DETAILED ACTION
Response to Amendment
In response to amendment filed on 11/19/2025, claim 31 is added as a new claim and claim 27 is cancelled. Claims 1- 26 and 28- 31 are pending for examinations.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed in the remarks on 11/19/2025 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
On page 11 last two lines to page 12 first six lines of the remarks filed on 11/19/2025, applicant argues, “HWANG does not disclose "transmit interference assistance feedback that indicates one or more parameters of interference cancelation or suppression based at least in part on the interference assistance information," and "receive a communication within a set of time and frequency resources associated with a multiple user (MU)-multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) group, the MU-MIMO group associated with the interference assistance feedback,”; on page 12 last paragraph applicant argues regarding above context, “HWANG discloses feedback that relates generally to HARQ status and channel/interference conditions, but does not disclose "one or more parameters of interference cancelation or suppression" that are "based at least in part on the interference assistance information," as recited by claim 1 (emphasis added). In HWANG, the feedback merely enables the base station to adjust MCS or retransmission, but there is no disclosure that the feedback relates to interference cancellation or suppression parameters that are derived from interference assistance information previously received by the UE ”.
Examiner disagrees and respectfully submits that as per claim recitations, “receive interference assistance information associated with interference cancelation or suppression for one or more communications; transmit interference assistance feedback that indicates one or more parameters of interference cancelation or suppression based at least in part on the interference assistance information” as per [0059] Hwang discussed about flow between a base station and two UEs where the base station broadcasts assistance information (i.e. In one novel aspect, addition information is provided between eNB and UE for interference cancellation. From eNB perspective, it provides assistance information to UEs for CWIC. The assistance information may include modulation order and code rate information of the PDSCH for data transmission that may cause interference to other UEs. From UE perspective, it provides feedback information to the eNB for MCS level assignment. The feedback information (i.e. interference assistance feedback) may include additional channel quality and interference condition information of a data transmission of a desired transport block (i.e. parameter indicates interference condition information) with respect to the decoding of the desired transport block; refer to abstract) for CWIC (codeword level interference cancellation). Hence interference assistance feedback indicates parameter/s of interference cancellation/suppression based on the assistance information; now refer to Fig. 13 wherein at step #1315 UE2 performs CWIC to cancel the contribution from the interfering radio signal based on the assistance information broadcasted from BS 1301..; see [0059]. (i.e. Codeword Level Interference Cancellation (CWIC) is a robust signal processing technique for improving the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) by identifying, decoding, reconstructing, and subtracting interfering codewords from the desired signal. Because CWIC significantly boosts the signal quality after subtraction, it allows the network to assign a higher, more efficient Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) level); now refer to [0060] regarding In order to assign proper modulation and coding scheme (MCS) level, the transmitting station is required to know the Channel State Information (CSI) of the radio channels connecting it to each of the receiving stations for transmission…. it is common for the receiving stations (e.g., UEs) to measure CSI and report CSI to the transmitting station (e.g., eNB) via an uplink feedback channel… In addition to CSI feedback, if Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) is performed, then HARQ ACK/NACK status provides important feedback information to eNB for MCS level assignment; now refer to [0063] regarding feedbacks specifically In step 1422, UE 1402 reports HARQ_ACK_self.sub.1 indicator to BS 1401. Under the situation when HARQ_ACK_self.sub.i=NACK, then in step 1423, UE 1402 reports additional feedback information, including CQI_lack_self.sub.1 indicator and HARQ_ACK_interference.sub.1 indicator. These two additional indicators provide more detailed information about the channel quality and interference condition of the first TB transmission with respect to the decoding of the desired transport block. In step 1432, UE 1402 reports HARQ_ACK_self.sub.2 indicator to BS 1401. Under the situation when HARQ_ACK_self.sub.2=NACK, then in step 1433, UE 1402 reports additional feedback information of CQI_lack_self.sub.2 indicator and HARQ_ACK_interference.sub.2 indicator. Based on the additional information that is feedback from UE 1402 (i.e. interference assistance feedback), BS 1401 can provide more accurate MCS level assignment (i.e. hence this way UE transmits interference assistance feedback that indicates one or more parameters of interference cancelation or suppression based at least in part on the interference assistance information).
On page 13, lines 4- 11 of remarks, applicant argues, “Second, HWANG describes MU-MIMO transmission, but does not disclose associating a MU-MIMO group assignment or specific resource set with the feedback from the UE. In HWANG, there is not an explicit linkage between the interference assistance feedback and the subsequent assignment of MU-MIMO group resources for communication. For at least this reason, HWANG also does not disclose "receive a communication within a set of time and frequency resources associated with a multiple user (MU)-multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) group, the MU-MIMO group associated with the interference assistance feedback," as recited by claim 1 (emphasis added)”.
