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 .
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and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114.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 07/30/2026 has been entered.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) 1-14, 16-18, 20-23 and 45-53 have been considered but are moot based on new grounds of rejections.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
Claim(s) 1-4, 6, 10-14, 17, 21-23, 28, 50 and 52-53 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Ji et al. (US 2021/0143879; hereinafter Ji) in view of Ernstrom et al. (US 2023/0184871; hereinafter Ernstrom).
Regarding claim 1, Ji shows a user equipment (UE) (Figures 2 and 15 shows a terminal.) comprising:
a transceiver (Figures 2 and 15; terminal includes a transceiver.) including a first antenna element and a second antenna element (Figure 2; Par. 0132; noted antenna panels in each folding surface.), wherein the UE is configured to allow changing of a physical relationship between the first antenna element and the second antenna element of the UE between a first state and a second state (Figure 2; Par. 0132; terminal is configurable to be in folded or unfolded/open state which changes the physical relationship of the antenna panels in each folding surface.), the physical relationship between the first antenna element and the second antenna element being different in the first state and the second state (Figure 2; Par. 0132; terminal is configurable to be in folded or unfolded/open state.);
a memory (Figure 15; terminal includes a storage unit.); and
a processor, communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the memory (Figure 15 shows the controller communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the storage unit.), configured to:
provide at least one notification in response to a determination of a change of the physical relationship between the first antenna element and the second antenna element has changed from the first state to the second state (Figures 2 and 9; Par. 0132-0133; 0199-0200, 0203; the terminal determines whether it is in a folded (or closed) state or an unfolded (or open) state in consideration of the distance between antenna modules of the folding terminal, based on the received signal. If it is determined that the terminal is in the open state in step 910, the terminal recognizes that its own state has switched from the closed state to the open state and transmits, to the base station, feedback (TPF of Table 2) indicating that reconfiguration of the antenna is required.).
Ji shows all of the elements, as discussed above. Ji does not specifically show the step to transmit, via the transceiver for a network entity, an indication of a positioning reference signal configuration to be used with the UE based on the determination of the change.
However, the above-mentioned claim limitations are well-established in the art as evidenced by Ernstrom. Specifically, Ernstrom shows transmitting, via the transceiver for a network entity, an indication of a positioning reference signal configuration to be used with the UE based on the determination of the change (Par. 0037; 0221-0235, 0240; For a UE with a physical form that can change with time such as e.g., a foldable UE, the antenna configuration parameters could be updated through UE signaling when the form of the UE is changed. Alternatively, the UE could first signal the antenna configuration for all UE forms and then update the network with the current UE form as described by one or more parameters. The reference antenna panel can be one of those used for network configuration such as using as a reference the antenna panel configuration of the reference PRS.).
In view of the above, having the system of Ji, then given the well-established teaching of Ernstrom, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Ji as taught by Ernstrom, in order to provide motivation for achieving knowledge on the relative errors in RX and/or TX timing errors between different antenna panels (Par. 0171 of Ernstrom).
Regarding claim 2, modified Ji shows wherein to provide the at least one notification the processor is configured to send a first notification to a positioning unit of the UE that is configured to determine a position of the UE (Ji: Figure 2 and 9; Par. 0132-0133, 0199-0200; the terminal transmits a signal for sensing using an antenna module in step 900. This signal may be intended for sensing mode 1 or 2. The terminal determines whether it is in a folded (or closed) state or an unfolded (or open) state in consideration of the distance between antenna modules of the folding terminal, based on the received signal.), send a second notification to the network entity via the transceiver; or a combination thereof.
Regarding claim 3, modified Ji shows wherein the processor is configured to:
determine the change of the physical relationship between the first antenna element and the second antenna element from the first state to the second state based on at least one of:
whether a separation between the first antenna element and the second antenna element of the transceiver has changed (Ji: Figures 2 and 9; Par. 0132-0133; 0199-0200, 0203; the terminal determines whether it is in a folded (or closed) state or an unfolded (or open) state in consideration of the distance between antenna modules of the folding terminal, based on the received signal. If it is determined that the terminal is in the open state in step 910, the terminal recognizes that its own state has switched from the closed state to the open state and transmits, to the base station, feedback indicating that reconfiguration of the antenna is required.); or
whether an orientation of the first antenna element relative to the second antenna element has changed (Figures 2 and 9; Par. 0132-0133; 0199-0200, 0203; the terminal determines whether it is in a folded (or closed) state or an unfolded (or open) state in consideration of the distance between antenna modules of the folding terminal, based on the received signal. If it is determined that the terminal is in the open state in step 910, the terminal recognizes that its own state has switched from the closed state to the open state and transmits, to the base station, feedback indicating that reconfiguration of the antenna is required.), or a combination thereof (Figures 2 and 9; Par. 0132-0133; 0199-0200, 0203; the terminal determines whether it is in a folded (or closed) state or an unfolded (or open) state in consideration of the distance between antenna modules of the folding terminal, based on the received signal. If it is determined that the terminal is in the open state in step 910, the terminal recognizes that its own state has switched from the closed state to the open state and transmits, to the base station, feedback indicating that reconfiguration of the antenna is required.).
