RS index. A second pathloss reference RS (e.g., Pathloss reference RS 1) of the plurality of pathloss reference RSs 1831 may be identified/indicated by a second pathloss reference RS index).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to implement the TRP communication system, wherein the default pathloss reference signal resources correspond to
identifying pathloss reference signal identifier values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values, as disclosed in Chen, modified by Lenovo, wherein the default pathloss reference signal resources correspond to a first pathloss reference signal identifier value from among a first plurality of pathloss reference signal identifier values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index value of the first transmission/reception point and to a second pathloss reference signal identifier value from among a second plurality of pathloss reference signal identifier values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index value of the second transmission/reception point, as taught in Cirik. One is motivated as such in order to efficiently control transmit power for communicating with a plurality of TRPs (See Cirik Background; Summary).

RE Claim 36, Chen, modified by Lenovo and Cirik, discloses an apparatus, as set forth in claim 35 above, wherein the instructions to determine the default pathloss reference signal resources are executable by the one or more processors to cause the apparatus to: determine that the pathloss reference signals are configured via radio resource control signaling (See Chen [0106], [0127] – configuring RS resource set using RRC);
determine that downlink control information or additional radio resource control signaling associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values (See Lenovo 2.5, 2.5.1 – multi-DCI multi-TRP) excludes configuration information for transmitting the one or more pathloss reference signals (See Lenovo 2.5, 2.5.1 – UE is not provided PUCCH-SpatialRelationInfo which configures the multiple PUCCH-PathlossReferenceRS); and
select the default pathloss reference signal resources in accordance with the resource selection rule and the respective transmission/reception point index values based at least in part on the pathloss reference signals being configured and the configuration information being excluded (See Lenovo 2.5, 2.5.1 – if UE is not provided PUCCH-SpatialRelationInfo, UE obtains referenceSignal value for the PUCCH resources associated with CORESETPoolIndex=0 in PUCCH-PathlossReferenceRS from the pucch-PathlossReferenceRS-Id with index 0 in PUCCH-PathlossReferenceRS, and obtains the referenceSignal value for the PUCCH resources associated with CORESETPoolIndex=1 in PUCCH-PathlossReferenceRS from the pucch-PathlossReferenceRS-ID with index 1 in PUCCH-PathlossReferenceRS, where RS resource is either on a same serving cell or, if provided, on a serving cell indicated by a value of pathlossReferenceLinking).

RE Claim 38, Chen, modified by Lenovo and Cirik, discloses an apparatus, as set forth in claim 35 above, wherein the first pathloss reference signal identifier value comprises a lowest pathloss reference signal identifier value from among the first plurality of pathloss reference signal identifier values and the second pathloss reference signal identifier value comprises a lowest pathloss reference signal identifier value from among the second plurality of pathloss reference signal identifier values (See Cirik FIG 18; [0223]-[0226] – e.g. Pathloss reference RS 0 and Pathloss reference RS 1).

RE Claim 39, Chen, modified by Lenovo and Cirik, discloses an apparatus, as set forth in claim 36 above, wherein the instructions to select the default pathloss reference signal resources in accordance with the resource selection rule are executable by the one or more processors to cause the apparatus to:
identify a plurality of control resource sets for monitoring for the downlink control information (See Lenovo 2.5, 2.5.1 –UE obtains referenceSignal value for the PUCCH resources associated with CORESETPoolIndex=0 and CORESETPoolIndex=1);
identify control resource sets from the plurality of control resource sets having control resource set pool index values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values (See Lenovo 2.5, 2.5.1 – UE obtains referenceSignal value for the PUCCH resources associated with CORESETPoolIndex=0 in PUCCH-PathlossReferenceRS from the pucch-PathlossReferenceRS-Id with index 0 in PUCCH-PathlossReferenceRS, and obtains the referenceSignal value for the PUCCH resources associated with CORESETPoolIndex=1 in PUCCH-PathlossReferenceRS from the pucch-PathlossReferenceRS-ID with index 1 in PUCCH-PathlossReferenceRS); and
select the default pathloss reference signal resources based at least in part on the control resource set pool index values (See Lenovo 2.5, 2.5.1 –UE obtains referenceSignal value for the PUCCH resources associated with CORESETPoolIndex=0 and CORESETPoolIndex=1), wherein the default pathloss reference signal resources comprise periodic resources that are selected based at least in part on a spatial quasi co-location relationship associated with the identified control resource sets (See Lenovo 2.2 – default TCI state; UE obtains its QCL assumption for the scheduled PDSCH from the activated TCI state with the lowest ID applicable to PDSCH associated with the same CORESETPoolIndex as that configured for the CORESET transmitting the DL DCI in the active BWP of the scheduled cell).

RE Claim 40, Chen, modified by Lenovo and Cirik, discloses an apparatus, as set forth in claim 39 above, wherein the control resource sets having the control resource set pool index values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values are in an active downlink part of a scheduling cell (See Lenovo 2.2 – default TCI state; UE obtains its QCL assumption for the scheduled PDSCH from the activated TCI state with the lowest ID applicable to PDSCH associated with the same CORESETPoolIndex as that configured for the CORESET transmitting the DL DCI in the active BWP of the scheduled cell).

RE Claim 41, Chen, modified by Lenovo and Cirik, discloses an apparatus, as set forth in claim 39 above, wherein the control resource sets having the control resource set pool index values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values are in an active downlink part of a primary cell (See Lenovo 2.2 – default TCI state; UE obtains its QCL assumption for the scheduled PDSCH from the activated TCI state with the lowest ID applicable to PDSCH associated with the same CORESETPoolIndex as that configured for the CORESET transmitting the DL DCI in the active BWP of the scheduled cell), and
wherein the configuration information excluded from the downlink control information comprises spatial beam information on an active uplink bandwidth part of the primary cell (See Lenovo 2.5, 2.5.1 – UE is not provided PUCCH-SpatialRelationInfo which configures the multiple PUCCH-PathlossReferenceRS; on same serving cell).

