DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Response to Amendment
This communication is considered fully responsive to the amendment filed on 10/30/2025.
Claims 1, 17, and 28 have been amended.
Claims 2-4, 18 and 29-34 were previously canceled.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claims 1 and 8 filed on 05/06/2026 have been considered but are found unpersuasive.
Regarding Claims 1, 17, and 28
Applicant asserted that Kim fails to disclose or suggest the added feature “wherein the wake-up signal indicates whether the apparatus can expect to receive a go to sleep (GTS) signal in the DRX active time corresponding to the wake-up signal" as recited in amended independent claim 1. Applicant further argues that Kim’s WUS only indicates whether to monitor a PDCCH in a DRX occasion, and that a PDCCH and a GTS signal are different concepts (see pages 8-9 in Applicant’s argument filed 05/06/2026).
The Examiner respectfully disagrees.
Kim, in para [0195], explicitly defines the GTS as a signal received via the PDCCH: “DCI corresponding to the POSS detected by the UE via monitoring in Active time is referred to as a GTS.” Thus, monitoring a PDCCH during the Active time explicitly encompasses monitoring for the GTS. Furthermore, Kim teaches in para [0428] that a WUS “may indicate the UE to monitor a PDCCH in the DRX occasion related to the WUS.” Because the GTS is defined as the specific DCI/POSS detected by monitoring the PDCCH during the Active time (DRX occasion), the WUS indicating the UE to monitor the PDCCH during this specific time directly equates to indicating whether the UE can expect to receive the GTS signal. Additionally, para [0421] of Kim discloses that the configuration of the GTS (e.g., DCI format, RNTI, a cycle, offset) corresponds to configuration of the WUS, reinforcing that the expectation of receiving a GTS is intrinsically linked to the received WUS.
The Examiner respectfully notes that while the exact features may be discussed in different descriptive embodiments within Kim, a rejection under 35 U.S.C 103 allows for the combination of embodiments within a single reference. Kim explicitly teaches in para [0421] that the GTS configuration corresponds to the WUS. When a network sends a WUS that carries or corresponds to the configuration details (cycle, offset, etc.) of a subsequent GTS signal, that WUS is fundamentally instructing the UE to expect the GTS signal. Because Applicant’s claims do not recite a specific structural mechanism (e.g., a specific bit or flag set/not set) for indicating this expectation, the functional language of “whether the apparatus can expect to receive” is fully met by Kim’s disclosure of linking the GTS monitoring configuration directly to the received WUS.
Therefore, Kim teaches the added feature “wherein the wake-up signal indicates whether the apparatus can expect to receive a go to sleep (GTS) signal in the DRX active time corresponding to the wake-up signal” in amended claim 1.
Regarding Claim 8
Applicant argues that Seo fails to cure the deficiencies of Kim because Seo’s partial PDCCH monitoring (paragraphs [0206-0207] of Seo) is strictly for general PDCCH monitoring and not for a GTS signal. Applicant further argues that while para [0208] of Seo describes a WUS indicating operation in GTS, this implies the GTS is the WUS itself (i.e., received in the same resource), and thus Seo fails to suggest a WUS indicating a different time and frequency resource allocation for a separate GTS signal (see page 10 in Applicant’s argument filed 05/06/2026).
The Examiner respectfully disagree.
Applicant’s argument is flawed as it relies on a false dichotomy between a PDCCH and a GTS signal, and it impermissibly attacks the references individually rather than considering the combined teachings of Kim and Seo.
First, regarding the relationship between PDCCH and GTS, Kim explicitly defines the GTS as a signal detected via PDCCH (see para [0195] of Kim: “the DCI corresponding to the POSS detected by the UE via monitoring in Active time is referred to as a GTS.”). Furthermore, Kim’s GTS includes PDCCH-related configurations (see Kim, paragraphs [0283-0290]). Therefore, Seo’s teaching in para [0207]-where the WUS message dynamically dictates which specific search space set (i.e., time and frequency resource allocation) the UE should monitor-explicitly applies to any subsequent DCI monitoring, including the monitoring for a GTS signal.
Second, Applicant argues that Seo alone does not teach the GTS being in a different time/frequency resource. However, the Examiner’s rejection is based on the combination of Kim and Seo, not Seo alone.
As clearly mapped in the previous Office Action dated February 13, 2026:
Kim provide the differing resources: Kim explicitly discloses that the control resource sets (CORESETs) configured for monitoring the WUS and the GTS can be “equal or different” (Kim, para [0224]). Thus, the concept that a GTS signal is located in a time and frequency resource allocation different from the WUS is squarely disclosed by Kim.