Regarding claim 4, modified Ji shows wherein the at least one notification indicates that the physical relationship between the first antenna element and the second antenna element has changed (Ji: Figures 2 and 9; Par. 0132-0133; 0199-0200, 0203; If it is determined that the terminal is in the open state in step 910, the terminal recognizes that its own state has switched from the closed state to the open state and transmits, to the base station, feedback (TPF of Table 2) indicating that reconfiguration of the antenna is required.).
Regarding claim 6, modified Ji shows the step to provide at least one initial notification that indicates a default condition of the UE, wherein, to provide at least one notification in response to the determination of the change, the processor is configured to: provide, after a provision of the at least one initial notification that indicates the default condition of the UE, at least one further notification indicating that a present physical relationship between the first antenna element and the other component of the UE is in the second state (Enrstrom: Par. 0037; 0221-0235, 0240; For a UE with a physical form that can change with time such as e.g., a foldable UE, the antenna configuration parameters could be updated through UE signaling when the form of the UE is changed. Alternatively, the UE could first signal the antenna configuration for all UE forms and then update the network with the current UE form as described by one or more parameters.).
Regarding claim 10, modified Ji shows wherein the processor is further configured to send a capability message, to the network entity via the transceiver, indicating a plurality of states wherein each state of the plurality of states corresponds to a different physical relationship between the first antenna element and second antenna element, wherein the plurality of states includes the first state and the second state (Ji: Figures 2 and 4; Table 2; Par. 0160; terminal transmits UE capability signaling to the base station. The UE capability signaling may include information indicating whether or not the receiver is able to support at least one of the functions provided by the disclosure, such as the panel modes of Table 2.).
Regarding claim 11, modified Ji shows wherein the processor is configured to provide a configuration indication of one or more positioning signal configuration parameters to be used by the UE for performing positioning until indicated otherwise by the processor (Ernstrom: Par. 0037; 0221-0235, 0240; For a UE with a physical form that can change with time such as e.g., a foldable UE, the antenna configuration parameters could be updated through UE signaling when the form of the UE is changed. Alternatively, the UE could first signal the antenna configuration for all UE forms and then update the network with the current UE form as described by one or more parameters. The reference antenna panel can be one of those used for network configuration such as using as a reference the antenna panel configuration of the reference PRS.).
Regarding claim 12, Ji shows a method at a UE (user equipment) (Figure 9 shows a method performed in part by the terminal of Figures 2 and 15.) for responding to a change in physical relationship between a first antenna element and a second antenna element, the method comprising:
providing at least one notification in response to a determination of the change of the physical relationship between the first antenna element and the second antenna element from a first state to a second state (Figures 2 and 9; Par. 0132-0133; 0199-0200, 0203; If it is determined that the terminal is in the open state in step 910, the terminal recognizes that its own state has switched from the closed state to the open state and transmits, to the base station, feedback (TPF of Table 2) indicating that reconfiguration of the antenna is required.).
Ji shows all of the elements, as discussed above. Ji does not specifically show transmitting, from the UE for a network entity, an indication of a positioning reference signal configuration to be used with the UE based on the determination of the change.
However, the above-mentioned claim limitations are well-established in the art as evidenced by Ernstrom. Specifically, Ernstrom shows transmitting, from the UE for a network entity, an indication of a positioning reference signal configuration to be used with the UE based on the determination of the change (Par. 0037; 0221-0235, 0240; For a UE with a physical form that can change with time such as e.g., a foldable UE, the antenna configuration parameters could be updated through UE signaling when the form of the UE is changed. Alternatively, the UE could first signal the antenna configuration for all UE forms and then update the network with the current UE form as described by one or more parameters. The reference antenna panel can be one of those used for network configuration such as using as a reference the antenna panel configuration of the reference PRS.).
In view of the above, having the system of Ji, then given the well-established teaching of Ernstrom, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Ji as taught by Ernstrom, in order to provide motivation for achieving knowledge on the relative errors in RX and/or TX timing errors between different antenna panels (Par. 0171 of Ernstrom).