RE Claim 43, Chen, modified by Lenovo and Cirik, discloses an apparatus, as set forth in claim 36 above, wherein the downlink control information is part of a multiple downlink control information scheme for scheduling the first transmission and the second transmission of the uplink signal (See Lenovo 2.2, 2.5 – proposal 7 – multi-DCI multi-TRP).

RE Claim 69, Chen discloses an apparatus for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), comprising:
Means for identifying respective transmission/reception point index values corresponding to a first transmission/reception point and a second transmission/reception point (See Chen [0126], [0134] – multi-panel WTRU determining configuration and communicating with multiple TRPs; each TRP configuration containing parameter to differentiate different TRPs (i.e. identification index)), wherein the UE is configured for transmitting at least a first transmission of an uplink signal to the first transmission/reception point using a first antenna panel and a second transmission of the uplink signal to the second transmission/reception point using a second antenna panel different from the first antenna panel (See Chen FIG 7; [0115] – WTRU comprising multiple antenna panels communicating with multiple TRPs);
Means for determining default reference signal resources for one or more reference signals that are associated with the first transmission and the second transmission of the uplink signal (See Chen [0109]-[0111] – if triggered SRS resource set(s) are not configured…the WTRU may transmit the triggered SRS sets by following default rules or by using pre-defined WTRU antenna panels), the default reference signal resources being based at least in part on a determination of whether reference signals are configured (See Chen [0109]-[0111] – if triggered SRS resource set(s) are not configured…), the respective transmission/reception point index values (See Chen [0109]-[0111], [0126], [0134]-[0135] – identification of TRP to differentiate WTRU->TRP communications), and a resource selection rule (See Chen [0109] – the WTRU may transmit the triggered SRS sets by following default rules); and
Means for transmitting the one or more reference signals using the default reference signal resources (See Chen [0115]-[0116]).
Chen does not specifically disclose the default reference signal resources being default pathloss reference signal resources; or
wherein the default pathloss reference signal resources correspond to a first pathloss reference signal identifier value from among a first plurality of pathloss reference signal identifier values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index value of the first transmission/reception point and to a second pathloss reference signal identifier value from among a second plurality of pathloss reference signal identifier values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index value of the second transmission/reception point.
However, Lenovo teaches of the default reference signal resources being default pathloss reference signal resources (See Lenovo 2.1.1, 2.5, 2.5.1 – Proposal 7 – determining resources for pathlossReferenceRS if UE is not provided with PDCCH-SpatialRelationInfo);
wherein the default pathloss reference signal resources correspond to
identifying pathloss reference signal identifier values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values (See Lenovo 2.5, 2.5.1 –UE obtains referenceSignal values for the PUCCH resources associated with index = 0 and index = 1).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to implement the TRP communication system, wherein the default pathloss reference signal resources correspond to
identifying pathloss reference signal identifier values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values, as disclosed in Chen, wherein the default reference signal resources are default pathloss reference signal resources, wherein the default pathloss reference signal resources correspond to
identifying pathloss reference signal identifier values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values, as taught in Lenovo. One is motivated as such in order to improve power control and enable multiple pathlossReferenceRS for different PUCCH resources targeting different TRPs (See Lenovo 1, 2.5).
Chen, modified by Lenovo, does not specifically disclose
wherein the default pathloss reference signal resources correspond to a first pathloss reference signal identifier value from among a first plurality of pathloss reference signal identifier values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index value of the first transmission/reception point and to a second pathloss reference signal identifier value from among a second plurality of pathloss reference signal identifier values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index value of the second transmission/reception point.
However, Cirik teaches of
wherein the default pathloss reference signal resources correspond to a first pathloss reference signal identifier value from among a first plurality of pathloss reference signal identifier values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index value of the first transmission/reception point (See Cirik FIG 18; [0223]-[0226] – The wireless device my determine that the Pathloss Reference RS i, of the pathloss reference RSs 1831, is the default pathloss reference RS for a TRP i+1 (e.g., the TRP index starts from one) and/or for a coreset pool index i) and to a second pathloss reference signal identifier value from among a second plurality of pathloss reference signal identifier values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index value of the second transmission/reception point (See Cirik FIG 18; [0223]-[0226] – Each of the plurality of pathloss reference RSs 1831 may be identified/indicated by a respective pathloss reference RS index of the plurality of pathloss reference RS indexes. A first pathloss reference RS (e.g., Pathloss reference RS 0) of the plurality of pathloss reference RSs 1831 may be identified/indicated by a first pathloss reference RS index. A second pathloss reference RS (e.g., Pathloss reference RS 1) of the plurality of pathloss reference RSs 1831 may be identified/indicated by a second pathloss reference RS index).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to implement the TRP communication system, wherein the default pathloss reference signal resources correspond to
identifying pathloss reference signal identifier values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values, as disclosed in Chen, modified by Lenovo, wherein the default pathloss reference signal resources correspond to a first pathloss reference signal identifier value from among a first plurality of pathloss reference signal identifier values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index value of the first transmission/reception point and to a second pathloss reference signal identifier value from among a second plurality of pathloss reference signal identifier values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index value of the second transmission/reception point, as taught in Cirik. One is motivated as such in order to efficiently control transmit power for communicating with a plurality of TRPs (See Cirik Background; Summary).

RE Claim 70, Chen, modified by Lenovo and Cirik, discloses an apparatus, as set forth in claim 69 above, wherein means for determining the default pathloss reference signal resources comprises:
Means for determining that the pathloss reference signals are configured via radio resource control signaling (See Chen [0106], [0127] – configuring RS resource set using RRC);
means for determining that downlink control information or additional radio resource control signaling associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values (See Lenovo 2.5, 2.5.1 – multi-DCI multi-TRP) excludes configuration information for transmitting the one or more pathloss reference signals (See Lenovo 2.5, 2.5.1 – UE is not provided PUCCH-SpatialRelationInfo which configures the multiple PUCCH-PathlossReferenceRS); and
means for selecting the default pathloss reference signal resources in accordance with the resource selection rule and the respective transmission/reception point index values based at least in part on the pathloss reference signals being configured and the configuration information being excluded (See Lenovo 2.5, 2.5.1 – if UE is not provided PUCCH-SpatialRelationInfo, UE obtains referenceSignal value for the PUCCH resources associated with CORESETPoolIndex=0 in PUCCH-PathlossReferenceRS from the pucch-PathlossReferenceRS-Id with index 0 in PUCCH-PathlossReferenceRS, and obtains the referenceSignal value for the PUCCH resources associated with CORESETPoolIndex=1 in PUCCH-PathlossReferenceRS from the pucch-PathlossReferenceRS-ID with index 1 in PUCCH-PathlossReferenceRS, where RS resource is either on a same serving cell or, if provided, on a serving cell indicated by a value of pathlossReferenceLinking).

