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
Claims 1, 26, 33-34, 36-38, 44 and 47 have been amended. No claim has been newly added or cancelled. The status of claims 1-4, 25-26, 32-38, 44 and 47 are pending.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed on Sept 23, 2026 have been fully considered but they are
not persuasive.
The Applicant alleged that Girolamo et al (US20230171738A1, PCT Priority Date: Apr 10, 2020) fails to anticipate: “wherein a sidelink bandwidth part, SL-BWP, is provided for a communication in the wireless communication network,
wherein, for a sidelink, SL, communication, the UE is to operate on one or more resource pools, RPs, having a number of time resources and a number of frequency resources,
wherein the UE is to carry out sensing only on certain frequency resources of the SL-BWP,
wherein the UE is to carry out sensing only in one or more sensing frequency regions, SFRs, the one or more SFRs comprising only the certain frequency resources of the SL-BWP, a number of the certain frequency resources being less than a total number of frequency resources of the SL- BWP, and
wherein the UE is to receive from the wireless communication network a resource pool configuration defining for the SL-BWP the one or more SFRs” by arguing that “Girolamo pertains to the field of sidelink communication and, more specifically, the use of assistance information. Initially, there is a substantial difference between a configuration and assistance information… a configuration refers to the provision of parameters required for the UE to access and operate within a mobile network, whereas assistance information refers to real-time reports a device or network entity voluntarily sends for optimizing performance”.
In response the Examiner respectfully disagrees because Girolamo’738 discloses:
a UE acting as a requester UE and using resource allocation Mode 2 may send to a network an indication that the requester UE is capable of using assistance information and receive configuration information related to assistance information (par 0008);
Assistance information may be in the form of a resource allocation to a requester UE (0089);
FIG. 11B, a transmitting UE may receive different kinds of assistance information, such as Sensing List, candidate resource list, Scheduling with Reserved Resources, HARQ feedback, measurement report of RSRP, CSI, and/or CBR, etc., from an RSU, a Lead of a group or a Lead of the proximity (par 0237);
The Sensing List may contain five items of information. First, is sidelink bandwidth part (SL BWP) ID(s). Second is resource pool ID(s). Third is zone ID(s) (par 0238);
Fourth is resource list(s) reserved and/or available in time, e.g., slots, in frequency, e.g., PRBs or subchannels… (par 0239);
Third is dynamically Scheduled Resources of a SL BWP ID, a resource pool ID or a zone ID indicated by NR PSCCH in the common search space or group search space or UE search space, for example, a bit map with slots indicating the resources scheduled in time corresponding to the associated subchannels and space (e.g., beam index or ID/TRP index or ID/sidelink reference signal resource pool index, SL DMRS port, SL QCL or SL TCI, etc.); or an index point of a resource table (e.g., with start and length in time) with time and frequency and space (e.g., beam index or ID/TRP index or ID/sidelink reference signal resource pool index, SL DMRS port, SL QCL or SL TCI, etc.) (par 0251).
Therefore Girolamo’738 discloses: Assistance information (as resource configuration) (par 0008 and 0089) configured by RSU or UE for SL- BWP instead of “real-time reports a device or network entity voluntarily sends for optimizing performance”.
And thus Girolamo’738 discloses:
wherein a sidelink bandwidth part, SL-BWP, is provided for a communication in the wireless communication network,
wherein, for a sidelink, SL, communication, the UE is to operate on one or more resource pools, RPs, having a number of time resources and a number of frequency resource.
Girolamo’738 also discloses: UE configured with sensing list including SL BWP ID with resource pool ID(s), and resource list(s) in slots and PRBs or subchannels in frequency (par 0237-0239) and bit map with slots indicating the resources scheduled in time corresponding to the associated subchannels (assistance information indicating resource pool ID(s) in SL BWP ID (with one BWP comprises multiple resource pool), par 0237-0239, 0251) can be taken as “number of the certain frequency resources being less than a total number of frequency resources of the SL- BWP” because sensing can be performed on one or more of multiple resource pools in SL BWP, and thus Girolamo’738 discloses:
wherein the UE is to carry out sensing only on certain frequency resources of the SL-BWP,
wherein the UE is to carry out sensing only in one or more sensing frequency regions, SFRs, the one or more SFRs comprising only the certain frequency resources of the SL-BWP, a number of the certain frequency resources being less than a total number of frequency resources of the SL- BWP.
Therefore, the cited references teach the claimed limitations in question with adequate reasons and suggestions of combining the teachings. The same conclusion applies to claims 44 and 47.