Kim provides the WUS indicating the GTS: Kim further teaches that a WUS can indicate whether the UE should monitor for a GTS within a T duration (Kim, para [0397]).
Seo provides the mechanism for resource indication: Seo teaches the exact mechanism of how a WUS message can dynamically indicate the specific resource allocation for the subsequent operation. Seo paragraphs [0207]-[0208] disclose that the WUS field can define a specific sate (e.g., Alt 5) that restricts the UE to “monitoring only the search space set(s) indicated by the network,” and explicitly links this corresponding field to indicating “operation in GTS.”
It would have been highly obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art (PHOSITA) to apply the dynamic search-space indication mechanism of Seo (Alt 5) to the WUS-GTS framework of Kim. When a PHOSITA configures the WUS and GTS to reside in different CORESETs (as explicitly suggested by Kim [0224]), it naturally follows to use the specific state indication field of Seo (Seo [0207]-[0208]) within the WUS to explicitly point out the distinct time and frequency resource allocation (search space) where the subsequent GTS signal will be transmitted. This combination predictably yields the limitation “wherein the wake-up signal indicates a time and frequency resource allocation for a go to sleep (GTS) signal that is different than a time and frequency resource allocation for the WUS" recited in claim 8 to optimize UE power consumption by strictly limiting the UE’s monitoring to the designated GTS resource.
Accordingly, the rejection of claim 8 under 35 U.S.C 103 is maintained.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claim(s) 1, 5-7, 9-17, and 19-28 rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor, or for pre-AIA the applicant regards as the invention.
Claims 1, 17 and 28 recite the limitation "wherein the wake-up signal indicates whether the apparatus can expect to receive a go to sleep (GTS) signal in the DRX active time corresponding to the wake-up signal” and “…can expect to receive the GTS signal”. The phrase “can expect to” introduces a subjective, mental, or psychological concept into the operation of a physical apparatus. An apparatus, as a technological entity, cannot “expect” or “anticipate” an event in a subjective manner.
Furthermore, the boundaries of what constitutes “expecting” to receive a signal are purely subjective and lack any objective standard or measurable criteria within the claim or the specification (see MPEP §2137.05(b)). It is unclear what specific structural configuration or deterministic functional state of the apparatus corresponds to “can expect to receive” as opposed to simply “receiving” or “being scheduled to receive.” Accordingly, the metes and bounds of the claim are indefinite.
Claims 5-7, 9-16, and 19-27 depend from one of the independent claims, thus carry the same issues as described above, and therefore are rejected on the same grounds discussed above.
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.
Claim(s) 1, 5-7, 9-17, and 19-28 rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kim et al. (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20230131118, hereinafter “Kim”).
Examiner’s note: in what follows, references are drawn to Kim unless otherwise mentioned.
With respect to independent claims 1, 17, and 28:
Regarding claim 1, Kim teaches An apparatus (Fig. 34 and para [0731]; a UE) for wireless communication, comprising:
one or more processors (Fig. 34 and para [0731]; a processor 3403);
one or more memories (Fig. 34 and para [07371]; a memory 3402) coupled with the one or more processors and storing instructions (Fig. 32 and para [0564]; operations of the UE), wherein the instructions are operable, when executed by the one or more processors, to cause the apparatus to:
receive, before a discontinuous receive (DRX) active time, a wake-up signal in a previous group-based downlink control information (DCI) indicating to exit a sleep mode at the apparatus for the DRX active time, wherein the wake-up signal indicates whether the apparatus can expect to receive a go to sleep (GTS) signal in the DRX active time corresponding to the wake-up signal (Fig. 8 and para [0190]: the UE may detect 1st-type DCI 810 (interpreted as “a wake-up signal in a previous group-based downlink control information (DCI) indicating to exit a sleep mode”, see para [0220]: WUS 810) in inActive time (interpreted as “before a discontinuous receive (DRX) active time”)) (para [0195]: the DCI corresponding to the POSS detected by the UE via monitoring in Active time is referred to as a GTS.) (Fig. 20 and para [0425]: Referring to FIG. 20, … the UE may receive a WUS (interpreted as “a wake-up signal in a previous group-based DCI”, see WUS occasion 4810 in Fig. 20) via a PDCCH in time duration configured for the UE to monitor a PDCCH after waking up in every DRX occasion, i.e., particular time duration before Active time 4605 (interpreted as “before a discontinuous receive (DRX) active time”)). Examiner’s note: the group-based DCI is disclosed in Table 9 of Kim) (para [0428]: a WUS … may indicate the UE to monitor a PDCCH in the DRX occasion related to the WUS) (para [0421]: configuration of a GTS may correspond to at least some of configuration of a WUS. For example, configuration about a DCI format, RNTI, a cycle, offset, and the like of the GTS may correspond to configuration about a DCI format, RNTI, a cycle, offset, and the like of the WUS. Also, as described above, embodiments of a WUS may be all applied to a uni-POSS.);
receive, during the DRX active time and based on the wake-up signal indicating that the apparatus can expect to receive the GTS signal, the GTS signal in a group-based DCI indicating to enter the sleep mode at the apparatus (Fig. 8 and para [0190]: the UE … may detect 2nd-type DCI 820 (interpreted as “a go to sleep (GTS) signal in a group-based DCI indicating to enter the sleep mode”, see para [0220]: GTS 820) in Active time 870 (interpreted as “during the DRX active time”), That is, the UE may detect the 1st-type DCI 810 by monitoring a PDCCH in inActive time (interpreted as “based on the wake-up signal indicating that the UE can expect to receive the GTS signal”), and may detect the 2nd-type DCI 820 by monitoring a PDCCH in Active time 870.), wherein the group-based DCI and the previous group-based DCI have a same time and frequency resource allocation within respective time periods (Fig. 10 and para [0216]: the CORESET 1000 for transmitting the WUS 810 and the CORESET 1000 for transmitting the GTS 820 may be equal or different.) (Fig. 10 and para [0220]: the search space 1002 for transmitting the WUS 810 and the GTS 820 may be same.); and
enter, based on receiving the GTS signal, the sleep mode during at least a period of a remaining portion of the DRX active time (para [0280]; when the UE receives the GTS, the UE may stop (or inactivate) a drx-On duration timer and may terminate On duration (interpreted as “enter, based on receiving the GTS signal, the sleep mode during at least a period of a remaining portion of the DRX active time”). Also, the GTS may stop (or inactivate) a drx-inactivity timer and may terminate On duration. However, the disclosure is not limited to the above example, and termination of On duration may include switching to an inactive time or an operation in a sleep mode.).
While Kim discloses the relevant limitations of the WUS and the GTS signals, Kim discusses these features across slightly different embodiments (e.g., description of DCI 810 versus DCI 820, and the GTS configuration). Specifically regarding the limitation “wherein the wake-up signal indicates whether the apparatus can expect to receive a go to sleep (GTS) signal in the DRX active time corresponding to the wake-up signal”, Kim explicitly teaches in para [0421] that the configuration of the GTS (e.g., DCI format, RNTI, cycle, offset) corresponds to the configuration of the WUS.
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art (PHOSITA) at the time of the invention to combine the teaching of the various embodiments within Kim. Specifically, it would have been obvious to configure the WUS of Kim such that its signaling explicitly corresponds to and informs the UE of the GTS configuration (as taught in para [0421] of Kim). By receiving a WUS that dictates the corresponding configuration and monitoring parameters of a subsequent GTS signal, the WUS implicitly indicates to the UE whether it can expect to receive that GTS signal during the active time. A PHOSITA would be motivated to unify these embodiments within Kim’s power-saving framework to ensure the UE accurately knows when to monitor for a GTS signal and when to safely enter sleep mode, thereby maximizing battery efficiency.