Examiner disagrees and respectfully submits that Hwang in [0063] states about…..in step 1431, BS 1401 determines MCS and transmits the TB for the second time. In step 1432, UE 1402 reports HARQ_ACK_self.sub.2 indicator to BS 1401. Under the situation when HARQ_ACK_self.sub.2=NACK, then in step 1433, UE 1402 reports additional feedback information of CQI_lack_self.sub.2 indicator and HARQ_ACK_interference.sub.2 indicator. Based on the additional information that is feedback from UE 1402, BS 1401 can provide more accurate MCS level assignment (i.e. QAM see [0034] wherein QAM (i.e. using QAM modulation scheme data is transmitted on time and frequency resources (i.e. second transmission is adapted based on the feedback (i.e. since MIMO increases the data rate by transmitting multiple data streams simultaneously. The MCS assignment determines how dense the modulation is (e.g., 256QAM vs. 64QAM) and how much error correction is needed for each of those streams also if a MIMO link is strong (high SNR), a high MCS index is assigned. If the channel is weak, the system lowers the MCS index to maintain connectivity)); also refer to [0038]… the eNodeB transmitter, the information bits are turbo encoded with the code rate of R=⅓ to generate K.sub.w coded bits. The number of transmitted coded bits is determined based on the size of the allocated time-frequency resource and the modulation coding scheme (MCS) assigned to the UE…
On pages 14- 15 of remarks applicant argues regarding claims 15, 30 which are similar to arguments discussed above. Examiner respectfully submits to refer to the above response and clarification.
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) 31 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument. Examiner has considered reference Cao et al. (US Pub. No. 2021/0376888 A1). Cao states regarding wherein the interference assistance information comprises a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) bitmap indicating, for UEs in the MU- MIMO group, DMRSs that are to be used by each UE for interference cancellation or suppression; see [0219] … another schematic implementation, the usage configuration information may be bitmap information. For example, the used DMRS port is indicated as 1 in a bitmap, and the unused DMRS port is indicated as 0 in the bitmap. The usage configuration information may be included in UE-specific DCI and transmitted to the user equipment, and thus the DMRS configuration determination module 1522 at the UE side can acquire the bitmap information by decoding the DCI from the base station, and determine a DMRS port corresponding to the TCI state indicated as “1” in the bitmap information as the interference DMRS port. Therefore, the user equipment can perform corresponding interference removing and data demodulation, thereby implementing the “non-transparent” MU-MIMO transmission using the TCI mechanism.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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- 9, 28 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102 (a)(1) as being anticipated by Hwang et al. (US Pub. No. 2017/0134150 A1).
Regarding claim 1, Hwang teaches a user equipment (UE) for wireless communication, comprising: one or more memories; and one or more processors, coupled to the one or more memories (see Fig. 13- 14, UE and BS), configured to:
receive interference assistance information associated with interference cancelation or suppression for one or more communications (see [0059].. In step 1311, a serving base station BS 1301 schedules a first UE#1 for data transmission. The data transmission may be associated with MU-MIMO, NOMA, SU-MIMO or any other transmission schemes. In step 1312, the BS broadcasts assistance information to all base stations and UEs including UE#2 over certain predefined time-frequency resource such that all base stations and UEs within the cell coverage can receive the assistance information…);
transmit interference assistance feedback that indicates one or more parameters of interference cancelation or suppression based at least in part on the interference assistance information (see [0062- 0063] and Fig. 13-14 regarding …The third indicator is CQI_lack_self.sub.n, n>=1: which is reported when HARQ_ACK_self.sub.n=NACK. The CQI_lack_self.sub.n indicator corresponds to the shortage of spectral efficiency (bps/Hz) of the n-th transmission of a desired transport so that the decoding of the n-th transmission of the desired transport can succeed. Finally, the fourth indicator is HARQ_ACK_interference.sub.n, n>=1: which is reported when HARQ_ACK_self.sub.n=NACK. The HARQ_ACK_interference.sub.n indicator corresponds to the decoding status of an interfering transport block occurring at the n-th transmission of the desired transport block; see [0062]; further see [0063]… In step 1422, UE 1402 reports HARQ_ACK_self.sub.1 indicator to BS 1401. Under the situation when HARQ_ACK_self.sub.i=NACK, then in step 1423, UE 1402 reports additional feedback information, including CQI_lack_self.sub.1 indicator and HARQ_ACK_interference.sub.1 indicator. These two additional indicators provide more detailed information about the channel quality and interference condition of the first TB transmission with respect to the decoding of the desired transport block.); and
receive a communication within a set of time and frequency resources associated with a multiple user (MU)-multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) group, the MU-MIMO group associated with the interference assistance feedback (see [0063]…. in step 1431, BS 1401 determines MCS and transmits the TB for the second time. In step 1432, UE 1402 reports HARQ_ACK_self.sub.2 indicator to BS 1401. Under the situation when HARQ_ACK_self.sub.2=NACK, then in step 1433, UE 1402 reports additional feedback information of CQI_lack_self.sub.2 indicator and HARQ_ACK_interference.sub.2 indicator. Based on the additional information that is feedback from UE 1402, BS 1401 can provide more accurate MCS level assignment (i.e. QAM see [0034] wherein QAM (i.e. using QAM modulation scheme data is transmitted on time and frequency resources).