RE Claim 72, Chen, modified by Lenovo and Cirik, discloses an apparatus, as set forth in claim 69 above, wherein the first pathloss reference signal identifier value comprises a lowest pathloss reference signal identifier value from among the first plurality of pathloss reference signal identifier values and the second pathloss reference signal identifier value comprises a lowest pathloss reference signal identifier value from among the second plurality of pathloss reference signal identifier values (See Cirik FIG 18; [0223]-[0226] – e.g. Pathloss reference RS 0 and Pathloss reference RS 1).

RE Claim 73, Chen, modified by Lenovo and Cirik, discloses an apparatus, as set forth in claim 70 above, wherein means for selecting the default pathloss reference signal resources in accordance with the resource selection rule comprises:
means for identifying a plurality of control resource sets for monitoring for the downlink control information (See Lenovo 2.5, 2.5.1 –UE obtains referenceSignal value for the PUCCH resources associated with CORESETPoolIndex=0 and CORESETPoolIndex=1);
means for identifying control resource sets from the plurality of control resource sets having control resource set pool index values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values (See Lenovo 2.5, 2.5.1 – UE obtains referenceSignal value for the PUCCH resources associated with CORESETPoolIndex=0 in PUCCH-PathlossReferenceRS from the pucch-PathlossReferenceRS-Id with index 0 in PUCCH-PathlossReferenceRS, and obtains the referenceSignal value for the PUCCH resources associated with CORESETPoolIndex=1 in PUCCH-PathlossReferenceRS from the pucch-PathlossReferenceRS-ID with index 1 in PUCCH-PathlossReferenceRS); and
means for selecting the default pathloss reference signal resources based at least in part on the control resource set pool index values (See Lenovo 2.5, 2.5.1 –UE obtains referenceSignal value for the PUCCH resources associated with CORESETPoolIndex=0 and CORESETPoolIndex=1), wherein the default pathloss reference signal resources comprise periodic resources that are selected based at least in part on a spatial quasi co-location relationship associated with the identified control resource sets (See Lenovo 2.2 – default TCI state; UE obtains its QCL assumption for the scheduled PDSCH from the activated TCI state with the lowest ID applicable to PDSCH associated with the same CORESETPoolIndex as that configured for the CORESET transmitting the DL DCI in the active BWP of the scheduled cell).

RE Claim 74, Chen, modified by Lenovo and Cirik, discloses an apparatus, as set forth in claim 73 above, wherein the control resource sets having the control resource set pool index values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values are in an active downlink part of a scheduling cell (See Lenovo 2.2 – default TCI state; UE obtains its QCL assumption for the scheduled PDSCH from the activated TCI state with the lowest ID applicable to PDSCH associated with the same CORESETPoolIndex as that configured for the CORESET transmitting the DL DCI in the active BWP of the scheduled cell).

RE Claim 75, Chen, modified by Lenovo and Cirik, discloses an apparatus, as set forth in claim 73 above, wherein the control resource sets having the control resource set pool index values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values are in an active downlink part of a primary cell (See Lenovo 2.2 – default TCI state; UE obtains its QCL assumption for the scheduled PDSCH from the activated TCI state with the lowest ID applicable to PDSCH associated with the same CORESETPoolIndex as that configured for the CORESET transmitting the DL DCI in the active BWP of the scheduled cell), and
wherein the configuration information excluded from the downlink control information comprises spatial beam information on an active uplink bandwidth part of the primary cell (See Lenovo 2.5, 2.5.1 – UE is not provided PUCCH-SpatialRelationInfo which configures the multiple PUCCH-PathlossReferenceRS; on same serving cell).