As complementary information, Xiong et al (US20190306923A1) (in conclusion part) discloses all the claim limitation in amended claim 1.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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 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 the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 1-3, 25, 32, 44 and 47 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a2) as being anticipated by Girolamo et al (US20230171738A1, PCT Priority Date: Apr 10, 2020).
Regarding claim 1 (Currently Amended), Girolamo’738 discloses a user device, UE, for a wireless communication network (see, Fig. 12a-12B, WTRUs in radio communications system , par 0268-0269, 0284),
wherein a sidelink bandwidth part, SL-BWP (SL BWP ID in sensing list of assistance information, par 0237-0238), is provided for a communication in the wireless communication network (see, UE receives SL BWP ID in sensing list of assistance information for sensing and resources for communication, par 0237-0238),
wherein, for a sidelink, SL, communication, the UE is to operate on one or more resource pools, RPs (resource pool ID(s) in sensing list of assistance information, par 0237-0238), having a number of time resources and a number of frequency resources (UE performs sensing and communication on resource pool ID(s) and each resource pool comprises time resources (slots) and frequency resources (subchannels), par 0237-0238, 0251),
wherein the UE is to carry out sensing only on certain frequency resources (resource pool ID(s) can be equated to certain frequency resources, par 0238) of the SL-BWP (see, sensing list including resource pool ID(s) and BWP ID, and thus only performs sensing on resource pool ID(s) within BWP ID according to sensing list, par 0238. Noted, each BWP comprises multiple resource pool, par 0253. Noted further, bit map with slots indicating the resources scheduled in time corresponding to the associated subchannels in dynamically Scheduled Resources of a SL BWP ID or a resource pool ID can be further taken as sensing only on certain frequency resources, par 0251),
wherein the UE is to carry out sensing only in one or more sensing frequency regions, SFRs (subchannel and subchannels can be equated to SFR and SFRs respectively, par 0155), the one or more SFRs comprising only the certain frequency resources (resource pool ID(s) within BWP can be equated to certain frequency resources of the BWP, par 0238, 0253) of the SL-BWP (see, UE receives sensing list including subchannels in resource list for resource pool ID(s) in BWP, par 0238-0239, 0253), a number of the certain frequency resources being less than a total number of frequency resources of the SL- BWP (see, assistance information indicating resource pool ID(s) in SL BWP ID (with one BWP comprises multiple resource pool), par 0237-0239, 0251), and
wherein the UE is to receive from the wireless communication network a resource pool configuration defining for the SL-BWP the one or more SFRs (see, UE receives from RSU the Scheduled Resources including sidelink bandwidth part ID, resource pool ID(s) and resources in frequency (subchannels), par 0242. Noted, subchannel and subchannels can be equated to SFR and SFRs respectively, par 0155. Noted further, Assistance information as resource configuration configured by RSU or UE for SL-BWP, par 0008 and 0089, 0237).
Regarding claim 2 (Previously Presented), Girolamo’738 discloses the user device, UE, of claim 1 (see, Fig. 12a-12B, WTRUs in radio communications system , par 0268-0269, 0284), wherein outside the one or more SFRs (subchannel and subchannels can be equated to SFR and SFRs respectively, par 0155), the UE is not to carry out one or more of the following:
sensing (see, sensing list including resource list indicating reserved and/or available subchannels in frequency, and thus not perform sensing outside of indicated subchannels, par 0238-0239), and
data transmission and/or reception (note, the examiner picks an option to reject).
Regarding claim 3 (Previously Presented), Girolamo’738 discloses the user device, UE, of claim 1 (see, Fig. 12a-12B, WTRUs in radio communications system , par 0268-0269, 0284), wherein a further set of resources or at least one further BWP is provided in the wireless communication network for a communication (see, UE receives candidate resource list updates of a SL BWP ID or dynamically Scheduled Resources of a SL BWP ID for transmission, par 0250-0251, 0258), and wherein the UE is to operate on some or all of the further set of resources or on the at least one further BWP (see, UE performs communication/sensing according to dynamically Scheduled Resources of a SL BWP ID from RSU, par 0045, 0237, 0244, 0250-0251. Noted, WTRU using candidate resource list to reduce sensing, par 0223).