Regarding claim 5, Hwang teaches as per claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: receive, before transmitting the interference assistance feedback, an additional communication based at least in part on the interference assistance information; see [0059].. see Fig. 13, #1312, 1313.
Regarding claim 7, Hwang teaches as per claim 1, wherein the communication comprises a groupcast message associated with the MU-MIMO group; see [0059]… broadcasts assistance information to all base stations and UEs including UE#2 over certain predefined time-frequency resource such that all base stations and UEs within the cell coverage can receive the assistance information i.e. group of all base stations and UE/s are being casted.
Regarding claim 8, Hwang teaches as per claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: receive, based at least in part on transmitting the interference assistance feedback, additional interference assistance information associated with interference cancelation or suppression for the communication; see [0063]... UE 1402 reports additional feedback information, including CQI_lack_self.sub.1 indicator and HARQ_ACK_interference.sub.1 indicator. These two additional indicators provide more detailed information about the channel quality and interference condition of the first TB transmission with respect to the decoding of the desired transport block. Next, in step 1431, BS 1401 determines MCS and transmits the TB for the second time. In step 1432, UE 1402 reports HARQ_ACK_self.sub.2 indicator to BS 1401. Under the situation when HARQ_ACK_self.sub.2=NACK, then in step 1433, UE 1402 reports additional feedback information of CQI_lack_self.sub.2 indicator and HARQ_ACK_interference.sub.2 indicator. Based on the additional information that is feedback from UE 1402, BS 1401 can provide more accurate MCS level assignment.
Regarding claim 9, Hwang teaches as per claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: transmit an indication of a receiver type of the UE, or receive a configuration of an operating mode for communication with a network node; see [0059] …step 1311, a serving base station BS 1301 schedules a first UE#1 for data transmission. The data transmission may be associated with MU-MIMO, NOMA, SU-MIMO or any other transmission schemes.
Regarding claim 10, Hwang teaches as per claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: receive an indication of association with the MU-MIMO group; see [0059], #1312.
Regarding claim 28, Hwang teaches method of wireless communication performed by a user equipment (UE), comprising (see Fig. 13- 14, UE and BS):
receiving interference assistance information associated with interference cancelation or suppression for one or more communications (see [0059].. In step 1311, a serving base station BS 1301 schedules a first UE#1 for data transmission. The data transmission may be associated with MU-MIMO, NOMA, SU-MIMO or any other transmission schemes. In step 1312, the BS broadcasts assistance information to all base stations and UEs including UE#2 over certain predefined time-frequency resource such that all base stations and UEs within the cell coverage can receive the assistance information…);
transmiting interference assistance feedback that indicates one or more parameters of interference cancelation or suppression based at least in part on the interference assistance information (see [0062- 0063] and Fig. 13-14 regarding …The third indicator is CQI_lack_self.sub.n, n>=1: which is reported when HARQ_ACK_self.sub.n=NACK. The CQI_lack_self.sub.n indicator corresponds to the shortage of spectral efficiency (bps/Hz) of the n-th transmission of a desired transport so that the decoding of the n-th transmission of the desired transport can succeed. Finally, the fourth indicator is HARQ_ACK_interference.sub.n, n>=1: which is reported when HARQ_ACK_self.sub.n=NACK. The HARQ_ACK_interference.sub.n indicator corresponds to the decoding status of an interfering transport block occurring at the n-th transmission of the desired transport block; see [0062]; further see [0063]… In step 1422, UE 1402 reports HARQ_ACK_self.sub.1 indicator to BS 1401. Under the situation when HARQ_ACK_self.sub.i=NACK, then in step 1423, UE 1402 reports additional feedback information, including CQI_lack_self.sub.1 indicator and HARQ_ACK_interference.sub.1 indicator. These two additional indicators provide more detailed information about the channel quality and interference condition of the first TB transmission with respect to the decoding of the desired transport block.); and
receiving a communication within a set of time and frequency resources associated with a multiple user (MU)-multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) group, the MU-MIMO group associated with the interference assistance feedback (see [0063]…. in step 1431, BS 1401 determines MCS and transmits the TB for the second time. In step 1432, UE 1402 reports HARQ_ACK_self.sub.2 indicator to BS 1401. Under the situation when HARQ_ACK_self.sub.2=NACK, then in step 1433, UE 1402 reports additional feedback information of CQI_lack_self.sub.2 indicator and HARQ_ACK_interference.sub.2 indicator. Based on the additional information that is feedback from UE 1402, BS 1401 can provide more accurate MCS level assignment (i.e. QAM see [0034] wherein QAM (i.e. using QAM modulation scheme data is transmitted on time and frequency resources).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
The 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) 2 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hwang et al. (US Pub. No. 2017/0134150 A1) in view of Zhang et al. (EP 4462703 A1).