RE Claim 103, Chen discloses a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), the code comprising instructions executable by one or more processors (See Chen FIG 1B) to:
identify respective transmission/reception point index values corresponding to a first transmission/reception point and a second transmission/reception point (See Chen [0126], [0134] – multi-panel WTRU determining configuration and communicating with multiple TRPs; each TRP configuration containing parameter to differentiate different TRPs (i.e. identification index)), wherein the UE is configured for transmitting at least a first transmission of an uplink signal to the first transmission/reception point using a first antenna panel and a second transmission of the uplink signal to the second transmission/reception point using a second antenna panel different from the first antenna panel (See Chen FIG 7; [0115] – WTRU comprising multiple antenna panels communicating with multiple TRPs);
determine default reference signal resources for one or more reference signals that are associated with the first transmission and the second transmission of the uplink signal (See Chen [0109]-[0111] – if triggered SRS resource set(s) are not configured…the WTRU may transmit the triggered SRS sets by following default rules or by using pre-defined WTRU antenna panels), the default reference signal resources being based at least in part on a determination of whether reference signals are configured (See Chen [0109]-[0111] – if triggered SRS resource set(s) are not configured…), the respective transmission/reception point index values (See Chen [0109]-[0111], [0126], [0134]-[0135] – identification of TRP to differentiate WTRU->TRP communications), and a resource selection rule (See Chen [0109]-[0111] – the WTRU may transmit the triggered SRS sets by following default rules); and
transmit the one or more reference signals using the default reference signal resources (See Chen [0115]-[0116]).
Chen does not specifically disclose the default reference signal resources being default pathloss reference signal resources; or
wherein the default pathloss reference signal resources correspond to a first pathloss reference signal identifier value from among a first plurality of pathloss reference signal identifier values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index value of the first transmission/reception point and to a second pathloss reference signal identifier value from among a second plurality of pathloss reference signal identifier values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index value of the second transmission/reception point.
However, Lenovo teaches of the default reference signal resources being default pathloss reference signal resources (See Lenovo 2.1.1, 2.5, 2.5.1 – Proposal 7 – determining resources for pathlossReferenceRS if UE is not provided with PDCCH-SpatialRelationInfo);
wherein the default pathloss reference signal resources correspond to
identifying pathloss reference signal identifier values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values (See Lenovo 2.5, 2.5.1 –UE obtains referenceSignal values for the PUCCH resources associated with index = 0 and index = 1).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to implement the TRP communication system, wherein the default pathloss reference signal resources correspond to
identifying pathloss reference signal identifier values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values, as disclosed in Chen, wherein the default reference signal resources are default pathloss reference signal resources, wherein the default pathloss reference signal resources correspond to
identifying pathloss reference signal identifier values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values, as taught in Lenovo. One is motivated as such in order to improve power control and enable multiple pathlossReferenceRS for different PUCCH resources targeting different TRPs (See Lenovo 1, 2.5).
Chen, modified by Lenovo, does not specifically disclose
wherein the default pathloss reference signal resources correspond to a first pathloss reference signal identifier value from among a first plurality of pathloss reference signal identifier values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index value of the first transmission/reception point and to a second pathloss reference signal identifier value from among a second plurality of pathloss reference signal identifier values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index value of the second transmission/reception point.
However, Cirik teaches of
wherein the default pathloss reference signal resources correspond to a first pathloss reference signal identifier value from among a first plurality of pathloss reference signal identifier values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index value of the first transmission/reception point (See Cirik FIG 18; [0223]-[0226] – The wireless device my determine that the Pathloss Reference RS i, of the pathloss reference RSs 1831, is the default pathloss reference RS for a TRP i+1 (e.g., the TRP index starts from one) and/or for a coreset pool index i) and to a second pathloss reference signal identifier value from among a second plurality of pathloss reference signal identifier values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index value of the second transmission/reception point (See Cirik FIG 18; [0223]-[0226] – Each of the plurality of pathloss reference RSs 1831 may be identified/indicated by a respective pathloss reference RS index of the plurality of pathloss reference RS indexes. A first pathloss reference RS (e.g., Pathloss reference RS 0) of the plurality of pathloss reference RSs 1831 may be identified/indicated by a first pathloss reference RS index. A second pathloss reference RS (e.g., Pathloss reference RS 1) of the plurality of pathloss reference RSs 1831 may be identified/indicated by a second pathloss reference RS index).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to implement the TRP communication system, wherein the default pathloss reference signal resources correspond to
identifying pathloss reference signal identifier values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values, as disclosed in Chen, modified by Lenovo, wherein the default pathloss reference signal resources correspond to a first pathloss reference signal identifier value from among a first plurality of pathloss reference signal identifier values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index value of the first transmission/reception point and to a second pathloss reference signal identifier value from among a second plurality of pathloss reference signal identifier values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index value of the second transmission/reception point, as taught in Cirik. One is motivated as such in order to efficiently control transmit power for communicating with a plurality of TRPs (See Cirik Background; Summary).

Claims 8, 10, 12, 14-15, 42, 44-46, 48, 76 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Chen et al. (US# 2021/0167821 hereinafter referred to as Chen) in view of NPL “Remaining issues on multi-TRP/panel transmission” (hereinafter referred to as Lenovo), Cirik et al. (US# 2022/0030521 hereinafter referred to as Cirik) and Ji et al. (US# 2023/0023719 hereinafter referred to as Ji).

RE Claim 8, Chen, modified by Lenovo and Cirik, discloses a method, as set forth in claim 2 above. Chen, modified by Lenovo and Cirik, does not specifically disclose further comprising:
determining that the configuration information excluded from the downlink control information comprises sounding reference signal resource indicator fields associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values, wherein selecting the default pathloss reference signal resources in accordance with the resource selection rule comprises:
identifying a mapping between power control identifier values and pathloss reference signal identifier values that are associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values; and
selecting the default pathloss reference signal resources based at least in part on the pathloss reference signal identifier values and in accordance with the mapping.
However, Ji teaches of
determining that the configuration information excluded from the downlink control information comprises sounding reference signal resource indicator fields (See Ji [0477] – SRS resource indicator field in DCI) associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values (See Ji [0440] – table 37 (pg. 40) – SRS-spatialrelationInfo is part of SRS config; [0496] when spatial relation info is not indicated (i.e. default)), wherein selecting the default pathloss reference signal resources in accordance with the resource selection rule comprises:
identifying a mapping between power control identifier values and pathloss reference signal identifier values that are associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values (See Ji [0496], [0498] – the BS may configure a plurality of pathloss RSs for PUCCH power control within pathlossRefereneRSs IE in which case the connection relation between the pathloss RS and the TRP index may be established); and
selecting the default pathloss reference signal resources based at least in part on the pathloss reference signal identifier values and in accordance with the mapping (See Ji [0496], [0498] – selecting default pathloss RSs for PUCCH power control based on pathloss RS identifiers and mapping; The connection relation may be predefined. For example, a pathloss RS corresponding to a zeroth index may be connected to a first TRP index, and a pathloss RS corresponding to a first index may be connected to a second TRP index. Alternatively, the pathlossRS for each TRP may be implicitly indicated while there is no pathlossReferenceRSs IE configuration. For example, it may be assumed that a specific RS used for the first TRP index, for example, a QCL-typeD RS of a TCI state used in the lowest CORESET within CORESETPoolIndex=0 is a pathlossRS for the first TRP index).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to implement the TRP communication system, as disclosed in Chen, modified by Lenovo and Cirik, further comprising:
determining that the configuration information excluded from the downlink control information comprises sounding reference signal resource indicator fields associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values, wherein selecting the default pathloss reference signal resources in accordance with the resource selection rule comprises:
identifying a mapping between power control identifier values and pathloss reference signal identifier values that are associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values; and
selecting the default pathloss reference signal resources based at least in part on the pathloss reference signal identifier values and in accordance with the mapping, as taught in Ji. One is motivated as such in order to help reduce overhead (See Ji [0016]).

