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 1-20 are currently pending.
Specification
The title of the invention is not descriptive. A new title is required that is clearly indicative of the invention to which the claims are directed.
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 (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 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)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claim(s) 1-5, 7-18, and 20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a) (1) as being anticipated by Khoshnevis et al. (US 20130258874 A1).
Regarding claim 1, Khoshnevis et al. disclose a communication method, wherein the method is performed at a terminal device, the terminal device works on a plurality of downlink carriers, the plurality of downlink carriers comprises a first downlink carrier and a second downlink carrier (paragraph [0066]; CSI-RS 1-X refers to the Xth configured CSI-RS for component carrier (CC) 1 101a. Thus, CSI-RS 2-2 109b refers to the second configured CSI-RS for component carrier 2 101b), and the method comprises: obtaining first channel information (paragraph [0069]; Aggregate channel state information (CSI) measurement 1 117a may also be obtained by measuring the channel state information of an aggregated channel), wherein the first channel information comprises second channel information (paragraph [0062]; the aggregated/effective/combined channel comprises a subset of channels), and the first downlink carrier and the second downlink carrier share the second channel information; and sending the first channel information to an access network device (paragraphs [0107] [0134-0135]; aggregated CSI report (associated with plurality of CSI measurements (first, second etc. CSI-RSs)) is generated and transmitted) (paragraph [0066]; CSI-RS 1-X refers to the Xth configured CSI-RS for component carrier (CC) 1 101a. Thus, CSI-RS 2-2 109b refers to the second configured CSI-RS for component carrier) (thus both CCs shared the aggregated CSI report).
Regarding claim 2, Khoshnevis et al. further suggest wherein the first channel information further comprises third channel information and fourth channel information (paragraph [0062]; the aggregated/effective/combined channel comprises a subset of channels); and the obtaining the first channel information comprises: performing measurement based on a reference signal of the first downlink carrier, to obtain the second channel information and the third channel information; and performing measurement based on a reference signal of the second downlink carrier, to obtain the fourth channel information (paragraph [0069]; Aggregate channel state information (CSI) measurement 1 117a may also be obtained by measuring the channel state information of an aggregated channel) (paragraph [0062]; Measuring the channel state information (CSI) of the effective/aggregated channel obtained by combining all or a subset of the channels estimated by the configured CSI-RSs).
Regarding claim 3, Khoshnevis et al. further suggest wherein the first channel information further comprises third channel information and fourth channel information; and the obtaining the first channel information comprises: performing joint measurement based on a reference signal of the first downlink carrier and a reference signal of the second downlink carrier, to obtain the second channel information (paragraph [0062]; the aggregated/effective/combined channel comprises a subset of channels estimated by the configured CSI-RSs, where each CSI-RS, different CSI-RSs, and possibly an aggregated measurement is performed on combination of the estimated channels); performing measurement based on the reference signal of the first downlink carrier, to obtain the third channel information; and performing measurement based on the reference signal of the second downlink carrier, to obtain the fourth channel information (paragraphs [0066] [0068]; multiple CSI-RS 1-1 107a and CSI-RS 1-2 109a may be received. CSI-RS 1-X refers to the Xth configured CSI-RS for component carrier (CC) 1 101a and CSI-RS 2-2 109b refers to the second configured CSI-RS for component carrier 2 101b. CSI-RS 1-1 107a and CSI-RS 1-2 109a may be measured to obtain CSI measurement 1-1 115a and CSI measurement 1-2 119a. Aggregate channel state information (CSI) measurement 1 117a may also be obtained by measuring the channel state information of an aggregated channel (includes the subset of channels estimated by the configured CSI-RSs). The aggregated channel may be derived by a superposition of all, or a subset, of the configured CSI-RSs. The aggregated channel state information may be measured by the multiple CSI-RSs) (paragraphs [0107] [0134-0135]; the aggregated CSI report (associated with plurality of CSI measurements (first, second etc. CSI-RSs)) is generated and transmitted).