Regarding claim 25 (Previously Presented), Girolamo’738 discloses the user device, UE, of claim 1 (see, Fig. 12a-12B, WTRUs in radio communications system , par 0268-0269, 0284), wherein outside the one or more SFRs (subchannel and subchannels can be equated to SFR and SFRs respectively, par 0155), the UE is not to carry out one or more of the following:
sensing (see, sensing list including resource list indicating reserved and/or available subchannels in frequency, and thus not perform sensing outside of indicated subchannels, par 0238-0239),
data transmission and/or reception,
switching between reception and transmission, and
switching between transmission and reception (note, the examiner picks an option to reject).
Regarding claim 32 (Previously Presented), Girolamo’738 discloses the user device, UE, of claim 1 (see, Fig. 12a-12B, WTRUs in radio communications system , par 0268-0269, 0284), wherein the one or more SFRs (subchannel and subchannels can be equated to SFR and SFRs respectively, par 0155) are defined using one or more of the following parameters:
a starting RB or subchannel index,
a contiguous set of RBs or subchannels (see, set of contiguous subchannels in assistance information as candidate resource set, par 0213, 0217),
a pattern across frequency, and
a pattern across frequency and time.
Regarding claim 44 (Currently Amended), Claim 44 recites a wireless communication network performing the steps recited in claim 1 and thereby, is rejected for the reasons discussed above with respect to claim 1.
Regarding claim 47 (Currently Amended), Claim 47 recites a method of operating a user device performing the steps recited in claim 1 and thereby, is rejected for the reasons discussed above with respect to claim 1.
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 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 col. 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.
The factual inquiries set forth in Graham v. John Deere Co., 383 U.S. 1, 148 USPQ 459 (1966), that are applied for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
Claim(s) 4, 26 and 33-37 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Girolamo’738 in view of Hoang et al (US20190306835A1).
Regarding claim 4 (Previously Presented), Girolamo’738 discloses the user device, UE, of claim 1 (see, Fig. 12a-12B, WTRUs in radio communications system , par 0268-0269, 0284),
Girolamo’738 discloses all the claim limitations but fails to explicitly teach: wherein the certain frequency resources are contiguous or are separated by respective non-sensing-intervals.
However Hoang’835 from the same field of endeavor (see, Fig. 1A-1B, WTRUs in communications system comprises WTRUs, RAN, CN, PSTN, Internet , and other networks, par 0027, 0040) discloses: wherein the certain frequency resources (see, Fig. 2, sensing pool assigned to WTRU including two subsets of frequency resources, par 0089) are contiguous or are separated by respective non-sensing-intervals (see, Fig. 2, sensing pool including two contiguous subsets of frequency resources (from frequency point of view) and separated by intervals from timing point of view (bitmap indicating monitoring or not) as shown by Fig. 2, par 0089).
In view of the above, it would have been obvious before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains to implement the UE as taught by Hoang’835 into that of Girolamo’738. The motivation would have been to share resource pool between network-scheduled WTRU and autonomous-scheduled WTRU transmissions (par 0003).
Regarding claim 26 (Currently Amended), Girolamo’738 discloses the user device, UE, of claim 1 (see, Fig. 12a-12B, WTRUs in radio communications system , par 0268-0269, 0284).
Girolamo’738 discloses all the claim limitations but fails to explicitly teach:
wherein one or more subsets of time resources are separated by respective non-sensing-intervals.
However Hoang’835 from the same field of endeavor (see, Fig. 1A-1B, WTRUs in communications system comprises WTRUs, RAN, CN, PSTN, Internet , and other networks, par 0027, 0040) discloses: wherein one or more subsets of time resources (Fig. 2, WTRU performs sensing on subset of subframes (each subframes comprises symbols), par 0089, 0097) are separated by respective non-sensing-intervals (see, Fig. 2, WTRU performs sensing on subset of subframes (each subframes comprises symbols) with intervals between sensing subframes according to bitmap shown in Fig. 2, par 0089-0090, 0097. Noted, mapping between geolocation and sensing resources configured, par 0090).
In view of the above, it would have been obvious before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains to implement the UE as taught by Hoang’835 into that of Girolamo’738. The motivation would have been to share resource pool between network-scheduled WTRU and autonomous-scheduled WTRU transmissions (par 0003).
Regarding claim 33 (Currently Amended), Girolamo’738 discloses the user device, UE, of claim 32 (see, Fig. 12a-12B, WTRUs in radio communications system , par 0268-0269, 0284).
Girolamo’738 discloses all the claim limitations but fails to explicitly teach:
wherein the one or more SFRs are defined as a pattern across frequency using one or more of the following parameters:
resources across a frequency of the set of resources in which the UE is to carry out sensing,
resources across another frequency of the set of resources in which the UE is not carrying out sensing,
a frequency gap or offset between two consecutive subsets of frequency resources where the UE is to carry out sensing,
a periodicity of a frequency pattern, and
an overall frequency band for which the frequency pattern repeats.