Regarding claim 2, Hwang teaches as per claim 1, but fails to state about wherein the one or more processors are further configured to transmit an indication of support for one or more interference cancelation operations associated with the interference assistance information, wherein receiving the interference assistance information is based at least in part on transmitting the indication of support; however Zhang states .. Optionally, before the network-side device provides the reporting configuration information for the interference assistance information, the method further includes: sending, by the terminal, capability information to the network-side device. The capability information includes at least one of the following: first capability indication information for supporting per-BWP interference assistance information reporting; and second capability indication information for supporting per-PRB interference assistance information reporting…; see [0109- 0112]. It would have been obvious to one with ordinary skill, in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to consider the teachings of Zhang with the teachings of Hwang to make system more effective. Having a mechanism wherein the one or more processors are further configured to transmit an indication of support for one or more interference cancelation operations associated with the interference assistance information, wherein receiving the interference assistance information is based at least in part on transmitting the indication of support; greater way resources can be managed/utilized in the communication system to carry our reliable communication.
Claim(s) 3, 29 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hwang et al. (US Pub. No. 2017/0134150 A1) in view of Balasubramanian et al. (US Pub. No. 2021/0235461 A1), hereafter Bala.
Regarding claim 3, Hwang teaches as per claim 1, but fails to state about wherein the one or more processors, to receive the interference assistance information and transmitting the interference assistance feedback, are configured to:
receive the interference assistance information per slot of communication resources;
transmit the interference assistance feedback per slot of communication resources; or
transmit the interference assistance feedback with a periodicity that is greater than one slot; however Bala states .. as per Fig. 7 #720 and [0111] regarding .. the WCD1 702 a may transmit the interference assistance information in one or more RBs separate from the RBs allocated for the SCI within the slot(s) allocated for the superposition transmission; further refer to [0104] regarding slot based scheduling. It would have been obvious to one with ordinary skill, in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to consider the teachings of Bala with the teachings of Hwang to make system more standardized.
Regarding claim 29, Hwang teaches as per claim 28, but fails to state about wherein receiving the interference assistance information and transmitting the interference assistance feedback comprises one or more of:
receiving the interference assistance information per slot of communication resources;
transmitting the interference assistance feedback per slot of communication resources; or
transmitting the interference assistance feedback with a periodicity that is greater than one slot; however Bala states .. as per Fig. 7 #720 and [0111] regarding .. the WCD1 702 a may transmit the interference assistance information in one or more RBs separate from the RBs allocated for the SCI within the slot(s) allocated for the superposition transmission; further refer to [0104] regarding slot based scheduling. It would have been obvious to one with ordinary skill, in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to consider the teachings of Bala with the teachings of Hwang to make system more standardized.
Claim(s) 4 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hwang et al. (US Pub. No. 2017/0134150 A1) in view of Balasubramanian et al. (US Pub. No. 2021/0235461 A1), hereafter Bala and in further view of Nam et al. (US Pub. No. 2014/0126402 A1).