RE Claim 10, Chen, modified by Lenovo and Cirik, discloses a method, as set forth in claim 2 above, further comprising a format of the downlink control information activating the first transmission and the second transmission of the uplink signal (See Lenovo 2.5.1 – proposals 8 & 9 – DDCI format applies to multiple PUCCH resources); and
wherein the selected default pathloss reference signal resources comprise resources of a serving cell (See Lenovo 2.5, 2.5.1 – where RS resource is either on a same serving cell or, if provided, on a serving cell indicated by a value of pathlossReferenceLinking).
Chen, modified by Lenovo and Cirik, does not specifically disclose further comprising:
determining that the configuration information excluded from the additional radio resource control signaling comprises uplink configured grant parameters, wherein selecting the default pathloss reference signal resources in accordance with the resource selection rule comprises:
identifying a mapping between sounding reference signal resource indicator fields associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values and pathloss reference signal indicator values; and
selecting the default pathloss reference signal resources based at least in part on pathloss reference signal identifier values and in accordance with the mapping.
However, Ji teaches of
determining that the configuration information excluded from the additional radio resource control signaling comprises uplink configured grant parameters (See Ji [0465] – does not include RRC-configuredUplinkGrant), wherein selecting the default pathloss reference signal resources in accordance with the resource selection rule comprises:
identifying a mapping between sounding reference signal resource indicator fields associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values and pathloss reference signal indicator values (See Ji [0496], [0498] – the BS may configure a plurality of pathloss RSs for PUCCH power control within pathlossRefereneRSs IE in which case the connection relation between the pathloss RS and the TRP index may be established); and
selecting the default pathloss reference signal resources based at least in part on pathloss reference signal identifier values and in accordance with the mapping (See Ji [0496], [0498] – selecting default pathloss RSs for PUCCH power control based on pathloss RS identifiers and mapping; The connection relation may be predefined. For example, a pathloss RS corresponding to a zeroth index may be connected to a first TRP index, and a pathloss RS corresponding to a first index may be connected to a second TRP index. Alternatively, the pathlossRS for each TRP may be implicitly indicated while there is no pathlossReferenceRSs IE configuration. For example, it may be assumed that a specific RS used for the first TRP index, for example, a QCL-typeD RS of a TCI state used in the lowest CORESET within CORESETPoolIndex=0 is a pathlossRS for the first TRP index).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to implement the TRP communication system, as disclosed in Chen, modified by Lenovo and Cirik, further comprising:
determining that the configuration information excluded from the additional radio resource control signaling comprises uplink configured grant parameters, wherein selecting the default pathloss reference signal resources in accordance with the resource selection rule comprises:
identifying a mapping between sounding reference signal resource indicator fields associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values and pathloss reference signal indicator values; and
selecting the default pathloss reference signal resources based at least in part on pathloss reference signal identifier values and in accordance with the mapping, as taught in Ji. One is motivated as such in order to help reduce overhead (See Ji [0016]).

RE Claim 12, Chen, modified by Lenovo and Cirik, discloses a method, as set forth in claim 2 above, further comprising:
determining a format of the downlink control information activating the first transmission and the second transmission of the uplink signal (See Lenovo 2.5.1 – proposals 8 & 9 – DDCI format applies to multiple PUCCH resources), wherein selecting the default pathloss reference signal resources in accordance with the resource selection rule comprises:
identifying pathloss reference signal identifier values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values (See Lenovo 2.5, 2.5.1 –UE obtains referenceSignal values for the PUCCH resources associated with index = 0 and index = 1); and
selecting the default pathloss reference signal resources based at least in part on the pathloss reference signal identifier values (See Lenovo 2.5, 2.5.1 – UE obtains referenceSignal value for the PUCCH resources associated with CORESETPoolIndex=0 in PUCCH-PathlossReferenceRS from the pucch-PathlossReferenceRS-Id with index 0 in PUCCH-PathlossReferenceRS, and obtains the referenceSignal value for the PUCCH resources associated with CORESETPoolIndex=1 in PUCCH-PathlossReferenceRS from the pucch-PathlossReferenceRS-ID with index 1 in PUCCH-PathlossReferenceRS), wherein the selected default pathloss reference signal resources comprise resources of a serving cell (See Lenovo 2.5, 2.5.1 – where RS resource is either on a same serving cell or, if provided, on a serving cell indicated by a value of pathlossReferenceLinking).
Chen, modified by Lenovo and Cirik, does not specifically disclose determining that the configuration information excluded from the additional radio resource control signaling comprises one or more configured grant parameters.
However, Ji teaches of determining that the configuration information excluded from the additional radio resource control signaling comprises one or more configured grant parameters (See Ji [0465] – does not include RRC-configuredUplinkGrant).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to implement the TRP communication system, as disclosed in Chen, modified by Lenovo and Cirik, further comprising:
determining that the configuration information excluded from the additional radio resource control signaling comprises one or more configured grant parameters, as taught in Ji. One is motivated as such in order to help reduce overhead (See Ji [0016]).