Regarding claim 4, Khoshnevis et al. further suggest wherein the sending the first channel information to the access network device comprises: sending the second channel information and the third channel information of the first downlink carrier to the access network device and sending the fourth channel information of the second downlink carrier to the access network device (paragraphs [0066] [0068]; multiple CSI-RS 1-1 107a and CSI-RS 1-2 109a may be received. CSI-RS 1-X refers to the Xth configured CSI-RS for component carrier (CC) 1 101a and CSI-RS 2-2 109b refers to the second configured CSI-RS for component carrier 2 101b. CSI-RS 1-1 107a and CSI-RS 1-2 109a may be measured to obtain CSI measurement 1-1 115a and CSI measurement 1-2 119a. Aggregate channel state information (CSI) measurement 1 117a may also be obtained by measuring the channel state information of an aggregated channel (includes the subset of channels estimated by the configured CSI-RSs). The aggregated channel may be derived by a superposition of all, or a subset, of the configured CSI-RSs. The aggregated channel state information may be measured by the multiple CSI-RSs).
Regarding claim 5, Khoshnevis et al. further suggest wherein the method further comprises: determining that the first downlink carrier and the second downlink carrier support sharing of a part or all of channel information (paragraphs [0107] [0134-0135]; aggregated CSI report (associated with plurality of CSI measurements (first, second etc. CSI-RSs) is generated and transmitted) (paragraph [0066]; CSI-RS 1-X refers to the Xth configured CSI-RS for component carrier (CC) 1 101a. Thus, CSI-RS 2-2 109b refers to the second configured CSI-RS for component carrier) (thus both CCs shared the aggregated CSI report).
Regarding claim 7, Khoshnevis et al. further suggest wherein the determining that the first downlink carrier and the second downlink carrier support sharing of the part or all of channel information comprises :receiving first indication information from the access network device, wherein the first indication information indicates that the first downlink carrier and the second downlink carrier support sharing of the part or all of the channel information (paragraphs [0107] [0134-0135]; aggregated CSI report (associated with plurality of CSI measurements (first, second etc. CSI-RSs) is generated and transmitted) (paragraph [0066]; CSI-RS 1-X refers to the Xth configured CSI-RS for component carrier (CC) 1 101a. Thus, CSI-RS 2-2 109b refers to the second configured CSI-RS for component carrier) (thus both CCs shared the aggregated CSI report) (paragraph [0054]; the CSI-RS configuration is performed by RRC signaling (indication) by the eNode B).
Regarding claim 8, Khoshnevis et al. further suggest wherein the determining that the first downlink carrier and the second downlink carrier support sharing of the part or all of channel information comprises: receiving, configuration information from the access network device, wherein the configuration information for configuring that there is an association relationship between a reference signal of the first downlink carrier and a reference signal of the second downlink carrier; and determining, based on the configuration information, that the first downlink carrier and the second downlink carrier support sharing of the part or all of the channel information (paragraph [0109]; channel state information (CSI) report each of the one or more CSI-RS configurations (e.g., the First-RS and the Second-RS) may be used. The First-RS may correspond to one channel state information (CSI) report 236 and Second-RS may correspond to a second channel state information (CSI) report 236. Each report may support transmission of aggregated measurements as well. For example, the channel state information (CSI) report 236 for the First-RS may include measurements for the First-RS as well as measurements for the Aggregated-RS).
Regarding claim 9, Khoshnevis et al. disclose a communication method, wherein the method is performed at an access network device, and the method comprises: obtaining first channel information (paragraph [0069]; Aggregate channel state information (CSI) measurement 1 117a may also be obtained by measuring the channel state information of an aggregated channel), wherein the first channel information comprises second channel information (paragraph [0062]; the aggregated/effective/combined channel comprises a subset of channels), and a first downlink carrier and a second downlink carrier share the second channel information; and sending downlink information to a terminal device on at least one of the first downlink carrier or and/or the second downlink carrier (paragraphs [0107] [0134-0135]; aggregated CSI report (associated with plurality of CSI measurements (first, second etc. CSI-RSs)) is generated and transmitted) (paragraph [0066]; CSI-RS 1-X refers to the Xth configured CSI-RS for component carrier (CC) 1 101a. Thus, CSI-RS 2-2 109b refers to the second configured CSI-RS for component carrier) (thus both CCs shared the aggregated CSI report).
Regarding claim 10, Khoshnevis et al. further suggest wherein the first channel information further comprises third channel information and fourth channel information (paragraph [0062]; the aggregated/effective/combined channel comprises a subset of channels); and the obtaining the first channel information comprises: receiving the second channel information and the third channel information of the first downlink carrier from the terminal device; and receiving the fourth channel information of the second downlink carrier from the terminal device (paragraph [0069]; Aggregate channel state information (CSI) measurement 1 117a may also be obtained by measuring the channel state information of an aggregated channel) (paragraph [0062]; Measuring the channel state information (CSI) of the effective/aggregated channel obtained by combining all or a subset of the channels estimated by the configured CSI-RSs).
