DETAILED ACTION
The office action is in response to the application filed received on May 12, 2026 as RCE.
The RCE application was received on May 12, 2026.
Claims 1-2, 8-13, 19-22, 28, 35, and 46 are pending are pending in this application.
Information Disclosure Statement
The Information Disclosure Statements (IDSs) filed on April 24, 2023, April 28, 2024, Sept. 23, 2024, Oct. 29, 2025, and May 11, 2026 and references listed has been considered by the examiner.
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s Amendments and Arguments filed 4/10/2026 have been considered for examination. Claims 1-2, 8-13, 19-22, 28, 35, and 46 are pending in the instant application.
With regard to the 102/103 rejections, Applicant’s arguments filed 4/10/2026 (see pages 9-19 of Remarks) in view of the amendments have been fully considered and partially persuasive. Due to the amended claims, upon further consideration, a new ground(s) of rejection is made in the below.
Regarding claims 1, 8, and 19, Applicant argued:
Regarding the amended claim 8, Yu fails to disclose: the new candidate beam index is determined by the UE autonomously before the UE transmits the BFRQ, not after transmitting the BFRQ, nor based on any signal from the base station; the UE does not involve to determine the TCI, due to the following reasoning; the TCI was already determined autonomously by the UE before transmitting the BFRQ, the QCL associated with the new candidate beam reported by UE is not associated with the BFD RS set index corresponding to the beam-failed link. Further, Yu does not disclose that a TCI state or WCL parameter is associated with a link index of the beam-failed link and are applied to the channel corresponding to the beam-failed link.
Regarding the claim 19, Yu discloses the UE determining a new candidate beam by measuring NBI RS, but does not disclose determining the TCI based on a BFD RS set index and determining the TCI state based on an association between a BFD RS set index and the TCI state. Further, Yu only discloses an SCell in which beam failure occurs, which is cell-level, and does not disclose a specific link within the beam-failed cell, nor applying the TCI to the channel corresponding to the beam-failed link.
Regarding the amended claim 1, Lo does not disclose the following: the UE transmits information to a network device through MAC CE in a beam failure scenario (Lo discloses) and the UE reports both a cell index and a BFD RS set index to the base station through MAC CE (the reporting contents and signaling carriers are different.)
In response to Applicant’s argument, Examiner respectfully disagrees.
Regarding the amended claim 8, recited as “receiving a second signal … the link in which a beam failure occurs,” Yu, in Paragraph [0030]-[0032], teaches the BFR request (BFRQ) message (the first signal) includes the RS index or the RS set index of the new candidate beam (it is same as a BFD RS of BFD RS set index or it is different from the BFD-RS or BFD-RS set index: taught by Matsumura in Paragraph [0038], although it is missed in the previous action) associated with the link that beam failure is occurred and the BFRQ message is transmitted by UE to Network device on PRACH. In response to BFRQ message, as described in [0032], the network, when responding to the BFRQ, transmits PDCCH Quasi Co-Located (QCL) with the RS associated with the new candidate beam (can be BFD-RS taught by Matsumura) in the BFRQ. This PRACH-based BFRQ transmission and network response is used in a special cell BFR procedure. Rather, as described in Fig. 1 and Paragraph [0034], for BFR in an SCell, the BFRQ is transmitted via BFR MAC CE on PUSCH. As described in Paragraph [0038], the UE considers that in response to the BFRQ on PUSCH, the BFR procedure is successfully completed upon receiving MAC CE that indicates a change in a PDCCH TCI state for SCell (the secondary cell) that BFD was occurred. Thus, based on the response message of BFRQ, UE determines the TCI or QCL. Thus, the amended claim 8 is clearly disclosed by combination of Yu and Matsumura.
According to similar reasoning in the above, the amended claim 19 is also clearly disclosed by combination of Yu and Matsumura.
Regarding the amended claim 1, Yu, in Paragraphs [0030] and [0034], teach the first signal (BFRQ) is transmitted to the network device through a BFR MAC CE on the PUSCH. The BFRQ message includes the new candidate beam RS or the new candidate beam RS set index (as described in Paragraphs [0038] and [0043] of Matsumura: the new candidate beam RS or the new candidate beam RS set is either same as the BFD RS or BFD RS set that BFD is occurred or different from BFD RS or BFD RS set. Thus, the new candidate beam RS or RS set can be considered as BFD RS or BFD RS set). Further, in Paragraph [0034] of Yu, it is taught that the BFRQ via BFR MSA CE on PUSCH includes a cell index of an SCell that is beam failure occurs. Thus, the amended claim 1 is clearly disclosed by Yu and Matsumura.