Regarding claims 13, 14, 17, 21 and 22, these claims are rejected based on the same reasoning as presented in the rejection of claims 2, 3, 6, 10 and 11, respectively.
Regarding claim 23, Ji shows a UE (user equipment) (Figures 2 and 15 shows a terminal.) comprising:
means (Figure 15 shows instructions stored in the storage unit and executed by the controller to perform the disclosed method.) for providing at least one notification in response to a determination of the change of the physical relationship between the first antenna element and the second antenna element from a first state to a second state (Figures 2 and 9; Par. 0132-0133; 0199-0200, 0203; If it is determined that the terminal is in the open state in step 910, the terminal recognizes that its own state has switched from the closed state to the open state and transmits, to the base station, feedback (TPF of Table 2) indicating that reconfiguration of the antenna is required.).
Ji shows all of the elements, as discussed above. Ji does not specifically show the means for transmitting, from the UE for a network entity, an indication of a positioning reference signal configuration to be used with the UE based on the determination of the change.
However, the above-mentioned claim limitations are well-established in the art as evidenced by Ernstrom. Specifically, Ernstrom shows transmitting, via the transceiver for a network entity, an indication of a positioning reference signal configuration to be used with the UE based on the determination of the change (Par. 0037; 0221-0235, 0240; For a UE with a physical form that can change with time such as e.g., a foldable UE, the antenna configuration parameters could be updated through UE signaling when the form of the UE is changed. Alternatively, the UE could first signal the antenna configuration for all UE forms and then update the network with the current UE form as described by one or more parameters. The reference antenna panel can be one of those used for network configuration such as using as a reference the antenna panel configuration of the reference PRS.).
In view of the above, having the system of Ji, then given the well-established teaching of Ernstrom, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Ji as taught by Ernstrom, in order to provide motivation for achieving knowledge on the relative errors in RX and/or TX timing errors between different antenna panels (Par. 0171 of Ernstrom).
Regarding claim 28, this claim is rejected based on the same reasoning as presented in the rejection of claim 6.
Regarding claim 50, modified Ji shows wherein, to provide the at least one notification in response to the determination of the change, the processor is configured to: transmit: a notification comprising a second indication of a set of physical parameters based on the determination of the change (Ernstrom: Par. 0037; 0221-0235, 0240; For a UE with a physical form that can change with time such as e.g., a foldable UE, the antenna configuration parameters could be updated through UE signaling when the form of the UE is changed. Alternatively, the UE could first signal the antenna configuration for all UE forms and then update the network with the current UE form as described by one or more parameters.).
Regarding claim 52, modified Ji shows wherein the set of physical parameters comprises a relative orientation between the first antenna element and the second antenna element based on the determination of the change (Ernstrom: Par. 0037; 0221-0235, 0240; For a UE with a physical form that can change with time such as e.g., a foldable UE, the antenna configuration parameters could be updated through UE signaling when the form of the UE is changed. Alternatively, the UE could first signal the antenna configuration for all UE forms and then update the network with the current UE form as described by one or more parameters. The UE capability and antenna configuration information reported can contain at least the position of the antenna panels relative to a reference point in a local coordinate system. The reference point could, for example, be one of the antenna panel, and the ID of this reference antenna panel could be predefined (e.g., to 1) or it could be signaled to the network. The UE capability and antenna configuration information reported can also contain the direction of the antenna panels in a local coordinate system.).
Regarding claim 53, modified Ji shows wherein the set of physical parameters comprises a delta value indicating a second change to a physical parameter of the set of physical parameters based on the determination of the change (Ernstrom: Par. 0037; 0221-0235, 0240; For a UE with a physical form that can change with time such as e.g., a foldable UE, the antenna configuration parameters could be updated through UE signaling when the form of the UE is changed. Alternatively, the UE could first signal the antenna configuration for all UE forms and then update the network with the current UE form as described by one or more parameters. The UE capability and antenna configuration information reported can contain at least the position of the antenna panels relative to a reference point in a local coordinate system. The reference point could, for example, be one of the antenna panel, and the ID of this reference antenna panel could be predefined (e.g., to 1) or it could be signaled to the network. The UE capability and antenna configuration information reported can also contain the direction of the antenna panels in a local coordinate system.).
Claim(s) 5 and 16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Ji in view of Ernstrom and Klomsdorf et al. (US 2022/0182473; hereinafter Klomsdorf).