Regarding claim 11, Khoshnevis et al. further suggest wherein the first channel information further comprises third channel information and fourth channel information; and the obtaining the first channel information comprises: obtaining the second channel information by: performing joint measurement based on a reference signal of an uplink carrier corresponding to the first downlink carrier and a reference signal of an uplink carrier corresponding to the second downlink carrier (paragraph [0062]; the aggregated/effective/combined channel comprises a subset of channels estimated by the configured CSI-RSs, where each CSI-RS, different CSI-RSs, and possibly an aggregated measurement is performed on combination of the estimated channels) or performing measurement based on a reference signal of an uplink carrier corresponding to the first downlink carrier; and receiving the third channel information of the first downlink carrier from the terminal device; and receiving the fourth channel information of the second downlink carrier from the terminal device (paragraphs [0066] [0068]; multiple CSI-RS 1-1 107a and CSI-RS 1-2 109a may be received. CSI-RS 1-X refers to the Xth configured CSI-RS for component carrier (CC) 1 101a and CSI-RS 2-2 109b refers to the second configured CSI-RS for component carrier 2 101b. CSI-RS 1-1 107a and CSI-RS 1-2 109a may be measured to obtain CSI measurement 1-1 115a and CSI measurement 1-2 119a. Aggregate channel state information (CSI) measurement 1 117a may also be obtained by measuring the channel state information of an aggregated channel (includes the subset of channels estimated by the configured CSI-RSs). The aggregated channel may be derived by a superposition of all, or a subset, of the configured CSI-RSs. The aggregated channel state information may be measured by the multiple CSI-RSs) (paragraphs [0107] [0134-0135]; the aggregated CSI report (associated with plurality of CSI measurements (first, second etc. CSI-RSs)) is generated and transmitted).
Regarding claim 12, Khoshnevis et al. further suggest wherein the method further comprises: sending first indication information to the terminal device, wherein the first indication information indicates that the first downlink carrier and the second downlink carrier support sharing of a part or all of channel information (paragraphs [0107] [0134-0135]; aggregated CSI report (associated with plurality of CSI measurements (first, second etc. CSI-RSs) is generated and transmitted) (paragraph [0066]; CSI-RS 1-X refers to the Xth configured CSI-RS for component carrier (CC) 1 101a. Thus, CSI-RS 2-2 109b refers to the second configured CSI-RS for component carrier) (thus both CCs shared the aggregated CSI report) (paragraph [0054]; the CSI-RS configuration is performed by RRC signaling (indication) by the eNode B).
Regarding claim 13, Khoshnevis et al. further suggest wherein the method further comprises: sending to the terminal device, configuration information for configuring that there is an association relationship between a reference signal of the first downlink carrier and a reference signal of the second downlink carrier (paragraph [0109]; channel state information (CSI) report each of the one or more CSI-RS configurations (e.g., the First-RS and the Second-RS) may be used. The First-RS may correspond to one channel state information (CSI) report 236 and Second-RS may correspond to a second channel state information (CSI) report 236. Each report may support transmission of aggregated measurements as well. For example, the channel state information (CSI) report 236 for the First-RS may include measurements for the First-RS as well as measurements for the Aggregated-RS).
Regarding claim 14, Khoshnevis et al. further suggest an apparatus in a terminal device, wherein the terminal device is configured to work on a plurality of downlink carriers, the plurality of downlink carriers comprises a first downlink carrier and a second downlink carrier (paragraph [0066]; CSI-RS 1-X refers to the Xth configured CSI-RS for component carrier (CC) 1 101a. Thus, CSI-RS 2-2 109b refers to the second configured CSI-RS for component carrier 2 101b), and the apparatus comprises: at least one processor; and a memory coupled to the at least one processor and configured to store instructions executable by the at least one processor to cause the apparatus to: obtain first channel information (paragraph [0069]; Aggregate channel state information (CSI) measurement 1 117a may also be obtained by measuring the channel state information of an aggregated channel), wherein the first channel information comprises second channel information (paragraph [0062]; the aggregated/effective/combined channel comprises a subset of channels), and the first downlink carrier and the second downlink carrier share the second channel information; and send the first channel information to an access network device (paragraphs [0107] [0134-0135]; aggregated CSI report (associated with plurality of CSI measurements (first, second etc. CSI-RSs)) is generated and transmitted) (paragraph [0066]; CSI-RS 1-X refers to the Xth configured CSI-RS for component carrier (CC) 1 101a. Thus, CSI-RS 2-2 109b refers to the second configured CSI-RS for component carrier) (thus both CCs shared the aggregated CSI report).