However, since based on the amended part of claims, the scope of claims has been changed, the new ground of rejections is provided in this instant office action in the below.
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on May 12, 2026 has been entered.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
Claims 1, 8-10, 12-13, 19-22, 28, 35, and 46 are rejected under U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Chia-Hao Yu et. al (USPub. No.: US 20220303171 A1, hereinafter “Yu”) in a view of Yuki Matsumura et. al (USPub. No.: US 20220329312 A1, hereinafter “Matsumura”)
Regarding claim 1, combination of Yu and Matsumura teache that A method for processing a message, comprising: transmitting a first signal to a network device through a media access control layer control element (MAC CE): the MAC CE is further for indicating a cell index (Yu, in Paragraphs [0029]-[0030] and [0038], teaches that UE transmits a beam failure recovery request (BFRQ) (the first signal) to a base station (a network node) via BFR (Beam Failure Recovery) MAC CE on PUSCH after UE detects a beam failure and the BFRQ includes a cell index of a Scell (Secondary Cell) in which beam failure occurs.)
Yu, in Paragraphs [0029]-[0030], teaches the BFRQ (the first signal) includes the new candidate beam RS index or the new candidate beam RS set index but Yu does not explicitly show the new candidate beam can be same as the BFD RS index or the BFD RS sed index.
Matsumura teaches wherein the first signal comprises a beam failure detection reference signal (BFD RS) index corresponding to the link in which the beam failure occurs, (Matsumura, in Fig. 1 and in Paragraphs [0033], [0038], and [0040]-[0041], teaches that the UE select the new candidate beam corresponding RS by measuring RS for the link that the beam failure is occurred. The selected new candidate beam RS (NCIB-RS) or NCIB-RS set is same as BFD-RS or BFD-RS set (that is beam failure detection is occurred) or is different from BFD-RS or BFD-RS set. As described in Paragraphs [0033], [0042]-[0043] and [005]-[0056], BFRQ includes a BFD-RS index or a BFD RS set index with a cell information such as a cell index as shown in the above.
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to combine Yu, Lo, and Matsumura to include the technique of wherein the first signal comprises a beam failure detection reference signal (BFD RS) index corresponding to the link in which the beam failure occurs of Matsumura in the system of combination of Yu and Lo to provide a terminal and a radio communication method that perform BFR procedure appropriately, to avoid to reconnect a cell and deterioration of system throughput, when the RLF occurs. (Matsumura, see Paragraphs [0009] and [0022]).).
Regarding claim 8, Yu teaches a method for processing a message, comprising: receiving a second signal transmitted by a network device; wherein the second signal is a signal transmitted by the network device after a beam failure recovery request signal for a link is received; (Yu, in Fig. 1 and in Paragraph [0038], teaches that the UE may consider the BFR procedure successfully completed upon receiving a MAC CE (the response message of BFRQ: the second signal) that indicates a change in a PDCCH Transmission Configuration Indication (TCI) state for the SCell triggering the BFRQ (beam failure recovery request signal: the first signal) transmission, where as described in Paragraph [0030], the BFRQ is transmitted by UE to the network device (BS) after UE has detected a beam failure condition.) determining a transmission configuration indication (TCI) state or a guasi-colocation (QCL) parameter of a first physical channel based on the second signal; the TCI state or the QCL parameter of the first physical channel is a TCI state or a QCL parameter associated with the first index information; (Yu, in Paragraphs [0030]-[0032], [0034], and [0038], teaches in response to BFRQ message (namely, the BFRQ response message: the second signal), as described in [0032], the network transmits PDCCH (the first physical channel) Quasi Co-Located (QCL) with the RS associated with the new candidate beam (can be BFD-RS taught by Matsumura in the below) included in the BFRQ. This PRACH-based BFRQ transmission and network response is used in a special cell BFR procedure. Rather, as described in Fig. 1 and Paragraph [0034], for BFR in an SCell (secondary cell), the BFRQ is transmitted via BFR MAC CE on PUSCH. As described in Paragraph [0038], the UE considers that in response to the BFRQ on PUSCH, the BFR procedure is successfully completed upon receiving MAC CE that indicates a change in a PDCCH TCI state for SCell that BFD was occurred. Thus, based on the response message of BFRQ, UE determines the state of TCI or QCL.)