RE Claim 14, Chen, modified by Lenovo and Cirik, discloses a method, as set forth in claim 1 above. Chen, modified by Lenovo and Cirik, does not specifically disclose wherein determining the default pathloss reference signal resources comprises:
determining that the pathloss reference signals are not configured via radio resource control signaling;
determining that downlink control information excludes configuration information for transmitting the one or more pathloss reference signals, the configuration information comprising sounding reference signal resource indicator fields; and
selecting the default pathloss reference signal resources in accordance with the resource selection rule and the respective transmission/reception point index values based at least in part on the pathloss reference signals not being configured and the configuration information being excluded.
However, Ji teaches of wherein determining the default pathloss reference signal resources comprises:
determining that the pathloss reference signals are not configured via radio resource control signaling (See Ji [0465] – does not include RRC-configureduplinkgrant);
determining that downlink control information excludes configuration information for transmitting the one or more pathloss reference signals (See Ji [0440] – table 37 (pg. 40) – SRS-spatialrelationInfo is part of SRS config; [0496] when spatial relation info is not indicated (i.e. default)), the configuration information comprising sounding reference signal resource indicator fields (See Ji [0477] – SRS resource indicator field in DCI); and
selecting the default pathloss reference signal resources in accordance with the resource selection rule and the respective transmission/reception point index values based at least in part on the pathloss reference signals not being configured and the configuration information being excluded (See Ji [0496], [0498] – selecting default pathloss RSs for PUCCH power control based on pathloss RS identifiers and mapping; The connection relation may be predefined. For example, a pathloss RS corresponding to a zeroth index may be connected to a first TRP index, and a pathloss RS corresponding to a first index may be connected to a second TRP index. Alternatively, the pathlossRS for each TRP may be implicitly indicated while there is no pathlossReferenceRSs IE configuration. For example, it may be assumed that a specific RS used for the first TRP index, for example, a QCL-typeD RS of a TCI state used in the lowest CORESET within CORESETPoolIndex=0 is a pathlossRS for the first TRP index).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to implement the TRP communication system, as disclosed in Chen, modified by Lenovo and Cirik, wherein determining the default pathloss reference signal resources comprises:
determining that the pathloss reference signals are not configured via radio resource control signaling;
determining that downlink control information excludes configuration information for transmitting the one or more pathloss reference signals, the configuration information comprising sounding reference signal resource indicator fields; and
selecting the default pathloss reference signal resources in accordance with the resource selection rule and the respective transmission/reception point index values based at least in part on the pathloss reference signals not being configured and the configuration information being excluded, as taught in Ji. One is motivated as such in order to help reduce overhead (See Ji [0016]).

RE Claim 15, Chen, modified by Lenovo, Cirik and Ji, discloses a method, as set forth in claim 14 above, wherein selecting the default pathloss reference signal resources in accordance with the resource selection rule comprises:
identifying a plurality of control resource sets for monitoring for the downlink control information (See Lenovo 2.5, 2.5.1 –UE obtains referenceSignal value for the PUCCH resources associated with CORESETPoolIndex=0 and CORESETPoolIndex=1), wherein the downlink control information is part of a multiple downlink control information scheme for scheduling the first transmission and the second transmission of the uplink signal (See Lenovo 2.2, 2.5 – proposal 7 – multi-DCI multi-TRP);
identifying control resource sets from the plurality of control resource sets having control resource set pool index values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values (See Lenovo 2.5, 2.5.1 – UE obtains referenceSignal value for the PUCCH resources associated with CORESETPoolIndex=0 in PUCCH-PathlossReferenceRS from the pucch-PathlossReferenceRS-Id with index 0 in PUCCH-PathlossReferenceRS, and obtains the referenceSignal value for the PUCCH resources associated with CORESETPoolIndex=1 in PUCCH-PathlossReferenceRS from the pucch-PathlossReferenceRS-ID with index 1 in PUCCH-PathlossReferenceRS), wherein the identified control resource sets are within an active downlink bandwidth part (See Lenovo 2.2 – default TCI state; UE obtains its QCL assumption for the scheduled PDSCH from the activated TCI state with the lowest ID applicable to PDSCH associated with the same CORESETPoolIndex as that configured for the CORESET transmitting the DL DCI in the active BWP of the scheduled cell); and
selecting the default pathloss reference signal resources based at least in part on the control resource set pool index values (See Lenovo 2.5, 2.5.1 –UE obtains referenceSignal value for the PUCCH resources associated with CORESETPoolIndex=0 and CORESETPoolIndex=1), wherein the default pathloss reference signal resources comprise periodic resources that are selected based at least in part on a spatial quasi co-location relationship associated with the identified control resource sets (See Lenovo 2.2 – default TCI state; UE obtains its QCL assumption for the scheduled PDSCH from the activated TCI state with the lowest ID applicable to PDSCH associated with the same CORESETPoolIndex as that configured for the CORESET transmitting the DL DCI in the active BWP of the scheduled cell).

RE Claim 42, Chen, modified by Lenovo and Cirik, discloses an apparatus, as set forth in claim 36 above. Chen, modified by Lenovo and Cirik, does not specifically disclose wherein the instructions are further executable by the one or more processors to cause the apparatus to: determine that the configuration information excluded from the downlink control information comprises sounding reference signal resource indicator fields associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values, wherein selecting the default pathloss reference signal resources in accordance with the resource selection rule comprises:
identify a mapping between power control identifier values and pathloss reference signal identifier values that are associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values; and
select the default pathloss reference signal resources based at least in part on the pathloss reference signal identifier values and in accordance with the mapping.
However, Ji teaches of
determining that the configuration information excluded from the downlink control information comprises sounding reference signal resource indicator fields (See Ji [0477] – SRS resource indicator field in DCI) associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values (See Ji [0440] – table 37 (pg. 40) – SRS-spatialrelationInfo is part of SRS config; [0496] when spatial relation info is not indicated (i.e. default)), wherein selecting the default pathloss reference signal resources in accordance with the resource selection rule comprises:
identifying a mapping between power control identifier values and pathloss reference signal identifier values that are associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values (See Ji [0496], [0498] – the BS may configure a plurality of pathloss RSs for PUCCH power control within pathlossRefereneRSs IE in which case the connection relation between the pathloss RS and the TRP index may be established); and
selecting the default pathloss reference signal resources based at least in part on the pathloss reference signal identifier values and in accordance with the mapping (See Ji [0496], [0498] – selecting default pathloss RSs for PUCCH power control based on pathloss RS identifiers and mapping; The connection relation may be predefined. For example, a pathloss RS corresponding to a zeroth index may be connected to a first TRP index, and a pathloss RS corresponding to a first index may be connected to a second TRP index. Alternatively, the pathlossRS for each TRP may be implicitly indicated while there is no pathlossReferenceRSs IE configuration. For example, it may be assumed that a specific RS used for the first TRP index, for example, a QCL-typeD RS of a TCI state used in the lowest CORESET within CORESETPoolIndex=0 is a pathlossRS for the first TRP index).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to implement the TRP communication system, as disclosed in Chen, modified by Lenovo and Cirik, further comprising:
determining that the configuration information excluded from the downlink control information comprises sounding reference signal resource indicator fields associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values, wherein selecting the default pathloss reference signal resources in accordance with the resource selection rule comprises:
identifying a mapping between power control identifier values and pathloss reference signal identifier values that are associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values; and
selecting the default pathloss reference signal resources based at least in part on the pathloss reference signal identifier values and in accordance with the mapping, as taught in Ji. One is motivated as such in order to help reduce overhead (See Ji [0016]).