Regarding claim 17, Kim teaches An apparatus (Fig. 35 and para [0737]; a BS) for wireless communication, comprising:
one or more processors (Fig. 35 and para [0738]; a processor 3503);
one or more memories (Fig. 35 and para [0738]; a memory 3502) coupled with the one or more processors and storing instructions (Fig. 33 and para [0580]; operations of the BS), wherein the instructions are operable, when executed by the one or more processors, to cause the apparatus to:
transmit, for a user equipment (UE) and before a discontinuous receive (DRX) active time, a wake-up signal in a previous group-based downlink control information (DCI) indicating to exit a sleep mode at the UE for the DRX active time, wherein the wake-up signal indicates whether the UE can expect to receive a go to sleep (GTS) signal in the DRX active time corresponding to the wake-up signal (Fig. 8 and para [0190]: the UE may detect 1st-type DCI 810 (interpreted as “a wake-up signal in a previous group-based downlink control information (DCI) indicating to exit a sleep mode”, see para [0220]: WUS 810) in inActive time (interpreted as “before a discontinuous receive (DRX) active time”)) (para [0195]: the DCI corresponding to the POSS detected by the UE via monitoring in Active time is referred to as a GTS.) (Fig. 20 and para [0425]: Referring to FIG. 20, … the UE may receive a WUS (interpreted as “a wake-up signal in a previous group-based DCI”, see WUS occasion 4810 in Fig. 20) via a PDCCH in time duration configured for the UE to monitor a PDCCH after waking up in every DRX occasion, i.e., particular time duration before Active time 4605 (interpreted as “before a discontinuous receive (DRX) active time”)). Examiner’s note: the group-based DCI is disclosed in Table 9 of Kim) (para [0428]: a WUS … may indicate the UE to monitor a PDCCH in the DRX occasion related to the WUS) (para [0421]: configuration of a GTS may correspond to at least some of configuration of a WUS. For example, configuration about a DCI format, RNTI, a cycle, offset, and the like of the GTS may correspond to configuration about a DCI format, RNTI, a cycle, offset, and the like of the WUS. Also, as described above, embodiments of a WUS may be all applied to a uni-POSS.);
configure the UE to communicate in the DRX active time (para [0170]; drx-onDurationTimer, drx-InactivityTimer, drx-RetransmissionTimerDL, drx-RetransmissionTimerUL, ra-ContentionResolutionTimer, or the like are timers whose values are configured by the BS, and have a function allowing the UE to monitor a PDCCH in a situation where a preset condition is satisfied); and
transmit, during the DRX active time and based on the wake-up signal indicating that the UE can expect to receive the GTS signal, the GTS signal in a group-based DCI indicating to enter the sleep mode at the UE (Fig. 8 and para [0190]: the UE .. may detect 2nd-type DCI 820 (interpreted as “GTS signal in a group-based DCI indicating to enter the sleep mode at the UE”, see para [0220]: GTS 820) in Active time 870 (interpreted as “during the DRX active time”), That is, the UE may detect the 1st-type DCI 810 by monitoring a PDCCH in inActive time (interpreted as “based on the wake-up signal indicating that the UE can expect to receive the GTS signal”), and may detect the 2nd-type DCI 820 by monitoring a PDCCH in Active time 870.), wherein the group-based DCI and the previous group-based DCI at least one of have a same time and frequency resource allocation within respective time periods (Fig. 10 and para [0216]: the CORESET 1000 for transmitting the WUS 810 and the CORESET 1000 for transmitting the GTS 820 may be equal or different.) (Fig. 10 and para [0220]: the search space 1002 for transmitting the WUS 810 and the GTS 820 may be same.).
While Kim discloses the relevant limitations of the WUS and the GTS signals, Kim discusses these features across slightly different embodiments (e.g., description of DCI 810 versus DCI 820, and the GTS configuration). Specifically regarding the limitation “wherein the wake-up signal indicates whether the UE can expect to receive a go to sleep (GTS) signal in the DRX active time corresponding to the wake-up signal”, Kim explicitly teaches in para [0421] that the configuration of the GTS (e.g., DCI format, RNTI, cycle, offset) corresponds to the configuration of the WUS.
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art (PHOSITA) at the time of the invention to combine the teaching of the various embodiments within Kim. Specifically, it would have been obvious to configure the WUS of Kim such that its signaling explicitly corresponds to and informs the UE of the GTS configuration (as taught in para [0421] of Kim). By receiving a WUS that dictates the corresponding configuration and monitoring parameters of a subsequent GTS signal, the WUS implicitly indicates to the UE whether it can expect to receive that GTS signal during the active time. A PHOSITA would be motivated to unify these embodiments within Kim’s power-saving framework to ensure the UE accurately knows when to monitor for a GTS signal and when to safely enter sleep mode, thereby maximizing battery efficiency.
Regarding claim 28, it is a method claim corresponding to the method claim 1, and is therefore rejected for the similar reasons set forth in the rejection of claim 1.
With respect to dependent claims:
Regarding claim 5, Kim teaches The apparatus of claim 1, Kim further teaches wherein the group-based DCI and the previous group-based DCI are in a same search space set (para [0220]: the search space 1002 for transmitting the WUS 810 and the GTS 820 may be same.) and are scrambled with a same radio network temporary identifier (RNTI) (para [0221]; when different DCI formats have a same size and/or RNTI.).