Yu, in Paragraphs [0029]-[0030], teaches the BFRQ (the first signal) includes the new candidate beam RS index or the new candidate beam RS set index but Yu does not explicitly show the new candidate beam can be same as the BFD RS index or the BFD RS sed index.
Matsumura teach that the beam failure recovery request signal is for indicating first index information of a link in which a beam failure occurs; the first index information is a beam failure detection reference signal (BFD RS) set index corresponding to the link in which a beam failure occurs, (Matsumura, in Fig. 1 and in Paragraphs [0033], [0038], and [0040]-[0041], teaches that the UE select the new candidate beam corresponding RS by measuring RS for the link that the beam failure is occurred. The selected new candidate beam RS (NCIB-RS) or NCIB-RS set is same as BFD-RS or BFD-RS set (that is beam failure detection is occurred) or is different from BFD-RS or BFD-RS set. As described in Paragraphs [0033], [0042]-[0043] and [005]-[0056], BFRQ (the first signal) includes a BFD-RS index or a BFD RS set index (the first index information) with a cell information such as a cell index as shown in the above.
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to combine Yu, Lo, and Matsumura to include the technique of wherein the first signal comprises a beam failure detection reference signal (BFD RS) index corresponding to the link in which the beam failure occurs of Matsumura in the system of combination of Yu and Lo to provide a terminal and a radio communication method that perform BFR procedure appropriately, to avoid to reconnect a cell and deterioration of system throughput, when the RLF occurs. (Matsumura, see Paragraphs [0009] and [0022]).).
Regarding claim 9, combination of Yu and Matsumura teaches the features defined in the claims 8, -refer to the indicated claim for reference(s).
Yu further teaches that wherein the determining the transmission configuration indication state of the first physical channel based on the second signal comprises: and determining the TCI state of the first physical channel (Yu, in Fig. 1 and in Paragraph [0038], teaches that the UE may consider the BFR procedure successfully completed upon receiving a MAC CE (the second signal) that indicates a change in a PDCCH (considered the first physical channel) Transmission Configuration Indication (TCI) state for the SCell triggering the BFRQ transmission based on beam failure Therefore, it is clear that the TCI state of the first physical channel triggering the BFRQ transmission is determined by the MAC CE (the second signal) from the network node, where the first physical channel is corresponding to the physical channel that beam failure is occurred (triggering BFR).) determining the first physical channel corresponding to the second signal based on an association between a resource carrying the second signal and first index information of the link in which the beam failure occurs; (Yu, in Fig. 1 and in Paragraph [0039], teaches that In one implementation, after determining that the SCell BFR procedure is successfully completed, the UE may receive a PDCCH on the SCell in which beam failure occurs with antenna port quasi-colocation parameters associated with the new candidate beam index (the first index information) in the BFR MAC CE after receiving the DCI format indicating a toggled NDI value and scheduling the PUSCH transmission with the HARQ process ID used for transmission of the BFR MAC CE. Therefore, it is clear that the first physical channel (PDCCH on the SCell) corresponding to the second signal is determined based on the resource carried by the second signal and the first index.).
Regarding claim 10, combination of Yu and Matsumura teaches the features defined in the claims 8, -refer to the indicated claim for reference(s).
Yu further teaches that wherein the second signal meets at least one of: a resource for the second signal comprises one or more of a search space or a control resource set (CORESET); wherein a resource corresponds to a link; the second signal is a signal transmitted by one of two or more dedicated search spaces or CORESETs; the second signal includes an information field for indicating the first index information; (Yu, in Fig. 1 and in Paragraph [0032], teaches that UE may receive a response of BFRQ from the network. In one implementation, a specific control resource set (CORESET) or search space is defined for response reception (e.g., CORESET-BFR or a SearchSpace-BFR indicated by a higher layer parameter recoverySearchSpaceid). The UE may monitor Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) transmission on the CORESET-BFR/SearchSpace-BFR to determine if the BFRQ is successfully received by the network. Downlink Control Information (DCI) format in the CORESET-BFR/SearchSpace-BFR may be considered as a successful network response. the UE may assume that the network, when responding to the BFRQ, is transmitting PDCCH quasi co-located (QCL) with the RS (Reference Signal) associated with the new candidate beam (the first index) in the BFRQ. Therefore, it is clear that the CORESET or the search space is configured for the response of BFRQ (the second signal) that carrying the new beam index information (the first index).) or the second signal is downlink control information (DCI) having a toggled new data indicator (NDI) field and a same hybrid automatic retransmission request (HARQ) process number as a DCI scheduling a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) with a beam failure recovery request (Yu, in Fig. 1 and in Paragraph [0039], teaches that after determining that the SCell BFR procedure is successfully completed, the UE may receive a PDCCH on the SCell in which beam failure occurs with antenna port quasi-colocation parameters associated with the new candidate beam index in the BFR MAC CE after receiving the DCI format indicating a toggled NDI value and scheduling the PUSCH transmission with the HARQ process ID used for transmission of the BFR MAC CE. Therefore, it is clear that DCI having toggled NDI field and a same HARQ ID as a DCI scheduling PUSCH with BFRQ.).