Regarding claim 4, Hwang in view of Bala teaches as per claim 3, but Hwang fails to state about wherein the one or more processors, to transmit the interference assistance feedback, are configured to: transmit a first interference assistance feedback per slot of communication resources; and transmit a second interference assistance feedback with a periodicity that is greater than one slot, wherein the second interference assistance feedback includes information associated with multiple slots of communication resources and information associated with interference with the multiple slots of communication resources; however Nam states in [0103] about among feedback modes supporting subband CQI feedback (e.g., PUSCH mode 2-0, 2-2, 3-0, 3-1, and 3-2; and PUCCH mode 2-0 and 2-1), restricted interference measurement applies for a first set of feedback modes; and non-restricted interference measurement applies for a second set of feedback modes. For example, for feedback modes associated with UE-selected subband CQI (e.g., PUSCH mode 2-0, 2-2; and PUCCH mode 2-0 and 2-1), the UE applies non-restricted interference measurement. On the other hand, for feedback modes associated with higher-layer configured CQI (i.e., PUSCH mode 3-0, 3-1, and 3-2), restricted interference measurement applies. In another example, for feedback modes associated with periodic CSI (i.e. PUCCH mode 2-0 and 2-1), the UE applies non-restricted interference measurement. On the other hand, for feedback modes associated with aperiodic CSI (i.e., PUSCH mode 2-20, 2-2, 3-0, 3-1, and 3-2), restricted interference measurement applies; further see [0104]… a UE is configured to report first and second CSI reports. The UE is further configured to perform restricted interference measurement for the first CSI feedback and unrestricted interference measurement for the second CSI feedback. In another embodiment, the restriction applies only in the time domain. When the interference measurement is restricted, the UE measures interference across the full DL bandwidth in the designated subframes only. In another example, the restriction applies only in the frequency domain. When the interference measurement is restricted, the UE measures interference within the subband(s) without time restriction. In another alternative, the restriction applies both in the time and frequency domains. When the restriction applies, the UE measures interference within the subband(s) in the designated subframes. It would have been obvious to one with ordinary skill, in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to consider the teachings of Nam with the teachings of Hwang in view of Bala to make system more standardized.
Claim(s) 11 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hwang et al. (US Pub. No. 2017/0134150 A1) in view of Vermani et al. (US Pub. No. 2015/0071272 A1).
Regarding claim 11, Hwang teaches as per claim 10, but fails to state about wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: transmit, before receiving the communication, an acknowledgment of the indication of associated with the MU-MIMO group; however Vermani states in [0022] regarding … feedback information 113 (e.g., channel state information) received from one or more stations within range of the first device 110. The feedback information 113 may be used by a beamforming module 114 to derive a precoding matrix and to precode a MU-MIMO packet (or portions thereof) using the precoding matrix prior to sending the MU-MIMO packet to a group of stations. It would have been obvious to one with ordinary skill, in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to consider the teachings of Vermani with the teachings of Hwang to make system more standardized.
Claim(s) 12- 14, 31 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hwang et al. (US Pub. No. 2017/0134150 A1) in view of Cao et al. (US Pub. No. 2021/0376888 A1).
Regarding claim 12, Hwang teaches as per claim 1, but fails to state about wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: receive downlink control information (DCI) that indicates the interference assistance information associated with the MU-MIMO group; however Cao states in [0311] regarding … DMRS configurations of all user equipment in the MU-MIMO transmission group are scrambled with the group common identifier MU-PDCCH RNTI. This scrambling scheme may be referred to as “one stage scrambling scheme”. Each user equipment may obtain DMRS configuration of the whole group by decoding GC-PDCCH with MU-PDCCH RNTI, and decode UE-specific PDCCH by performing interference removing based on different interference DMRS assumptions. That is, the user equipment knows not only its DMRS configuration, but also DMRS configuration of the interference UE. Therefore, the first schematic scheme is equivalent to the “non-transparent” MU-MIMO transmission of the control channel.. It would have been obvious to one with ordinary skill, in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to consider the teachings of Cao with the teachings of Hwang to make system more effective. Having a mechanism wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: receive downlink control information (DCI) that indicates the interference assistance information associated with the MU-MIMO group; greater way resources can be managed/utilized in the communication system.
Regarding claim 13, Hwang in view of Cao teaches as per claim 12, wherein the DCI comprises one or more of: interference assistance information associated with the MU-MIMO group, or interference assistance information associated with an additional MU-MIMO group; already described above in claim 12 see Cao.
Regarding claim 14, Hwang in view of Cao teaches as per claim 12, wherein the DCI is comprised in a single DCI message or multiple DCI messages; already described above in claim 12 see Cao.
Regarding claim 31, Hwang teaches as per claim 1, but Hwang is silent about wherein the interference assistance information comprises a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) bitmap indicating, for UEs in the MU- MIMO group, DMRSs that are to be used by each UE for interference cancellation or suppression; however Cao teaches in [0219] … another schematic implementation, the usage configuration information may be bitmap information. For example, the used DMRS port is indicated as 1 in a bitmap, and the unused DMRS port is indicated as 0 in the bitmap. The usage configuration information may be included in UE-specific DCI and transmitted to the user equipment, and thus the DMRS configuration determination module 1522 at the UE side can acquire the bitmap information by decoding the DCI from the base station, and determine a DMRS port corresponding to the TCI state indicated as “1” in the bitmap information as the interference DMRS port. Therefore, the user equipment can perform corresponding interference removing and data demodulation, thereby implementing the “non-transparent” MU-MIMO transmission using the TCI mechanism. It would have been obvious to one with ordinary skill, in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to consider the teachings of Cao with the teachings of Hwang to make system more reliable. Having a mechanism wherein the interference assistance information comprises a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) bitmap indicating, for UEs in the MU- MIMO group, DMRSs that are to be used by each UE for interference cancellation or suppression; greater way interference free communication can be carried out in the communication system.