Regarding claim 6, Kim teaches The apparatus of claim 1, Kim further teaches wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to derive at least one of a search space for the group-based DCI or a radio network temporary identifier (RNTI) for the group-based DCI based on at least one of a previous search space for the previous group-based DCI or a previous RNTI for the previous group-based DCI (para [0218]; the BS may configure a search space for transmitting the WUS 810 (interpreted as “a previous group-based DCI”) and the GTS 820 (interpreted as “the group-based DCI”) as a common search space (CSS), a group common search space (GCSS), a UE-specific search space (USS), or at least one of the CSS, the GCSS, and the USS. The UE may monitor the WUS 810 and the GTS 820 in a configured search space.)(para [0219]; a group-common RNTI…)(Examiner’s note; The Specification of the instant application discloses that when the same search space is used, the search space and RNTI for the GTS signal can be derived based on the previous search space or RNTI for WUS. See para [0086] of the Specification; the group-based DCI for the GTS signal can have a same search space and RNTI as the WUS DCI format 2_6, and configuration processing component 352 can determine the search space and RNTI for the GTS signal based on those configured for the WUS DCI format 2_6.).
Regarding claim 7, Kim teaches The apparatus of claim 1, Kim further teaches wherein the GTS signal is of a same format as the wake-up signal and includes an indicator that the GTS signal is for indicating to enter the sleep mode (para [0224]; formats of the WUS 810 and the GTS 820 may be equal…)(para [0222]; the WUS 810 and the GTS 820 may each include ID information 1110 for identifying a DCI format. The ID information 1110 of FIG. 10 for identifying a DCI format may be information for identifying whether it is the WUS 810 or the GTS 820).
Regarding claim 9, Kim teaches The apparatus of claim 1, Kim further teaches wherein the wake-up signal indicates a minimum time offset between the wake-up signal and the GTS signal (para [0421]; configuration of a GTS may correspond to at least some of configuration of a WUS. For example, configuration about a DCI format, RNTI, a cycle, offset, and the like of the GTS may correspond to configuration about a DCI format, RNTI, a cycle, offset, and the like of the WUS.).
Regarding claim 10, Kim teaches The apparatus of claim 1, Kim further teaches wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to receive a configuration indicating a minimum time offset between the wake-up signal and the GTS signal (para [0421]; configuration of a GTS may correspond to at least some of configuration of a WUS. For example, configuration about a DCI format, RNTI, a cycle, offset, and the like of the GTS may correspond to configuration (interpreted as “a configuration indicating a minimum time offset between the wake-up signal and the GTS signal”) about a DCI format, RNTI, a cycle, offset, and the like of the WUS.).
Regarding claim 11, Kim teaches The apparatus of claim 1, Kim further teaches wherein the wake-up signal indicates one or more configuration parameters for the group-based DCI, wherein the one or more configuration parameters include one or more of a search space, a time and frequency resource location, a radio network temporary identifier, a payload size, or a time offset for monitoring the group-based DCI (para [0421]; configuration about a DCI format, RNTI, a cycle, offset, and the like of the GTS (interpreted as “one or more configuration parameters for the group-based DCI”)(para [0247]; the uni-POSS may include at least one parameter or a combination of one or more parameters as in [Table 15])(para [0252]; According to an embodiment of the disclosure, contents of the uni-POSS 1210 transmitted in Active time 1270 may correspond to contents of GTS (interpreted as “group-based DCI”)).
Regarding claim 12, Kim teaches The apparatus of claim 1, Kim further teaches wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to receive a configuration that indicates one or more configuration parameters for the group-based DCI, wherein the one or more configuration parameters include one or more of a search space, a time and frequency resource location, a radio network temporary identifier, a payload size, or a time offset for monitoring the group-based DCI. (para [0421]; configuration about a DCI format, RNTI, a cycle, offset, and the like of the GTS (interpreted as “one or more configuration parameters for the group-based DCI”))(para [0247]; the uni-POSS may include at least one parameter or a combination of one or more parameters as in [Table 15])(para [0252]; According to an embodiment of the disclosure, contents of the uni-POSS 1210 transmitted in Active time 1270 may correspond to contents of GTS (interpreted as “group-based DCI”)). Table15 is reproduced herein below;
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(Table 15 of Kim)
Regarding claim 13, Kim teaches The apparatus of claim 12, Kim further teaches wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to receive the configuration in one or more of radio resource control (RRC) signaling, a media access control-control element (MAC- CE), a different DCI or layer 1 (L1) indication (para [0397]; the BS may configure or indicate the UE whether to perform monitoring or not to perform monitoring on a GTS within Tduration via higher layer signaling (e.g., MAC CE signaling) or L1 signaling (DCI or POSS). The UE may be configured or indicated, by the BS, whether to perform monitoring or not to perform monitoring on a GTS within Tduration via higher layer signaling (e.g., MAC CE signaling) or L1 signaling (DCI or WUS), and may determine whether to monitor a GTS, depending on indication from the BS.).