Regarding claim 12, combination of Yu and Matsumura teaches the features defined in the claims 9, -refer to the indicated claim for reference(s).
Yu further teaches that wherein the network device configures an association between the first index information and at least one of the following information: the first physical channel; the first physical channel resource; or a TCI state or a quasi-colocation (QCL) parameter; (Yu, in Paragraph [0038]-[0039] and in Fig. 1, teaches that after determining that the SCell BFR procedure is successfully completed, the UE may receive a PDCCH on the SCell in which beam failure occurs with antenna port quasi-colocation parameters associated with the new candidate beam index in the BFR MAC CE after receiving the DCI format indicating a toggled NDI value and scheduling the PUSCH transmission with the HARQ process ID used for transmission of the BFR MAC CE. The UE may consider the BFR procedure successfully completed upon receiving a MAC CE that indicates a change in a PDCCH Transmission Configuration Indication (TCI) state for the SCell triggering the BFRQ transmission. Therefore, it is clear that the network device configures an association between the first index information and one of the following information: the first physical channel (PDCCH); the first physical channel resource (scheduling, DCI, NDI); or a TCI state or a quasi-colocation (QCL) parameter.) the CORESET; (Yu, in Paragraph [0032] and in Fig. 1, teaches that UE may receive a response from the network. In one implementation, a specific control resource set (CORESET) or search space is defined for response reception of BFRQ (e.g., CORESET-BFR or a SearchSpace-BFR indicated by a higher layer parameter recoverySearchSpaceid). The UE may monitor Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) transmission on the CORESET-BFR/SearchSpace-BFR to determine if the BFRQ is successfully received by the network. Downlink Control Information (DCI) format in the CORESET-BFR/SearchSpace-BFR may be considered as a successful network response. Downlink Control Information (DCI) format in the CORESET-BFR/SearchSpace-BFR may be considered as a successful network response. Further, in Paragraph [0037], Yu teaches that the UE may consider the BFR procedure successfully completed upon receiving a DCI format that schedules a PUSCH transmission with the HARQ process ID, where the DCI format indicates a toggled New Data Indicator (NDI) value. Therefore, it is clear that the network device configures an association between the first index information (NDI) and the CORESET.)
Regarding claim 13, combination of Yu and Matsumura teaches the features defined in the claims 9, -refer to the indicated claim for reference(s).
Yu further teaches that wherein the transmission configuration indication (TCI) state of the first physical channel includes at least one of the following: a TCI state or a quasi-colocation (QCL) parameter associated with the beam failure recovery request signal or the second signal or the first index information; or a TCI state or a quasi-colocation (QCL) parameter of a reference signal carried by the beam failure recovery request signal (Yu, in Fig. 1 and in Paragraphs [0038]-[0039], teaches that The UE may consider the BFR procedure successfully completed upon receiving a MAC CE that indicates a change in a PDCCH Transmission Configuration Indication (TCI) state for the SCell triggering the BFRQ transmission. After determining that the SCell BFR procedure is successfully completed, the UE may receive a PDCCH on the SCell in which beam failure occurs with antenna port quasi-colocation parameters associated with the new candidate beam index in the BFR MAC CE after receiving the DCI format indicating a toggled NDI (New Data Indicator) value and scheduling the PUSCH transmission with the HARQ process ID used for transmission of the BFR MAC CE. Further, in Paragraph [0032], Yu teaches that the UE may assume that the network, when responding to the BFRQ, is transmitting PDCCH quasi co-located (QCL) with the RS associated with the new candidate beam in the BFRQ. Therefore, it is clear that the TCI state of the first physical channel (PDCCH) includes at least one of the following: a TCI state or a quasi-colocation (QCL) parameter associated with BFRQ or the second signal (response of BFRQ) or the first index information (new candidate beam index); or a TCI state or a quasi-colocation (QCL) parameter of a reference signal (candidate beam reference signal indicated by the candidate beam index) carried by BFRQ.).