However Hoang’835 from the same field of endeavor (see, Fig. 1A-1B, WTRUs in communications system comprises WTRUs, RAN, CN, PSTN, Internet , and other networks, par 0027, 0040) discloses: wherein the one or more SFRs are defined as a pattern across frequency using one or more of the following parameters (see, configured to perform sensing on a set of resources with certain frequency pattern, par 0118):
resources across a frequency of the set of resources (see, time frequency locations, par 0132) in which the UE is to carry out sensing (see, configured to perform sensing on a set of resources identified by time pattern such as time sensing window (and thus across frequency of the set of time frequency locations), par 0118, 0122, 0132),
resources across another frequency of the set of resources in which the UE is not carrying out sensing,
a frequency gap or offset between two consecutive subsets of frequency resources where the UE is to carry out sensing,
a periodicity of a frequency pattern, and
an overall frequency band for which the frequency pattern repeats (note, the examiner picks an option to reject).
In view of the above, it would have been obvious before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains to implement the UE as taught by Hoang’835 into that of Girolamo’738. The motivation would have been to share resource pool between network-scheduled WTRU and autonomous-scheduled WTRU transmissions (par 0003).
Regarding claim 34 (Currently Amended), Girolamo’738 discloses the user device, UE, of claim 1 (see, Fig. 12a-12B, WTRUs in radio communications system , par 0268-0269, 0284).
Girolamo’738 discloses all the claim limitations but fails to explicitly teach:
wherein the UE is to carry out sensing across all frequency resources for a decision time period, the decision time period being
based on an absolute number of time slots within which the UE is to carry out sensing of all frequency resources, or
defined as a number of subsets of time resources of a set of resources within which the UE carries out sensing of all frequency resources.
However Hoang’835 from the same field of endeavor (see, Fig. 1A-1B, WTRUs in communications system comprises WTRUs, RAN, CN, PSTN, Internet , and other networks, par 0027, 0040) discloses:
wherein the UE is to carry out sensing across all frequency resources for a decision time period (see, configured to perform sensing on a set of resources identified by time pattern such as time sensing window (and thus across frequency of the set of time frequency locations), par 0118, 0122, 0132), the decision time period (see, time sensing window, par 0122) being
based on an absolute number of time slots (see, T1 and T2 to define sensing window, par 0121-0122) within which the UE is to carry out sensing of all frequency resources (see, time sensing window [n+T1, n+T2] where n indicates slot for timing reference for sensing, values of T1 and T2 may be configured by the network on sensing resource pool, par 0121-0122. Noted, time frequency locations as resources, par 0132), or
defined as a number of subsets of time resources of a set of resources within which the UE carries out sensing of all frequency resources (note, the examiner picks an option to reject).
In view of the above, it would have been obvious before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains to implement the UE as taught by Hoang’835 into that of Girolamo’738. The motivation would have been to share resource pool between network-scheduled WTRU and autonomous-scheduled WTRU transmissions (par 0003).
Regarding claim 35 (Original), Girolamo’738 discloses the user device, UE, of claim 34 (see, Fig. 12a-12B, WTRUs in radio communications system , par 0268-0269, 0284).
Girolamo’738 discloses all the claim limitations but fails to explicitly teach: wherein the decision time period is repeated periodically.
However Hoang’835 from the same field of endeavor (see, Fig. 1A-1B, WTRUs in communications system comprises WTRUs, RAN, CN, PSTN, Internet , and other networks, par 0027, 0040) discloses: wherein the decision time period is repeated periodically (see, periodic sensing with sensing window, par 0122).
In view of the above, it would have been obvious before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains to implement the UE as taught by Hoang’835 into that of Girolamo’738. The motivation would have been to share resource pool between network-scheduled WTRU and autonomous-scheduled WTRU transmissions (par 0003).
Regarding claim 36 (Currently Amended), Girolamo’738 discloses the user device, UE, of claim 1 (see, Fig. 12a-12B, WTRUs in radio communications system , par 0268-0269, 0284).
Girolamo’738 discloses all the claim limitations but fails to explicitly teach:
wherein the one or more SFRs depend on a subchannel detection rate, SCDR, the SCDR being defined as a number of frequency resources or subchannels where the UE is to carry out sensing to a total number of frequency resources or subchannels in one or more subsets of frequency resources.