Regarding claim 14, Kim teaches The apparatus of claim 1, Kim further teaches wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to receive a configuration indicating which bits of the group-based DCI correspond to the GTS signal for the apparatus (para [0418]; a GTS may include PDCCH monitoring configuration information about a plurality of UEs)(para [0419]; when PDCCH monitoring configuration information about a plurality of UEs is included in one GTS 1810, the UE may identify a UE to which PDCCH monitoring configuration information is mapped, according to a bit location in the GTS 1810 (interpreted as “a configuration indicating which bits of the group-based DCI correspond to the GTS signal for the apparatus”).).
Regarding claim 15, Kim teaches The apparatus of claim 14, Kim further teaches wherein the configuration indicates the bits for one or more of a time offset, a time and frequency resource allocation, control resource set (CORESET) information, or an aggregation level for the GTS signal (paragraphs [0283-0290] of Kim; a GTS may be used with a new format or a legacy format. A DCI format used as the GTS may consist of fields below. … Carrier indicator; BWP indicator; CSI request indicator; PDCCH monitoring-related configuration indicator (interpreted as “configuration indicates the bits for one or more of … ”) (PDCCH monitoring occasion 1603 or configuration related thereto, the number of times blind decoding is performed or configuration related thereto, AL, a monitoring occasion, an indicator indicating whether to perform PDCCH monitoring, etc.); At least one or combination of one or more parameters related to transmission and reception which exist in [Table 15]; ). (Examiner’s note: Table15 is reproduced herein below;
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(Table 15 of Kim)
Regarding claim 16, Kim teaches The apparatus of claim 14, Kim further teaches wherein the configuration includes a first branch indicating which bits of the group-based DCI correspond to the GTS signal for the apparatus, and a second branch indicating which bits of a second group-based DCI received outside of the DRX active time correspond to a wake-up signal for the apparatus (Fig. 13 and para [0253] of Kim; The BS may determine whether the uni-POSS 1210 (interpreted as “the configuration”) is transmitted to be monitored and detected by the UE in Active time 1270 or is transmitted to be monitored and detected by the UE in inActive time, and then may transmit, to the UE, the contents of the first table 1310 (interpreted as “a first branch”) or the second table 1320 (interpreted as “a second branch”) by using a combined DCI format.)(para [0254]; contents of the uni-POSS 1210 may always include contents included in both a GTS and a WUS.). (Examiner’s note: Fig. 13 is reproduced herein below;
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(Fig. 13 of Kim)
Regarding claim 19, Kim teaches The apparatus of claim 17, Kim further teaches wherein the group-based DCI and the previous group-based DCI are scrambled with a same radio network temporary identifier (RNTI) (para [0220]: the search space 1002 for transmitting the WUS 810 and the GTS 820 may be same.) (para [0221]; when different DCI formats have a same size and/or RNTI...).
Regarding claim 20, claim 20 has similar limitation as of Claim(s) 7, therefore it is rejected under the same reasons as Claim(s) 7.
Regarding claim 21, Kim teaches The apparatus of claim 17, Kim further teaches wherein the wake-up signal indicates at least one of a time and frequency resource allocation for the GTS signal, or a minimum time offset between the wake-up signal and the GTS signal (para [0421]; configuration of a GTS may correspond to at least some of configuration of a WUS. For example, configuration about a DCI format, RNTI, a cycle, offset, and the like of the GTS may correspond to configuration about a DCI format, RNTI, a cycle, offset, and the like of the WUS.).
Regarding claim 22, Kim teaches The apparatus of claim 17, Kim further teaches wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to transmit a configuration indicating a minimum time offset between the wake-up signal and the GTS signal (para [0421]; configuration of a GTS may correspond to at least some of configuration of a WUS. For example, configuration about a DCI format, RNTI, a cycle, offset, and the like of the GTS may correspond to configuration about a DCI format, RNTI, a cycle, offset, and the like of the WUS.).
Regarding claim 23, Kim teaches The apparatus of claim 17, Kim further teaches wherein the wake-up signal indicates one or more configuration parameters for the group-based DCI, wherein the one or more configuration parameters include one or more of a search space, a time and frequency resource location, a radio network temporary identifier, a payload size, or a time offset for monitoring the group-based DCI (para [0421]; configuration about a DCI format, RNTI, a cycle, offset, and the like of the GTS (interpreted as “one or more configuration parameters for the group-based DCI”)(para [0247]; the uni-POSS may include at least one parameter or a combination of one or more parameters as in [Table 15])(para [0252]; According to an embodiment of the disclosure, contents of the uni-POSS 1210 transmitted in Active time 1270 may correspond to contents of GTS (interpreted as “group-based DCI”))(Examiner’s note: the group-based DCI is disclosed in Table 9 of Kim) .