Regarding claim 19, Yu teaches that a method for processing a message, comprising: determining a transmission configuration indication (TCI) state of a first physical channel based on an association between a beam failure detection reference signal (BFD RS) set index corresponding to a link in which a beam failure occurs and the transmission configuration indication (TCI) state of the first physical channel; wherein the first physical channel is a channel corresponding to the link in which the beam failure occurs (Yu, in Fig. 1 and in Paragraphs [0038]-[0039], teaches that The UE may consider the BFR procedure successfully completed upon receiving a MAC CE that indicates a change in a PDCCH Transmission Configuration Indication (TCI) state for the SCell triggering the BFRQ transmission. After determining that the SCell BFR procedure is successfully completed, the UE may receive a PDCCH on the SCell in which beam failure occurs with antenna port quasi-colocation parameters associated with the new candidate beam index in the BFR MAC CE after receiving the DCI format indicating a toggled NDI (New Data Indicator) value and scheduling the PUSCH transmission with the HARQ process ID used for transmission of the BFR MAC CE. Further, in Paragraph [0032], Yu teaches that the UE may assume that the network, when responding to the BFRQ, is transmitting PDCCH quasi co-located (QCL) with the RS associated with the new candidate beam in the BFRQ. Therefore, it is clear that a TCI state of a first physical channel (PDCCH) based on an association between BFD RS set index (the RS index associated with new candidate beam) corresponding to a link in which a beam failure occurs and the TCI state of the first physical channel (PDCCH).).
Regarding claim 20, combination of Yu and Matsumura teaches the features defined in the claims 19, -refer to the indicated claim for reference(s).
Yu further teaches that wherein the first physical channel is associated with a value of higher layer parameter of a CORESET used to transmit the first physical channel (Yu, in Fig. 1 and in Paragraph [0032], teaches that UE may receive a response from the network. In one implementation, a specific control resource set (CORESET) or search space is defined for response reception (e.g., CORESET-BFR or a SearchSpace-BFR indicated by a higher layer parameter recoverySearchSpaceid). The UE may monitor Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) (the first physical channel) transmission on the CORESET-BFR/SearchSpace-BFR to determine if the BFRQ is successfully received by the network. Therefore, it is clear that the first physical channel is associated with a value of higher layer parameter of a CORESET used to transmit the first physical channel.).
Regarding claim 21, combination of Yu and Matsumura teaches the features defined in the claims 19, -refer to the indicated claim for reference(s).
Yu further teaches that wherein the first physical channel comprises any one or more of the following: a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), or a physical random access channel (PRACH) (Yu, in Fig. 1 and in Paragraph [0034], teaches that for BFR (Beam Failure Recovery) in an SCell (Secondary Cell), the BFRQ (BFR Request) transmission in action 106 in FIG. 1 may be on(a) a PRACH, (b) a PUSCH, or (c) a PUCCH. Therefore, it is clear that the first physical channel can be PUCCH, PUSCH, or PRACH.).
Regarding claim 22, combination of Yu and Matsumura teaches the features defined in the claims 19, -refer to the indicated claim for reference(s).
Yu further teaches that wherein a transmission configuration indication (TCI) state of a first physical channel includes at least one of the following: a TCI state or a quasi-colocation (QCL) parameter associated with the beam failure recovery request signal or first index information; or a TCI state or a quasi-colocation (QCL) parameter of a reference signal carried by the beam failure recovery request signal; wherein the first index information is index information of the link in which a beam failure occurs (Yu, in Fig. 1 and in Paragraphs [0038]-[0039], teaches that The UE may consider the BFR procedure successfully completed upon receiving a MAC CE that indicates a change in a PDCCH (the first physical channel) Transmission Configuration Indication (TCI) state for the SCell triggering the BFRQ transmission. After determining that the SCell (Secondary Cell) BFR procedure is successfully completed, the UE may receive a PDCCH on the SCell in which beam failure occurs with antenna port quasi-colocation parameters associated with the new candidate beam index (the first index) in the BFR MAC CE after receiving the DCI format indicating a toggled NDI (New Data Indicator) value and scheduling the PUSCH transmission with the HARQ process ID used for transmission of the BFR MAC CE. Further, in Paragraph [0032], Yu teaches that the UE may assume that the network, when responding to the BFRQ, is transmitting PDCCH quasi co-located (QCL) with the RS associated with the new candidate beam in the BFRQ. Therefore, it is clear that the TCI state of a first physical channel includes at least one of the following: a TCI state or a quasi-colocation (QCL) parameter associated with the beam failure recovery request signal or first index information; or a TCI state or a quasi-colocation (QCL) parameter of a reference signal carried by the beam failure recovery request signal.).