However Hoang’835 from the same field of endeavor (see, Fig. 1A-1B, WTRUs in communications system comprises WTRUs, RAN, CN, PSTN, Internet , and other networks, par 0027, 0040) discloses: wherein the one or more SFRs (see, resources with frequency resource granularity of resource block/BWP, par 0097) depend on a subchannel detection rate (see, channel busy ratio (CBR) over a subset of subchannels, par 0092), SCDR (see, WTRU perform sensing on sensing resource pool based on CBR, par 0090, 0092), the SCDR (see, channel busy ratio (CBR) over a subset of subchannels, par 0092) being defined as a number of frequency resources or subchannels where the UE is to carry out sensing to a total number of frequency resources or subchannels (see, subchannels, par 0092) in one or more subsets of frequency resources (see, WTRU perform sensing on sensing resource pool when CBR over a subset of subchannels becomes larger than a threshold in partial sensing on resource pool, par 0090-0092. Noted, partial sensing on subset of the frequency resources configured to WTRU, par 0089).
In view of the above, it would have been obvious before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains to implement the UE as taught by Hoang’835 into that of Girolamo’738. The motivation would have been to share resource pool between network-scheduled WTRU and autonomous-scheduled WTRU transmissions (par 0003).
Regarding claim 37 (Currently Amended), Girolamo’738 discloses the user device, UE, of claim 1 (see, Fig. 12a-12B, WTRUs in radio communications system , par 0268-0269, 0284).
Girolamo’738 discloses all the claim limitations but fails to explicitly teach:
wherein the UE is to alter the SCDR depending on one or more criteria, which may comprise one or more of the following:
a priority of a transmission for which the UE is carrying out sensing,
a congestion status of a set of resources,
a power status of the UE,
a service type, e.g. PPDR services or pedestrian services, for which the UE is configured or preconfigured to use or cater to,
a change in QoS, priority, or traffic type for a transmission to be made by the UE,
in case of a change in motion state of the UE,
in case the UE changes a geographic area,
the UE moving from in coverage to out-of-coverage a base station or from out-of-coverage to in coverage of a base station, e.g., when changing from one resource pool configuration to another, and
responsive to receiving or sending a trigger via a sidelink.
However Hoang’835 from the same field of endeavor (see, Fig. 1A-1B, WTRUs in communications system comprises WTRUs, RAN, CN, PSTN, Internet , and other networks, par 0027, 0040) discloses:
wherein the UE is to alter the SCDR (see, CBR and/or CR, par 0094. Noted, CBR over subset of subchannels larger than a threshold, par 0092) depending on one or more criteria (see, WTRU determines intended sensing resources based on resources from a past sensing result include resources with CBR and/or channel occupation ratio (CR) statistics meeting pre-configured threshold and threshold can be changed, par 0094, 0106. Noted, CBR over subset of subchannels larger than a threshold, par 0092), which may comprise one or more of the following:
a priority of a transmission for which the UE is carrying out sensing (see, WTRU uses priority of the packet (prio_Tx) to determine the threshold for resource selection, par 0106),
a congestion status of a set of resources,
a power status of the UE,
a service type, e.g. PPDR services or pedestrian services, for which the UE is configured or preconfigured to use or cater to,
a change in QoS, priority, or traffic type for a transmission to be made by the UE,
in case of a change in motion state of the UE,
in case the UE changes a geographic area,
the UE moving from in coverage to out-of-coverage a base station or from out-of-coverage to in coverage of a base station, e.g., when changing from one resource pool configuration to another, and
responsive to receiving or sending a trigger via a sidelink (note, the examiner picks an option to reject).
In view of the above, it would have been obvious before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains to implement the UE as taught by Hoang’835 into that of Girolamo’738. The motivation would have been to share resource pool between network-scheduled WTRU and autonomous-scheduled WTRU transmissions (par 0003).
Claim(s) 38 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Girolamo’738 in view of Hoang’835 as applied to claim 36 above, and further in view of Chae (US 20210176720 A1, PCT Priority Date: Nov 16 , 2018) and Ali et al (US 20220141702 A1, PCT Priority Date: Mar 26, 2020).
Regarding claim 38 (Currently Amended), Girolamo’738 modified by Hoang’835 discloses the user device, UE, of claim 36 (see, Fig. 12a-12B, WTRUs in radio communications system , par 0268-0269, 0284).