RE Claim 44, Chen, modified by Lenovo and Cirik, discloses an apparatus, as set forth in claim 36 above, wherein the instructions are further executable by the one or more processors to cause the apparatus to: determine a format of the downlink control information activating the first transmission and the second transmission of the uplink signal (See Lenovo 2.5.1 – proposals 8 & 9 – DDCI format applies to multiple PUCCH resources); and
wherein the selected default pathloss reference signal resources comprise resources of a serving cell (See Lenovo 2.5, 2.5.1 – where RS resource is either on a same serving cell or, if provided, on a serving cell indicated by a value of pathlossReferenceLinking).
Chen, modified by Lenovo and Cirik, does not specifically disclose further comprising:
determining that the configuration information excluded from the additional radio resource control signaling comprises uplink configured grant parameters, wherein selecting the default pathloss reference signal resources in accordance with the resource selection rule comprises:
identifying a mapping between sounding reference signal resource indicator fields associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values and pathloss reference signal indicator values; and
selecting the default pathloss reference signal resources based at least in part on pathloss reference signal identifier values and in accordance with the mapping.
However, Ji teaches of
determining that the configuration information excluded from the additional radio resource control signaling comprises uplink configured grant parameters (See Ji [0465] – does not include RRC-configuredUplinkGrant), wherein selecting the default pathloss reference signal resources in accordance with the resource selection rule comprises:
identifying a mapping between sounding reference signal resource indicator fields associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values and pathloss reference signal indicator values (See Ji [0496], [0498] – the BS may configure a plurality of pathloss RSs for PUCCH power control within pathlossRefereneRSs IE in which case the connection relation between the pathloss RS and the TRP index may be established); and
selecting the default pathloss reference signal resources based at least in part on pathloss reference signal identifier values and in accordance with the mapping (See Ji [0496], [0498] – selecting default pathloss RSs for PUCCH power control based on pathloss RS identifiers and mapping; The connection relation may be predefined. For example, a pathloss RS corresponding to a zeroth index may be connected to a first TRP index, and a pathloss RS corresponding to a first index may be connected to a second TRP index. Alternatively, the pathlossRS for each TRP may be implicitly indicated while there is no pathlossReferenceRSs IE configuration. For example, it may be assumed that a specific RS used for the first TRP index, for example, a QCL-typeD RS of a TCI state used in the lowest CORESET within CORESETPoolIndex=0 is a pathlossRS for the first TRP index).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to implement the TRP communication system, as disclosed in Chen, modified by Lenovo and Cirik, further comprising:
determining that the configuration information excluded from the additional radio resource control signaling comprises uplink configured grant parameters, wherein selecting the default pathloss reference signal resources in accordance with the resource selection rule comprises:
identifying a mapping between sounding reference signal resource indicator fields associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values and pathloss reference signal indicator values; and
selecting the default pathloss reference signal resources based at least in part on pathloss reference signal identifier values and in accordance with the mapping, as taught in Ji. One is motivated as such in order to help reduce overhead (See Ji [0016]).

RE Claim 45, Chen, modified by Lenovo, Cirik and Ji, discloses an apparatus, as set forth in claim 44 above, wherein the downlink control information is part of a single downlink control information scheme for scheduling the first transmission and the second transmission of the uplink signal (See Ji [0330], [0332] – single DCI for multiple TRP communication).

RE Claim 46, Chen, modified by Lenovo and Cirik, discloses an apparatus, as set forth in claim 36 above, herein the instructions are further executable by the one or more processors to cause the apparatus to:
determine a format of the downlink control information activating the first transmission and the second transmission of the uplink signal (See Lenovo 2.5.1 – proposals 8 & 9 – DDCI format applies to multiple PUCCH resources), wherein the instructions to select the default pathloss reference signal resources in accordance with the resource selection rule are executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: identify pathloss reference signal identifier values associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values (See Lenovo 2.5, 2.5.1 –UE obtains referenceSignal values for the PUCCH resources associated with index = 0 and index = 1); and
select the default pathloss reference signal resources based at least in part on the pathloss reference signal identifier values (See Lenovo 2.5, 2.5.1 – UE obtains referenceSignal value for the PUCCH resources associated with CORESETPoolIndex=0 in PUCCH-PathlossReferenceRS from the pucch-PathlossReferenceRS-Id with index 0 in PUCCH-PathlossReferenceRS, and obtains the referenceSignal value for the PUCCH resources associated with CORESETPoolIndex=1 in PUCCH-PathlossReferenceRS from the pucch-PathlossReferenceRS-ID with index 1 in PUCCH-PathlossReferenceRS), wherein the selected default pathloss reference signal resources comprise resources of a serving cell (See Lenovo 2.5, 2.5.1 – where RS resource is either on a same serving cell or, if provided, on a serving cell indicated by a value of pathlossReferenceLinking).
Chen, modified by Lenovo and Cirik, does not specifically disclose determining that the configuration information excluded from the additional radio resource control signaling comprises one or more configured grant parameters.
However, Ji teaches of determining that the configuration information excluded from the additional radio resource control signaling comprises one or more configured grant parameters (See Ji [0465] – does not include RRC-configuredUplinkGrant).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to implement the TRP communication system, as disclosed in Chen, modified by Lenovo, further comprising:
determining that the configuration information excluded from the additional radio resource control signaling comprises one or more configured grant parameters, as taught in Ji. One is motivated as such in order to help reduce overhead (See Ji [0016]).