Regarding claim 28, combination of Yu and Matsumura teaches the features defined in the claims 1, -refer to the indicated claim for reference(s).
Yu further teaches that a terminal device, comprising: a processor; and a memory storing a computer program that is executable by the processor, wherein the computer program, when executed by the processor, causes the terminal device to perform the method of claim 1 (Yu, in Fig. 6 and in Paragraph [0065], teaches that FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a node (can be a UE or a base station) for wireless communication according to the present application. As illustrated in FIG. 6, a node 600 may include a transceiver 620, a processor 628, a memory 634, one or more presentation components 638, and at least one antenna 636. The node 600 may also include a radio frequency (RF) spectrum band module, a base station (BS) communications module, a network communications module, and a system communications management module, Input/Output (I/O) ports, I/O components, and power supply (not explicitly shown in FIG. 6). In FIG. 6, the memory 634 may store computer-readable, computer-executable instructions 632 (e.g., software codes) that are configured to cause the processor 628 to perform various functions described herein Therefore, it is clear that a terminal device is comprising a memory storing a computer program and a processor that executes or performs the method.).
Regarding claim 35, combination of Yu and Matsumura teaches the features defined in the claims 8, -refer to the indicated claim for reference(s).
Yu further teaches that a terminal device, comprising: a processor; and a memory storing a computer program that is executable by the processor, wherein the computer program, when executed by the processor, causes the terminal device to perform the method of claim 8 (Yu, in Fig. 6 and in Paragraph [0065], teaches that FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a node (can be a UE or a base station) for wireless communication according to the present application. As illustrated in FIG. 6, a node 600 may include a transceiver 620, a processor 628, a memory 634, one or more presentation components 638, and at least one antenna 636. The node 600 may also include a radio frequency (RF) spectrum band module, a base station (BS) communications module, a network communications module, and a system communications management module, Input/Output (I/O) ports, I/O components, and power supply (not explicitly shown in FIG. 6). In FIG. 6, the memory 634 may store computer-readable, computer-executable instructions 632 (e.g., software codes) that are configured to cause the processor 628 to perform various functions described herein Therefore, it is clear that a terminal device is comprising a memory storing a computer program and a processor that executes or performs the method.).
Regarding claim 46, combination of Yu and Matsumura teaches the features defined in the claims 19, -refer to the indicated claim for reference(s).
Yu further teaches that a terminal device, comprising: a processor; and a memory storing a computer program that is executable by the processor, wherein the computer program, when executed by the processor, causes the terminal device to perform the method of claim 19 (Yu, in Fig. 6 and in Paragraph [0065], teaches that FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a node (can be a UE or a base station) for wireless communication according to the present application. As illustrated in FIG. 6, a node 600 may include a transceiver 620, a processor 628, a memory 634, one or more presentation components 638, and at least one antenna 636. The node 600 may also include a radio frequency (RF) spectrum band module, a base station (BS) communications module, a network communications module, and a system communications management module, Input/Output (I/O) ports, I/O components, and power supply (not explicitly shown in FIG. 6). In FIG. 6, the memory 634 may store computer-readable, computer-executable instructions 632 (e.g., software codes) that are configured to cause the processor 628 to perform various functions described herein Therefore, it is clear that a terminal device is comprising a memory storing a computer program and a processor that executes or performs the method.).
Claims 2 and 11 are rejected under U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Chia-Hao Yu and et. al (USPub. No.: US 20220303171 A1, hereinafter “Yu”) in a view of Yuki Matsumura et. al (USPub. No.: US 20220329312 A1, hereinafter “Matsumura”) and further in a view of Guo, Li (Int. Pub. No.: WO 2022057461 A1, hereinafter “Guo”).