Claim(s) 6, 15, 18- 19, 21- 23 and 30 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hwang et al. (US Pub. No. 2017/0134150 A1) in view of Reial et al. (US Pub. No. 2022/0304004 A1).
Regarding claim 6, Hwang teaches as per claim 5, wherein the one or more processors, to receive the additional communication, are configured to: receive the additional communication via an additional set of time and frequency resources associated with an additional MU-MIMO group that is different from the MU-MIMO group; see [0059].. The data transmission may be associated with MU-MIMO, NOMA, SU-MIMO or any other transmission schemes…. Fig. 13 #1313 TB1 via PDSCH and TB2 VIA PDCSH; but Hwang fails to explicitly state about the second MU-MIMO grp; however Reial in context with Fig. 1, #110, 120, 131, 140 and 150; refer to claim 35 and claim 30 regarding sending using a set of time-frequency resources of second MU-MIMO grp; further see [0082]. It would have been obvious to one with ordinary skill, in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to consider the teachings of Reial with the teachings of Hwang to make system more standardized.
Regarding claim 15, Hwang teaches a network node for wireless communication, comprising: one or more memories; and one or more processors, coupled to the one or more memories (see Figs. 13- 14 network node as BS), configured to:
transmit, to user equipments (UEs) of a first multiple user (MU)-multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) group, interference assistance information associated with interference cancelation or suppression for one or more communications (see Fig. 13 and [0059] wherein UEs can be UE#1 and UE#2… a sequence flow between a base station and two UEs where the base station broadcasts assistance information for CWIC. In step 1311, a serving base station BS 1301 schedules a first UE#1 for data transmission. The data transmission may be associated with MU-MIMO, NOMA, SU-MIMO or any other transmission schemes. In step 1312, the BS broadcasts assistance information to all base stations and UEs including UE#2 over certain predefined time-frequency resource (i.e. of first MU-MIMO grp) such that all base stations and UEs within the cell coverage can receive the assistance information.);
receive, from a UE of the MU-MIMO group, interference assistance feedback that indicates one or more parameters of interference cancelation or suppression based at least in part on the interference assistance information (see [0024] and Fig. 4.. a sequence flow between a base station and two UEs where the UEs provide additional feedback information for MCS level assignment; further see [0062- 0063]); and
transmit, to the UE and based at least in part on the interference assistance feedback, a communication within a set of time and frequency resources associated with a second MU-MIMO group (see [0063].. …. UE 1402 reports additional feedback information of CQI_lack_self.sub.2 indicator and HARQ_ACK_interference.sub.2 indicator. Based on the additional information that is feedback from UE 1402, BS 1401 can provide more accurate MCS level assignment (i.e. more accurate MCS level assignment compare to previous ones (i.e. previous MCS which was associated with previous MU-MIMO grp) i.e. QAM see [0034] wherein QAM (i.e. using QAM modulation scheme data is transmitted on time and frequency resources (i.e. of more accurate time and frequency resources))). But Hwang fails to explicitly state about the second MU-MIMO grp; however Reial in context with Fig. 1, #110, 120, 131, 140 and 150; refer to claim 35 and claim 30 regarding sending using a set of time-frequency resources of second MU-MIMO grp; further see [0082]. It would have been obvious to one with ordinary skill, in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to consider the teachings of Reial with the teachings of Hwang to make system more standardized.
Regarding claim 18, Hwang in view of Reial teaches as per claim 15, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: transmit, before receiving the interference assistance feedback, an additional communication based at least in part on the interference assistance information; Hwang see [0059].. see Fig. 13, #1312, 1313.
Regarding claim 19, Hwang in view of Reial teaches as per claim 18, wherein the one or more processors, to transmit the additional communication, are configured to: transmit the additional communication via an additional set of time and frequency resources associated with the first MU-MIMO group; see [0059].. The data transmission may be associated with MU-MIMO, NOMA, SU-MIMO or any other transmission schemes…. Hwang Fig. 13 #1313.