The combination of Girolamo’738 and Hoang’835 discloses all the claim limitations but fails to explicitly teach:
the UE is configured or pre-configured with a lookup table, the lookup table mapping the SCDR to a congestion status of a set of resources,
using the congestion status and the lookup table, the UE is to determine a priority of transmissions that the UE is capable to transmit.
However Chae’720 from the same field of endeavor (see, Fig. 8, resource pool used by the UEs performing D2D communication under eNB’s coverage, par 0100) discloses:
the UE is configured or pre-configured with a lookup table (see, cbr-PreconfigList and cbr-pssch-TxConfigList, table 9, par 0297), the lookup table mapping the SCDR (see, transmission parameter including numChannels in corresponding resource pool, size of subchannel, positions of PSSCH candidate resources, partial sensing and CBR ranges, table 9, par 0294) to a congestion status of a set of resources (see, cbr-PreconifgList indicating mapping between preconfigured CBR list and list of PSSCH transmission configurations to configure congestion control, cbr-pssch-TxConfigList indicating mapping between CBR ranges in cbr-PreconfigList and PSSCH transmission parameters, table 9, par 0297).
In view of the above, it would have been obvious before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains to implement the UE as taught by Chae’720 into that of Girolamo’738 modified by Hoang’835. The motivation would have been to perform sidelink communication with out-coverage UE by using sidelink parameters determined as valid according to the specific information by the in-coverage UE (par 0008).
The combination of Girolamo’738, Hoang’835 and Chae’720 discloses all the claim limitations but fails to explicitly teach:
using the congestion status and the lookup table, the UE is to determine a priority of transmissions that the UE is capable to transmit.
However Ali’702 from the same field of endeavor (see, Fig. 4, processing vehicle-to-everything sidelink communications for an admission/congestion control scheme, par 0008, 0081) discloses:
using the congestion status (see, channel load status (CBR), par 0091) and the lookup table (see, CBR-PQI-Tx Parameter table, par 0091), the UE is to determine a priority of transmissions that the UE is capable to transmit (see, UE determines whether packet allowed to transmit according to channel load status (CBR) and packet priority comparing with priority threshold checking from CBR-PQI-Tx Parameter table, par 0091. Noted, CBR relative to priority threshold, par 0091).
In view of the above, it would have been obvious before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains to implement the UE as taught by Ali’702 into that of Girolamo’738 modified by Hoang’835 and Chae’720. The motivation would have been to provide congestion control among different UEs operating over sidelink performing V2X transmission (par 0004).
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Xiong et al (US20190306923A1) discloses:
the term “Sidelink System Bandwidth” includes the total amount of the sidelink spectrum allocated for communication… the term “Sidelink Bandwidth Part” (or BWP) includes a logical chunk of contiguous in frequency spectrum resources, where sidelink system bandwidth includes one or multiple bandwidth parts… the term “Sidelink Resource Pool Bandwidth” (or RPBW) includes bandwidth allocated to the sidelink resource pool (can be aligned with a sidelink BWP or designate a subset of sidelink BWP resources) (par 0315).
The overall sidelink sensing procedure can be divided into Type-A and Type-B sensing procedures, each of which can be configured independently for sidelink operation (par 0387);
Sidelink Resource Grid (Pool Structure).
sidelink resources within sidelink resource pool(s) or sidelink bandwidth partition(s) are divided into Type-A sidelink reference resources that provide basic resource units for sidelink V2X communication;
Type-A sidelink reference resources have coarse granularity in time and frequency and can be considered as a basic/primary resource unit for sidelink V2X communication/transmission. An example includes a sidelink resource unit with a fixed amount of time (e.g., NT-LS symbols) and frequency resources (e.g., NF-LS PRBs/sub-channels). For instance, slot/sub-frame in time domain/sub-channel in the frequency domain are good candidates to dimension Type-A Sidelink Reference Resource;
a Small Scale Reference Resource (Type-B) includes a sidelink resource unit with the finer granularity at least in terms of time/frequency comparing to large scale reference resource. Includes subset of symbols (NT-SS)/PRBs (NF-SS) within large scale reference resources (par 0391-0394).
This applies to claim 1, 44 and 47. Especially par 0391-0394 of Xiong’923 discloses: wherein the UE is to carry out sensing only in one or more sensing frequency regions, SFRs, the one or more SFRs comprising only the certain frequency resources of the SL-BWP, a number of the certain frequency resources being less than a total number of frequency resources of the SL- BWP. Here subset of PRBs can be equated to sensing only in one or more sensing frequency regions and a number of the certain frequency resources being less than a total number of frequency resources of the SL- BWP.
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/XUAN LU/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2473