Regarding claim 15, Khoshnevis et al. further suggest wherein the first channel information further comprises third channel information and fourth channel information (paragraph [0062]; the aggregated/effective/combined channel comprises a subset of channels); and the instructions are executable by the at least one processor to further cause the apparatus to: perform measurement based on a reference signal of the first downlink carrier, to obtain the second channel information and the third channel information; and perform measurement based on a reference signal of the second downlink carrier, to obtain the fourth channel information (paragraph [0069]; Aggregate channel state information (CSI) measurement 1 117a may also be obtained by measuring the channel state information of an aggregated channel) (paragraph [0062]; Measuring the channel state information (CSI) of the effective/aggregated channel obtained by combining all or a subset of the channels estimated by the configured CSI-RSs).
Regarding claim 16, Khoshnevis et al. further suggest wherein the first channel information further comprises third channel information and fourth channel information; and the instructions are executable by the at least one processor to further cause the apparatus to: perform joint measurement based on a reference signal of the first downlink carrier and a reference signal of the second downlink carrier, to obtain the second channel information (paragraph [0062]; the aggregated/effective/combined channel comprises a subset of channels estimated by the configured CSI-RSs, where each CSI-RS, different CSI-RSs, and possibly an aggregated measurement is performed on combination of the estimated channels); perform measurement based on the reference signal of the first downlink carrier, to obtain the third channel information; and perform measurement based on the reference signal of the second downlink carrier, to obtain the fourth channel information (paragraphs [0066] [0068]; multiple CSI-RS 1-1 107a and CSI-RS 1-2 109a may be received. CSI-RS 1-X refers to the Xth configured CSI-RS for component carrier (CC) 1 101a and CSI-RS 2-2 109b refers to the second configured CSI-RS for component carrier 2 101b. CSI-RS 1-1 107a and CSI-RS 1-2 109a may be measured to obtain CSI measurement 1-1 115a and CSI measurement 1-2 119a. Aggregate channel state information (CSI) measurement 1 117a may also be obtained by measuring the channel state information of an aggregated channel (includes the subset of channels estimated by the configured CSI-RSs). The aggregated channel may be derived by a superposition of all, or a subset, of the configured CSI-RSs. The aggregated channel state information may be measured by the multiple CSI-RSs) (paragraphs [0107] [0134-0135]; the aggregated CSI report (associated with plurality of CSI measurements (first, second etc. CSI-RSs)) is generated and transmitted).
Regarding claim 17, Khoshnevis et al. further suggest send the second channel information and the third channel information of the first downlink carrier to the access network device and send the fourth channel information of the second downlink carrier to the access network device (paragraphs [0066] [0068]; multiple CSI-RS 1-1 107a and CSI-RS 1-2 109a may be received. CSI-RS 1-X refers to the Xth configured CSI-RS for component carrier (CC) 1 101a and CSI-RS 2-2 109b refers to the second configured CSI-RS for component carrier 2 101b. CSI-RS 1-1 107a and CSI-RS 1-2 109a may be measured to obtain CSI measurement 1-1 115a and CSI measurement 1-2 119a. Aggregate channel state information (CSI) measurement 1 117a may also be obtained by measuring the channel state information of an aggregated channel (includes the subset of channels estimated by the configured CSI-RSs). The aggregated channel may be derived by a superposition of all, or a subset, of the configured CSI-RSs. The aggregated channel state information may be measured by the multiple CSI-RSs).
Regarding claim 18, Khoshnevis et al. further suggest determining that the first downlink carrier and the second downlink carrier support sharing of a part or all of channel information (paragraphs [0107] [0134-0135]; aggregated CSI report (associated with plurality of CSI measurements (first, second etc. CSI-RSs) is generated and transmitted) (paragraph [0066]; CSI-RS 1-X refers to the Xth configured CSI-RS for component carrier (CC) 1 101a. Thus, CSI-RS 2-2 109b refers to the second configured CSI-RS for component carrier) (thus both CCs shared the aggregated CSI report).