Regarding claim 21, Hwang in view of Reial teaches as per claim 15, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: transmit, based at least in part on receiving the interference assistance feedback, additional interference assistance information associated with interference cancelation or suppression for the communication; Hwang see [0063]... UE 1402 reports additional feedback information, including CQI_lack_self.sub.1 indicator and HARQ_ACK_interference.sub.1 indicator. These two additional indicators provide more detailed information about the channel quality and interference condition of the first TB transmission with respect to the decoding of the desired transport block. Next, in step 1431, BS 1401 determines MCS and transmits the TB for the second time. In step 1432, UE 1402 reports HARQ_ACK_self.sub.2 indicator to BS 1401. Under the situation when HARQ_ACK_self.sub.2=NACK, then in step 1433, UE 1402 reports additional feedback information of CQI_lack_self.sub.2 indicator and HARQ_ACK_interference.sub.2 indicator. Based on the additional information that is feedback from UE 1402, BS 1401 can provide more accurate MCS level assignment.
Regarding claim 22, Hwang in view of Reial teaches as per claim 15, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
receive an indication of a receiver type of the UE, or
transmit a configuration of an operating mode for communication with the network node; Hwang see [0059] …step 1311, a serving base station BS 1301 schedules a first UE#1 for data transmission. The data transmission may be associated with MU-MIMO, NOMA, SU-MIMO or any other transmission schemes.
Regarding claim 23, Hwang in view of Reial teaches as per claim 15, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: transmit an indication of association with the second MU-MIMO group; Hwang see [0059], #1312.
Regarding claim 30, Hwang teaches a method of wireless communication performed by a network node, comprising (see Figs. 13- 14 network node as BS):
transmitting, to user equipments (UEs) of a first multiple user (MU)-multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) group, interference assistance information associated with interference cancelation or suppression for one or more communications (see Fig. 13 and [0059] wherein UEs can be UE#1 and UE#2… a sequence flow between a base station and two UEs where the base station broadcasts assistance information for CWIC. In step 1311, a serving base station BS 1301 schedules a first UE#1 for data transmission. The data transmission may be associated with MU-MIMO, NOMA, SU-MIMO or any other transmission schemes. In step 1312, the BS broadcasts assistance information to all base stations and UEs including UE#2 over certain predefined time-frequency resource (i.e. of first MU-MIMO grp) such that all base stations and UEs within the cell coverage can receive the assistance information.);
receiving, from a UE of the MU-MIMO group, interference assistance feedback that indicates one or more parameters of interference cancelation or suppression based at least in part on the interference assistance information (see [0024] and Fig. 4.. a sequence flow between a base station and two UEs where the UEs provide additional feedback information for MCS level assignment; further see [0062- 0063]); and
transmitting, to the UE and based at least in part on the interference assistance feedback, a communication within a set of time and frequency resources associated with a second MU-MIMO group (see [0063].. …. UE 1402 reports additional feedback information of CQI_lack_self.sub.2 indicator and HARQ_ACK_interference.sub.2 indicator. Based on the additional information that is feedback from UE 1402, BS 1401 can provide more accurate MCS level assignment (i.e. more accurate MCS level assignment compare to previous ones (i.e. previous MCS which was associated with previous MU-MIMO grp) i.e. QAM see [0034] wherein QAM (i.e. using QAM modulation scheme data is transmitted on time and frequency resources (i.e. of more accurate time and frequency resources))). But Hwang fails to explicitly state about the second MU-MIMO grp; however Reial in context with Fig. 1, #110, 120, 131, 140 and 150; refer to claim 35 and claim 30 regarding sending using a set of time-frequency resources of second MU-MIMO grp; further see [0082]. It would have been obvious to one with ordinary skill, in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to consider the teachings of Reial with the teachings of Hwang to make system more standardized.
Claim(s) 16 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hwang et al. (US Pub. No. 2017/0134150 A1) in view of Reial et al. (US Pub. No. 2022/0304004 A1) and further in view of Zhang et al. (EP 4462703 A1).
Regarding claim 16, Hwang in view of Reial teaches as per claim 15, but Hwang fails to state about wherein the one or more processors are further configured to receive an indication of support for one or more interference cancelation operations associated with the interference assistance information, wherein transmitting the interference assistance information is based at least in part on transmitting the indication of support; however Zhang states .. Optionally, before the network-side device provides the reporting configuration information for the interference assistance information, the method further includes: sending, by the terminal, capability information to the network-side device. The capability information includes at least one of the following: first capability indication information for supporting per-BWP interference assistance information reporting; and second capability indication information for supporting per-PRB interference assistance information reporting…; see [0109- 0112]. It would have been obvious to one with ordinary skill, in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to consider the teachings of Zhang with the teachings of Hwang in view of Reial to make system more effective. Having a mechanism wherein the one or more processors are further configured to receive an indication of support for one or more interference cancelation operations associated with the interference assistance information, wherein transmitting the interference assistance information is based at least in part on transmitting the indication of support; greater way resources can be managed/utilized in the communication system to carry our reliable communication.