Regarding claim 24, Kim teaches The apparatus of claim 17, Kim further teaches wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to transmit a configuration that indicates one or more configuration parameters for the group-based DCI, wherein the one or more configuration parameters include one or more of a search space, a time and frequency resource location, a radio network temporary identifier, a payload size, or a time offset for monitoring the group-based DCI (para [0421]; configuration about a DCI format, RNTI, a cycle, offset, and the like of the GTS (interpreted as “one or more configuration parameters for the group-based DCI”)(para [0247]; the uni-POSS may include at least one parameter or a combination of one or more parameters as in [Table 15])(para [0252]; According to an embodiment of the disclosure, contents of the uni-POSS 1210 transmitted in Active time 1270 may correspond to contents of GTS (interpreted as “group-based DCI”)), and wherein transmitting the configuration is in one or more of radio resource control (RRC) signaling, a media access control-control element (MAC-CE), a different DCI or layer 1 (L1) indication (para [0397]; the BS may configure or indicate the UE whether to perform monitoring or not to perform monitoring on a GTS within Tduration via higher layer signaling (e.g., MAC CE signaling) or L1 signaling (DCI or POSS). The UE may be configured or indicated, by the BS, whether to perform monitoring or not to perform monitoring on a GTS within Tduration via higher layer signaling (e.g., MAC CE signaling) or L1 signaling (DCI or WUS), and may determine whether to monitor a GTS, depending on indication from the BS.).
Regarding claim 25, Kim teaches The apparatus of claim 17, Kim further teaches wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to transmit a configuration indicating which bits of the group-based DCI correspond to the GTS signal for the UE (para [0418]; a GTS may include PDCCH monitoring configuration information about a plurality of UEs)(para [0419]; when PDCCH monitoring configuration information about a plurality of UEs is included in one GTS 1810, the UE may identify a UE to which PDCCH monitoring configuration information is mapped, according to a bit location in the GTS 1810 (interpreted as “a configuration indicating which bits of the group-based DCI correspond to the GTS signal for the UE”).).
Regarding claim 26, claim 26 has similar limitation as of Claim(s) 15, therefore it is rejected under the same reasons as Claim(s) 15.
Regarding claim 27, claim 27 has similar limitation as of Claim(s) 16, therefore it is rejected under the same reasons as Claim(s) 16.
Claim(s) 8 rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kim in view of Seo et al.(U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20230247620, hereinafter “Seo”).
Regarding claim 8, Kim teaches An apparatus (Fig. 34 and para [0731]; a UE) for wireless communication, comprising:
one or more processors (Fig. 34 and para [0731]; a processor 3403);
one or more memories (Fig. 34 and para [07371]; a memory 3402) coupled with the one or more processors and storing instructions (Fig. 32 and para [0564]; operations of the UE), wherein the instructions are operable, when executed by the one or more processors, to cause the apparatus to:
receive, before a discontinuous receive (DRX) active time, a wake-up signal (WUS) in a previous group-based downlink control information (DCI) indicating to exit a sleep mode at the apparatus for the DRX active time (Fig. 8 and para [0190]: the UE may detect 1st-type DCI 810 (interpreted as “a wake-up signal in a previous group-based downlink control information (DCI) indicating to exit a sleep mode”, see para [0220]: WUS 810) in inActive time (interpreted as “before a discontinuous receive (DRX) active time”)) (Fig. 20 and para [0425]; Referring to FIG. 20 , the UE may receive a WUS (interpreted as “a wake-up signal in a previous group-based DCI”, see WUS occasion 4810 in Fig. 20) via a PDCCH in time duration configured for the UE to monitor a PDCCH after waking up in every DRX occasion, i.e., particular time duration before Active time 4605 (interpreted as “before a discontinuous receive (DRX) active time”)(Examiner’s note: the group-based DCI is disclosed in Table 9 of Kim)), (para [0224]: CORESETs configured for monitoring the WUS 810 and the GTS 820 may be equal or different (interpreted as “… a time and frequency resource allocation for a go to sleep (GTS) signal that is different than a time and frequency resource allocation for the WUS”)); (The missing/crossed out limitations will be discussed in view of Seo.)
receive, during the DRX active time and (Fig. 8 and para [0190]: may detect 2nd-type DCI 820 (interpreted as “a go to sleep (GTS) signal in a group-based DCI indicating to enter the sleep mode”, see para [0220]: GTS 820) in Active time 870 (interpreted as “during the DRX active time”)); and
enter, based on receiving the GTS signal, the sleep mode during at least a period of a remaining portion of the DRX active time (para [0280]; when the UE receives the GTS, the UE may stop (or inactivate) a drx-On duration timer and may terminate On duration (interpreted as “enter, based on receiving the GTS signal, the sleep mode during at least a period of a remaining portion of the DRX active time”). Also, the GTS may stop (or inactivate) a drx-inactivity timer and may terminate On duration. However, the disclosure is not limited to the above example, and termination of On duration may include switching to an inactive time or an operation in a sleep mode.).