Regarding claim 2, combination of Yu and Matsumura teaches the features defined in the claims 1, -refer to the indicated claim for reference(s).
Yu, in Paragraphs [0029]-[0030], teaches the BFRQ (the first signal) includes the new candidate beam RS index or the new candidate beam RS set index but Yu does not explicitly show the new candidate beam can be same as the BFD RS index or the BFD RS sed index.
Matsumura teaches wherein the first signal further comprises any one or more of the following information: a beam failure detection reference signal (BFD RS) index corresponding to the link in which the beam failure occurs; (Matsumura, in Fig. 1 and in Paragraphs [0033], [0038], and [0040]-[0041], teaches that the UE select the new candidate beam corresponding RS by measuring RS for the link that the beam failure is occurred. The selected new candidate beam RS (NCIB-RS) or NCIB-RS set is same as BFD-RS or BFD-RS set (that is beam failure detection is occurred) or is different from BFD-RS or BFD-RS set. As described in Paragraphs [0033], [0042]-[0043] and [005]-[0056], BFRQ includes a BFD-RS index or a BFD RS set index.
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to combine Yu, Lo, and Matsumura to include the technique of wherein the first signal further comprises any one or more of the following information: a beam failure detection reference signal (BFD RS) index corresponding to the link in which the beam failure occurs of Matsumura in the system of combination of Yu and Lo to provide a terminal and a radio communication method that perform BFR procedure appropriately, to avoid to reconnect a cell and deterioration of system throughput, when the RLF occurs. (Matsumura, see Paragraphs [0009] and [0022]).).
Combination of Yu and Matsumura does not explicitly teach that the first signal comprises the CORESET subindex corresponding to the beam failure link.
Guo teaches that a control resource set (CORESET) subset index corresponding to the link in which the beam failure occurs; a CORESET index corresponding to the link in which the beam failure occurs; a value of higher layer parameter CORESETPoolIndex of a CORESET, corresponding to the link in which the beam failure occurs; a beam failure recovery (BFR) procedure index corresponding to the link in which the beam failure occurs (Guo, in Fig. 4 and 5 and in Paragraphs [0093]-[0098], teaches that the UE may use one MAC CE to report the beam failure of PDCCH of a TRP to the system (the first signal). In one example, the UE is configured with multi-TRP transmission and the UE is configured to operate beam failure recovery on PDCCH of each TRP separately. When the UE detects beam failure on the PDCCH of a TRP, the UE may be requested to report such event to the system. Therefore, each TRP or TRP ID can be considered as the BFR procedure index. In the MAC CE, the UE may be requested to include one or more of the following information: 1) A serving cell index for the Cell where beam failure is detected. 2) An indicator to indicate the index of TRP where beam failure is detected. In one example, this information element may be the value of higher layer parameter CORESETPoollndex associated with the PDCCHs of the TRP. 3) An indicator to indicate whether a candidate RS ID is included. 4) A candidate RS ID that is used to provide one RS ID for the candidate beam RS (BFD-RS). Examples of MAC CE reporting beam failure for a multi-TRP system are illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. Therefore, it is clear that the first signal includes the BFD-RS IDs, CORESET IDs, and BFR procedure IDs corresponding to the link that beam failure occurs.
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to combine Yu, Matsumura, and Guo to include the technique of a control resource set (CORESET) subset index corresponding to the link in which the beam failure occurs; a CORESET index corresponding to the link in which the beam failure occurs; a value of higher layer parameter CORESETPoolIndex of a CORESET, corresponding to the link in which the beam failure occurs; a beam failure recovery (BFR) procedure index corresponding to the link in which the beam failure occurs of Guo in the system of combination of Yu and Matsumura to provides a method for beam failure recovery by performing beam failure detection for each TRP (Transmission and reception point), independently, to improve the efficiency of beam failure recovery (Guo, see Paragraphs [0004] and [0016]).).
Regarding claim 11, combination of Yu and Matsumura teaches the features defined in the claims 8, -refer to the indicated claim for reference(s).