Regarding claim 5, modified Ji shows all of the elements except wherein the at least one notification indicates: that the first antenna element is disabled based on the determination of the change; that the second antenna element is enabled based on the determination of the change; one or more calibration parameters associated with an electrical distance between the first antenna element and the second antenna element based on the determination of the change; or any combination thereof.
However, the above-mentioned claim limitations are well-established in the art as evidenced by Klomsdorf. Specifically, Klomsdorf shows wherein the at least one notification indicates:
that the first antenna element is disabled based on the determination of the change (Par. 0099; wherein said receiving the indication of the change in the physical configuration of the wireless device includes receiving an indication that the wireless device transitions from an open configuration to a folded configuration; wherein said configuring the first antenna set with reduced functionality includes switching the first antenna set off and communicating a first notification to a remote network module based on the transition to the folded configuration.);
that the second antenna element is enabled based on the determination of the change (Par. 0099; wherein said receiving the indication of the change in the physical configuration of the wireless device includes receiving an indication that the wireless device transitions from an open configuration to a folded configuration; wherein said configuring the first antenna set with reduced functionality includes switching the first antenna set off and communicating a first notification to a remote network module based on the transition to the folded configuration.);
one or more calibration parameters associated with an electrical distance between the first antenna element and the second antenna element based on the determination of the change; or
any combination thereof.
In view of the above, having the system of Ji, then given the well-established teaching of Klomsdorf, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Ji as taught by Klomsdorf, in order to provide motivation to optimize performance in different frequency bands based on changes in device configuration between open positions and folded positions (Par. 0014 of Klomsdorf).
Regarding claim 16, this claim is rejected based on the same reasoning as presented in the rejection of claim 5.
Claim(s) 7, 9, 18 and 20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Ji in view of Ernstrom and Moisio et al. (US 2015/0050927; hereinafter Moisio).
Regarding claim 7, modified Ji shows all of the elements except provide the at least one further notification in response to a second determination that the physical relationship between the first antenna element and the second antenna element has been in the second state for at least a threshold amount of time.
However, the above-mentioned claim limitations are well-established in the art as evidenced by Moisio. Specifically, Moisio shows providing the at least one further notification in response to a second determination that the physical relationship between the first antenna element and the second antenna element has been in the second state for at least a threshold amount of time (Figure 3; Par. 0033; the device could signal the new form after it has not been changed for a certain period of time (threshold t1), and/or indicate that now the form is being changed if changing lasts longer than a threshold (t2).).
In view of the above, having the system of Ji, then given the well-established teaching of Moisio, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Ji as taught by Moisio, in order to provide motivation for efficiently updating radio configurations for the device having multiple forms, based on the new parameters (Par. 0027 of Moisio).
Regarding claim 9, modified Ji shows all of the elements except wherein the at least one notification is at least one initial notification, and wherein the processor is further configured to provide, after a provision of the at least one initial notification, at least one further notification in response to a second determination that the physical relationship between the first antenna element and the second antenna element has returned to the first state and that the physical relationship has been in the first state, after returning to the first state, for at least a threshold amount of time.
However, the above-mentioned claim limitations are well-established in the art as evidenced by Moisio. Specifically, Moisio wherein the at least one notification is at least one initial notification, and wherein the processor is further configured to provide, after a provision of the at least one initial notification, at least one further notification in response to a second determination that the physical relationship between the first antenna element and the second antenna element has returned to the first state and that the physical relationship has been in the first state, after returning to the first state, for at least a threshold amount of time (Figures 2-3; Par. 0045, 0047; the UE 210 signals to the network 200 a set of pre-defined RRC configurations. Upon a change in form factor, the UE 210 can indicate to the network which of the pre-defined RRC configurations should be assumed by the network 200. For example, in the case of two configurations being supported, the UE 210 would require only 1-bit signaling to indicate a configuration change due to a form factor change. The signaling bit can also be piggybacked onto some existing signaling messages/bearers.).
In view of the above, having the system of Ji, then given the well-established teaching of Moisio, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Ji as taught by Moisio, in order to provide motivation for efficiently updating radio configurations for the device having multiple forms, based on the new parameters (Par. 0027 of Moisio).
Regarding claims 18 and 20, these claims are rejected based on the same reasoning as presented in the rejection of claims 7 and 9, respectively.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 8, 45-49 and 51 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
Examiner submits that none of the prior art references cited in this action teaches the claimed subject matter as specifically presented in the above dependent claims. The allowance of this application is based on an examination wherein the claim limitations recited in the dependent claims were not taken alone but in view of the scope of the claim(s) as a whole including any proceeding and/or preceding claim limitation(s) present within the claims and by their respective dependencies on other claims.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
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/REDENTOR PASIA/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2413
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