Claim(s) 17 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hwang et al. (US Pub. No. 2017/0134150 A1) in view of Reial et al. (US Pub. No. 2022/0304004 A1) and further in view of Balasubramanian et al. (US Pub. No. 2021/0235461 A1), hereafter Bala.
Regarding claim 17, Hwang in view of Reial teaches as per claim 1, but Hwang fails to state about wherein the one or more processors, to transmit the interference assistance information and receiving the interference assistance feedback, are configured to: transmit the interference assistance information per slot of communication resources; receive the interference assistance feedback per slot of communication resources; or receive the interference assistance feedback with a periodicity that is greater than one slot; however Bala states .. as per Fig. 7 #720 and [0111] regarding .. the WCD1 702 a may transmit the interference assistance information in one or more RBs separate from the RBs allocated for the SCI within the slot(s) allocated for the superposition transmission; further refer to [0104] regarding slot based scheduling. It would have been obvious to one with ordinary skill, in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to consider the teachings of Bala with the teachings of Hwang in view of Reial to make system more standardized.
Claim(s) 20 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hwang et al. (US Pub. No. 2017/0134150 A1) in view of Reial et al. (US Pub. No. 2022/0304004 A1) and further in view of Merlin et al. (US Pub. No. 2015/0124690 A1).
Regarding claim 20, Hwang in view of Reial teaches as per claim 1, but Hwang fails to state about wherein the communication comprises a groupcast message associated with the second MU-MIMO group; however Merlin states .. as per Fig. 17 and [0171] regarding a groupcast message associated with the MU-MIMO group. It would have been obvious to one with ordinary skill, in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to consider the teachings of Merlin with the teachings of Hwang in view of Reial to make system more standardized.
Claim(s) 24 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hwang et al. (US Pub. No. 2017/0134150 A1) in view of Reial et al. (US Pub. No. 2022/0304004 A1) in view of Vermani et al. (US Pub. No. 2015/0071272 A1).
Regarding claim 24, Hwang in view of Reial teaches as per claim 23, but Hwang fails to state about wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: receive, before transmitting the communication, an acknowledgment of the indication of associated with the second MU-MIMO group; however Vermani states in [0022] regarding … feedback information 113 (e.g., channel state information) received from one or more stations within range of the first device 110. The feedback information 113 may be used by a beamforming module 114 to derive a precoding matrix and to precode a MU-MIMO packet (or portions thereof) using the precoding matrix prior to sending the MU-MIMO packet to a group of stations. It would have been obvious to one with ordinary skill, in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to consider the teachings of Vermani with the teachings of Hwang to make system more standardized.
Claim(s) 25- 26 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hwang et al. (US Pub. No. 2017/0134150 A1) in view of Reial et al. (US Pub. No. 2022/0304004 A1) in view of Cao et al. (US Pub. No. 2021/0376888 A1).
Regarding claim 25, Hwang in view of Reial teaches as per claim 15, but Hwang fails to state about transmit downlink control information (DCI) that indicates the interference assistance information associated with the MU-MIMO group; however Cao states in [0311] regarding … DMRS configurations of all user equipment in the MU-MIMO transmission group are scrambled with the group common identifier MU-PDCCH RNTI. This scrambling scheme may be referred to as “one stage scrambling scheme”. Each user equipment may obtain DMRS configuration of the whole group by decoding GC-PDCCH with MU-PDCCH RNTI, and decode UE-specific PDCCH by performing interference removing based on different interference DMRS assumptions. That is, the user equipment knows not only its DMRS configuration, but also DMRS configuration of the interference UE. Therefore, the first schematic scheme is equivalent to the “non-transparent” MU-MIMO transmission of the control channel.. It would have been obvious to one with ordinary skill, in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to consider the teachings of Cao with the teachings of Hwang in view of Reial to make system more effective. Having a mechanism wherein transmit downlink control information (DCI) that indicates the interference assistance information associated with the MU-MIMO group; greater way resources can be managed/utilized in the communication system.
Regarding claim 26, Hwang in view of Reial and Cao teaches as per claim 25, wherein the DCI comprises one or more of: interference assistance information associated with the MU-MIMO group, or interference assistance information associated with an additional MU-MIMO group; already described above in claim 12 see Cao.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Please see PTO-892 form for considered prior arts for record.
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PARTH PATEL
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 2479
/PARTH PATEL/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2479
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