RE Claim 48, Chen, modified by Lenovo and Cirik, discloses an apparatus, as set forth in claim 35 above. Chen, modified by Lenovo and Cirik, does not specifically disclose wherein the instructions to determine the default pathloss reference signal resources are executable by the one or more processors to cause the apparatus to:
determine that the pathloss reference signals are not configured via radio resource control signaling;
determine that downlink control information excludes configuration information for transmitting the one or more pathloss reference signals, the configuration information comprising sounding reference signal resource indicator fields; and
select the default pathloss reference signal resources in accordance with the resource selection rule and the respective transmission/reception point index values based at least in part on the pathloss reference signals not being configured and the configuration information being excluded.
However, Ji teaches of wherein the instructions to determine the default pathloss reference signal resources are executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:
determine that the pathloss reference signals are not configured via radio resource control signaling (See Ji [0465] – does not include RRC-configureduplinkgrant);
determine that downlink control information excludes configuration information for transmitting the one or more pathloss reference signals (See Ji [0440] – table 37 (pg. 40) – SRS-spatialrelationInfo is part of SRS config; [0496] when spatial relation info is not indicated (i.e. default)), the configuration information comprising sounding reference signal resource indicator fields (See Ji [0477] – SRS resource indicator field in DCI); and
select the default pathloss reference signal resources in accordance with the resource selection rule and the respective transmission/reception point index values based at least in part on the pathloss reference signals not being configured and the configuration information being excluded (See Ji [0496], [0498] – selecting default pathloss RSs for PUCCH power control based on pathloss RS identifiers and mapping; The connection relation may be predefined. For example, a pathloss RS corresponding to a zeroth index may be connected to a first TRP index, and a pathloss RS corresponding to a first index may be connected to a second TRP index. Alternatively, the pathlossRS for each TRP may be implicitly indicated while there is no pathlossReferenceRSs IE configuration. For example, it may be assumed that a specific RS used for the first TRP index, for example, a QCL-typeD RS of a TCI state used in the lowest CORESET within CORESETPoolIndex=0 is a pathlossRS for the first TRP index).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to implement the TRP communication system, as disclosed in Chen, modified by Lenovo and Cirik, wherein the instructions to determine the default pathloss reference signal resources are executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:
determine that the pathloss reference signals are not configured via radio resource control signaling;
determine that downlink control information excludes configuration information for transmitting the one or more pathloss reference signals, the configuration information comprising sounding reference signal resource indicator fields; and
select the default pathloss reference signal resources in accordance with the resource selection rule and the respective transmission/reception point index values based at least in part on the pathloss reference signals not being configured and the configuration information being excluded, as taught in Ji. One is motivated as such in order to help reduce overhead (See Ji [0016]).

RE Claim 76, Chen, modified by Lenovo and Cirik, discloses an apparatus, as set forth in claim 70 above. Chen, modified by Lenovo and Cirik, does not specifically disclose further comprising:
means for determining that the configuration information excluded from the downlink control information comprises sounding reference signal resource indicator fields associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values, wherein the means for selecting the default pathloss reference signal resources in accordance with the resource selection rule comprises:
means for identifying a mapping between power control identifier values and pathloss reference signal identifier values that are associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values; and
means for selecting the default pathloss reference signal resources based at least in part on the pathloss reference signal identifier values and in accordance with the mapping.
However, Ji teaches of
means for determining that the configuration information excluded from the downlink control information comprises sounding reference signal resource indicator fields (See Ji [0477] – SRS resource indicator field in DCI) associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values (See Ji [0440] – table 37 (pg. 40) – SRS-spatialrelationInfo is part of SRS config; [0496] when spatial relation info is not indicated (i.e. default)), wherein the means for selecting the default pathloss reference signal resources in accordance with the resource selection rule comprises:
means for identifying a mapping between power control identifier values and pathloss reference signal identifier values that are associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values (See Ji [0496], [0498] – the BS may configure a plurality of pathloss RSs for PUCCH power control within pathlossRefereneRSs IE in which case the connection relation between the pathloss RS and the TRP index may be established); and
means for selecting the default pathloss reference signal resources based at least in part on the pathloss reference signal identifier values and in accordance with the mapping (See Ji [0496], [0498] – selecting default pathloss RSs for PUCCH power control based on pathloss RS identifiers and mapping; The connection relation may be predefined. For example, a pathloss RS corresponding to a zeroth index may be connected to a first TRP index, and a pathloss RS corresponding to a first index may be connected to a second TRP index. Alternatively, the pathlossRS for each TRP may be implicitly indicated while there is no pathlossReferenceRSs IE configuration. For example, it may be assumed that a specific RS used for the first TRP index, for example, a QCL-typeD RS of a TCI state used in the lowest CORESET within CORESETPoolIndex=0 is a pathlossRS for the first TRP index).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to implement the TRP communication system, as disclosed in Chen, modified by Lenovo and Cirik, further comprising:
means for determining that the configuration information excluded from the downlink control information comprises sounding reference signal resource indicator fields associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values, wherein the means for selecting the default pathloss reference signal resources in accordance with the resource selection rule comprises:
means for identifying a mapping between power control identifier values and pathloss reference signal identifier values that are associated with the respective transmission/reception point index values; and
means for selecting the default pathloss reference signal resources based at least in part on the pathloss reference signal identifier values and in accordance with the mapping, as taught in Ji. One is motivated as such in order to help reduce overhead (See Ji [0016]).

Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 08/06/2026 have been fully considered but they are moot in view of new grounds of rejection, necessitated by amendment (See Claims above, Cirik reference).

Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Wang et al. (US# 2023/0140323 – which teaches of determining configuration for default pathloss reference signal associated with an uplink signal to be transmitted using inter-cell multi-transmission-reception point (TRP) operation).

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/STEVE R YOUNG/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2477

Prosecution Timeline

• Feb 08, 2023: Application Filed
• Jan 28, 2026: Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103
• Apr 27, 2026: Response Filed
• May 12, 2026: Final Rejection mailed — §103
• Jul 09, 2026: Response after Non-Final Action
• Aug 06, 2026: Request for Continued Examination
• Aug 14, 2026: Response after Non-Final Action
• Aug 27, 2026: Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103 (current)