Kim does not specifically teach about "wherein the wake-up signal indicates a time and frequency resource allocation for a go to sleep (GTS) signal …" and “receive, based on the time and frequency resource allocation, the GTS signal”.
It, however, had been known in the art at the time of instant application as shown by Seo (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20230247620, hereinafter “Seo”). Seo discloses that:
para [0115] of Seo: The UE monitors the PDCCH candidate set at a monitoring occasion configured in one or more CORESETs configured according to a corresponding search space configuration. CORESET consists of a set of PRBs having a time interval of 1 to 3 OFDM symbols. (interpreted as “a time and frequency resource allocation”).
para [0174] of Seo: The terminal may perform the power saving operation based on the DCI (S1620). Here, when the terminal performs the power saving operation based on the DCI, it may mean that the terminal performs the DRX operation according to the WUS operation based on the DCI.
para [0189] of Seo: 2. WUS Indication
para [0193] of Seo: The bit length of the WUS message within the WUS DCI (interpreted as “a wake-up signal in a previous group-based downlink control information (DCI)”) may be defined as log_2 (the number of states) or indicated by the network, each state can be predefined or indicated by the network, and each state may be defined by a combination of predefined and network configuration. The state that can be indicated by the network may consider the following operations.
para [0206] of Seo: Alt 5) Partial PDCCH Monitoring (Partial Wakeup)
para [0207] of Seo: PDCCH monitoring-related operations may be relaxed (relaxation) through the WUS message of the WUS DCI. For example, the monitoring period of the search space sets linked in the WUS message may be adjusted. (e.g., applying X multiple of the monitoring period set in normal mode) Alternatively, the UE receiving alt 5 may only monitor the search space set(s) defined in advance or configured by the network. (e.g., monitoring only a set of search spaces (interpreted as “a time and frequency resource allocation”) associated with a specific RNTI(s), monitoring only a set of search spaces of a specific type (e.g., CSS/USS), (for alt 5) monitoring only the search space set(s) indicated by the network (interpreted as “wherein the wake-up signal indicates a time and frequency resource allocation for a go to sleep (GTS) signal …”)
para [0208] of Seo: For example, a state that can be indicated in the WUS field in the WUS DCI is defined as “Alt 1, Alt 2, Alt 3 (and/or Alt 4)” by predefined definition or by the (upper layer signaling) indication of the network, and the length of the corresponding field may be defined as 2 bit(s). In this case, the network may indicate wake-up or operation in GTS through the corresponding field (interpreted as “for a go to sleep (GTS) signal” and “receive, based on the time and frequency resource allocation, the GTS signal”).).
As discussed above, Kim explicitly defines the GTS as a signal detected via PDCCH (see para [0195] of Kim: “the DCI corresponding to the POSS detected by the UE via monitoring in Active time is referred to as a GTS.”). Furthermore, Kim’s GTS includes PDCCH-related configurations (see Kim, paragraphs [0283-0290]). Therefore, Seo’s teaching in para [0207]-where the WUS message dynamically dictates which specific search space set (i.e., time and frequency resource allocation) the UE should monitor-explicitly applies to any subsequent DCI monitoring, including the monitoring for a GTS signal.
It would have been highly obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art (PHOSITA) to apply the dynamic search-space indication mechanism of Seo (Alt 5) to the WUS-GTS framework of Kim. When a PHOSITA configures the WUS and GTS to reside in different CORESETs (as explicitly suggested by Kim [0224]), it naturally follows to use the specific state indication field of Seo (Seo [0207]-[0208]) within the WUS to explicitly point out the distinct time and frequency resource allocation (search space) where the subsequent GTS signal will be transmitted. This combination predictably yields the limitation “wherein the wake-up signal indicates a time and frequency resource allocation for a go to sleep (GTS) signal that is different than a time and frequency resource allocation for the WUS" recited in claim 8 to optimize UE power consumption by strictly limiting the UE’s monitoring to the designated GTS resource.
Conclusion
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any 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.
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/WON JUN CHOI/Examiner, Art Unit 2411
/DERRICK W FERRIS/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2411
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