Regarding claim 20, Khoshnevis et al. further suggest receiving first indication information from the access network device, wherein the first indication information indicates that the first downlink carrier and the second downlink carrier support sharing of the part or all of the channel information (paragraphs [0107] [0134-0135]; aggregated CSI report (associated with plurality of CSI measurements (first, second etc. CSI-RSs) is generated and transmitted) (paragraph [0066]; CSI-RS 1-X refers to the Xth configured CSI-RS for component carrier (CC) 1 101a. Thus, CSI-RS 2-2 109b refers to the second configured CSI-RS for component carrier) (thus both CCs shared the aggregated CSI report) (paragraph [0054]; the CSI-RS configuration is performed by RRC signaling (indication) by the eNode B).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
Claim(s) 6 and 19 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Khoshnevis et al. (US 20130258874 A1) in view of Zhou et al. (US 20200351039 A1).
Regarding claim 6, Khoshnevis et al. disclose the determining that the first downlink carrier and the second downlink carrier support sharing of the part or all of channel information as recited in claim 5 above without explicitly suggest determining, in response to the first downlink carrier and the second downlink carrier being in a same frequency band combination, that the first downlink carrier and the second downlink carrier support sharing of the part or all of the channel information; or determining, in response to a difference between a center frequency of the first downlink carrier and a center frequency of the second downlink carrier being less than a first threshold, that the first downlink carrier and the second downlink carrier support sharing of the part or all of the channel information. However, Zhou et al. from the same or similar field of endeavor suggest determining, in response to the first downlink carrier and the second downlink carrier being in a same frequency band combination, that the first downlink carrier and the second downlink carrier support sharing of the part or all of the channel information; or determining, in response to a difference between a center frequency of the first downlink carrier and a center frequency of the second downlink carrier being less than a first threshold, that the first downlink carrier and the second downlink carrier support sharing of the part or all of the channel information (paragraph [0038]; each of the first set of BWP CC pairs may be associated with a same frequency band. Transmission control indicator state (control information) is selected for the shared channel of the first set of BWP CC pairs). Therefore it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to incorporate in Khoshnevis et al.’s method/system in determining, in response to the first downlink carrier and the second downlink carrier being in a same frequency band combination, that the first downlink carrier and the second downlink carrier support sharing of the part or all of the channel information; or determining, in response to a difference between a center frequency of the first downlink carrier and a center frequency of the second downlink carrier being less than a first threshold, that the first downlink carrier and the second downlink carrier support sharing of the part or all of the channel information as suggested by Zhou et al. The motivation would have been to reduce overhead in the wireless communications system when the wireless communications uses multiple component carriers for carrier aggregation (paragraph [0004]).
Regarding claim 19, Khoshnevis et al. disclose all subject matter of the claimed invention as recited in claim 18 above without explicitly suggest determining, in response to the first downlink carrier and the second downlink carrier being in a same frequency band combination, that the first downlink carrier and the second downlink carrier support sharing of the part or all of the channel information; or determining, in response to a difference between a center frequency of the first downlink carrier and a center frequency of the second downlink carrier being less than a first threshold, that the first downlink carrier and the second downlink carrier support sharing of the part or all of the channel information. However, Zhou et al. from the same or similar field of endeavor suggest determining, in response to the first downlink carrier and the second downlink carrier being in a same frequency band combination, that the first downlink carrier and the second downlink carrier support sharing of the part or all of the channel information; or determining, in response to a difference between a center frequency of the first downlink carrier and a center frequency of the second downlink carrier being less than a first threshold, that the first downlink carrier and the second downlink carrier support sharing of the part or all of the channel information (paragraph [0038]; each of the first set of BWP CC pairs may be associated with a same frequency band. Transmission control indicator state (control information) is selected for the shared channel of the first set of BWP CC pairs). Therefore it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to incorporate in Khoshnevis et al.’s method/system in determining, in response to the first downlink carrier and the second downlink carrier being in a same frequency band combination, that the first downlink carrier and the second downlink carrier support sharing of the part or all of the channel information; or determining, in response to a difference between a center frequency of the first downlink carrier and a center frequency of the second downlink carrier being less than a first threshold, that the first downlink carrier and the second downlink carrier support sharing of the part or all of the channel information as suggested by Zhou et al. The motivation would have been to reduce overhead in the wireless communications system when the wireless communications uses multiple component carriers for carrier aggregation (paragraph [0004]).
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to HOANG-CHUONG Q VU whose telephone number is (571)270-3945. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday (9:30-5:30 PM EST.).
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HOANG-CHUONG Q. VU
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 2476
/HOANG-CHUONG Q VU/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2476