Although combination of Yu and Matsumura teach these different physical channel cases, Guo further teaches that in case that the first physical channel is a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) or a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), a CORESET for reception of the second signal and a CORESET on which the PDCCH scheduling the first physical channel is transmitted have the same higher layer parameter of a CORESET or are associated with the same first index information (Guo, in Paragraphs [00107] and [00109], teaches that the UE may transmit in a first PUSCH MAC CE providing index(es) for at least corresponding serving cell(s) with radio link quality worse than the out of synch threshold, Qout,LR, indication(s) of presence of qnew for corresponding serving cell(s), an indicator of CORESETPoollndex value and index(es), qnew, for a periodic CSI-RS configuration or for an SS/PBCH block provided by higher layers, for corresponding serving cell, after 28 symbols from a last symbol of a PDCCH reception with a DCI format scheduling a PUSCH transmission with a same HARQ process number as for the transmission of the first PUSCH and having a toggled NDI field value. Further, after PDCCH reception with DCI format, the UE monitors all PDSCH that are scheduled by PDCCH configured/associated with the same CORESETPoollndex value indicated by the MAC CE using the same antenna port quasi co-location parameters as the ones associated with the corresponding index(es) qnew. Therefore, it is clear that a CORESET for reception of the second signal and a CORESET on which the PDCCH scheduling for PUSCH or PDSCH is transmitted have the same higher layer parameter of a CORESET or are associated with the same first index information (Periodic RS indexes).) in case that the first physical channel is a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), a CORESET for transmission of a second signal and a CORESET for transmission of a first physical channel have the same higher layer parameter of a CORESET or are associated with the same first index information; (Guo, in Paragraph [00108], teaches that after PDCCH reception with a DCI format, the UE monitors PDCCH in all CORESETs on the serving cell indicated by the
MAC CE that are configured/associated with the same CORESETPoollndex value indicated by the MAC CE using the same antenna port quasi co-location parameters as the ones associated with the corresponding index(es) qnew. Therefore, it is clear that a CORESET for transmission of a second signal and a CORESET for transmission of PDCCH have the same higher layer parameter of a CORESET or are associated with the same RS indexes.) in case that the first physical channel is a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), a CORESET for reception of the second signal and a CORESET on which the PDCCH indicating a first physical channel resource is transmitted have the same higher layer parameter of a CORESET or are associated with the same first index information; in case that the first physical channel is the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), a CORESET for reception of the second signal and a first physical channel resource are associated with the same first index information; (Guo, in Paragraph [00110], teaches that after PDCCH reception with a DCI format, the UE transmits PUCCH on PUCCH transmissions associated with the same CORESETPoollndex value indicated by the MAC CE using a same spatial domain filter as the one corresponding to qnew for periodic CSI-RS or SS/PBCH block reception, and using a power determined with qu = 0, qd = qnew, and l = 0. Therefore, it is clear that a CORESET for reception of the second signal and a CORESET on which the PDCCH indicating PUCCH is transmitted have the same higher layer parameter of a CORESET or are associated with the same RS indexes.
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to combine Yu, Matsumura, and Guo to include the technique of wherein in case that the first physical channel is a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), a CORESET for transmission of a second signal and a CORESET for transmission of a first physical channel have the same higher layer parameter of a CORESET or are associated with the same first index information; in case that the first physical channel is a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), a CORESET for reception of the second signal and a CORESET on which the PDCCH indicating a first physical channel resource is transmitted have the same higher layer parameter of a CORESET or are associated with the same first index information; in case that the first physical channel is the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), a CORESET for reception of the second signal and a first physical channel resource are associated with the same first index information; or in case that the first physical channel is a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) or a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), a CORESET for reception of the second signal and a CORESET on which the PDCCH scheduling the first physical channel is transmitted have the same higher layer parameter of a CORESET or are associated with the same first index information of Guo in the system of combination of Yu and Matsumura to provides a method for beam failure recovery by performing beam failure detection for each TRP (Transmission and reception point), independently, to improve the efficiency of beam failure recovery (Li, see Paragraphs [0004] and [0016]).
Although combination of Yu, Matsumura, and Guo teaches all of claim 11, Examiner notes that this claim contains contingent limitations. For method claims with contingent limitations, the broadest reasonable interpretation includes methods where the condition is met and where the condition isn't met. The limitations starting with "… in case that the first physical channel … in case that the first physical channel … in case that the first physical channel … in case that the first physical channel …" is contingent limitations. The claim has been interpreted to not require the conditions stated to be met. See MPEP 2111.04 subsection 11.).
Conclusion
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/JAEYOUNG KWAK/Examiner, Art Unit 2472
/KEVIN T BATES/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2472
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