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 .
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement submitted on 12/22/2023 and 05/31/2024, have been considered by the examiner and made of record in the application file.
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.
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 non-obviousness.
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.
Claims 1-20 are rejected under U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable by Khoryaev et al. (US 20160095080 A1, hereinafter Khoryaev) in view of HOAGN et al. (WO 2022212533 A1, hereinafter HOAGN).
Consider Claim 1, Khoryaev discloses a user equipment (UE) comprising:
a transceiver configured to receive first sidelink (SL) positioning reference signals (PRSs) from M1 UEs, respectively, where M1>= 2; and (paragraph 0036, UEs 210-214 may include radio interfaces that allow UEs 210-214 to connect, via direct wireless connections, to one another. for example, UEs 210-214 may each include a first radio transceiver to connect to a cellular access network).
a processor operably coupled to the transceiver, the processor configured to:
determine positioning metrics based on the first SL PRSs, and determine a first report, wherein the first report includes: (Paragraph 0015, User Equipment (UE) may include processing circuitry to: connect with a cellular network via a radio interface; connect with one or more other UEs, using the radio interface, to form a direct connection with the other UEs; receive, via the direct connection with the other UEs, first positioning reference signals from which first timing information, relating distances between the UE and other UEs, is derivable; determine, based on the first positioning reference signals, first position metrics that relate to a position of the UE with respect to the other UEs).
Khoryaev discloses the claimed invention the positioning metrics corresponding to M2 UEs, respectively, from the M1 UEs, time-stamps associated with the positioning metrics, (paragraph 0016, the first position metrics may include one or more of: positioning reference signal time of arrival; differences in time of arrival between positioning reference signals; differences in time of arrival between a positioning reference signal and a reference clock; positioning reference signal received power), but fails to teach respectively, and identities (IDs) of the M2 UEs, respectively, wherein the transceiver is further configured to transmit the first report to a third UE or one of the M1 UEs.
However, HOAGN teaches (paragraph 0202, The WTRU may forward the sidelink measurement report for another WTRU. In one solution, for WTRU assisted positioning service, a WTRU (e.g., target WTRU) may receive sidelink positioning measurement report from another WTRU. The WTRU may then determine to forward the measurement report to the network. The WTRU may further indicate one or any combination of the following parameters in the sidelink measurement reporting message: the reporting WTRU ID, the location of the WTRU, and the group ID).
Consider Claim 2, Khoryaev discloses the claim invention but fails to teach the UE of claim 1, wherein: the transceiver is further configured to transmit a second report to the third UE or one of the M1UEs, and the second report includes location information of the UE.
However, HOAGN teaches (Paragraph 0151, the WTRU may trigger measurement reporting upon successfully receive ACK feedback from the peer WTRU for the SL-PRS transmission at 740. For example, the WTRU may be (preconfigured to perform sidelink positioning measurement reporting after performing minimum and/or maximum number of SL-PRS. The WTRU may then trigger sidelink positioning measurement reporting if the number the measured SL-PRS satisfies the (pre-)configured threshold(s). Paragraph 0202, The WTRU may further indicate one or any combination of the following parameters in the sidelink measurement reporting message: the reporting WTRU ID, the location of the WTRU, and the group ID).
Consider Claim 3, Khoryaev discloses the UE of claim 2, wherein the second report includes a quality metric indicating an accuracy of the location information. (Paragraph, 0018, the first position metrics may include one or more of: positioning reference signal time of arrival; differences in time of arrival between positioning reference signals; differences in time of arrival between a positioning reference signal and a reference clock; positioning reference signal received power; positioning reference signal received quality; timing estimation accuracy indicators; location information; or timing information sufficient for solution of location equations).
Consider Claim 4, Khoryaev discloses the UE of claim 1, wherein a positioning metric from the positioning metrics is a reference signal time difference (RSTD) between two SL PRSs from two of the M2 UEs. (Paragraph 0056, Target UE 310 may use the received positioning reference signals (and its synchronized clock) to determine the signal arrival time differences, called the Reference Signal Timing Differences (RSTDs), between the positioning reference signals from the different transmitting devices).
Consider Claim 5, Khoryaev discloses the claim invention but fails to teach the UE of claim 1, wherein, when one of the first SL PRSs of one of the M1 UEs has a quality metric higher than or equal to a threshold, a positioning metric, corresponding to the one M1UE, from the positioning metrics is included in the first report.
However, teaches (paragraph 0193, the WTRU may report positioning measurements of the resources having SL-RSRP being greater than a threshold. The threshold may be (pre-)configured by the network or indicated from the SL-PRs transmission WTRU).
Consider Claim 6, Khoryaev discloses the claim invention the UE of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to determine resources based on sensing, and the first report is transmitted based on the resources. (Paragraph 0055, control signaling may be transmitted or broadcast to UEs 210-214 to configure the UEs to use particular spectrum resources. Paragraph 0064, include reporting the position metrics to the location server).
In addition, HOAGN teaches (paragraph 0052, for CSMA/CA, the STAs (e.g., every STA), including the AP, may sense the primary channel. Paragraph 0120, the configuration may include one or more of the type of report (e.g., periodic report or aperiodic report)).
Consider Claim 7, Khoryaev discloses the UE of claim 1, wherein:
the transceiver is further configured to receive a configuration indicating resources, and the first report is transmitted based on the resources. (Paragraph, 0018, the first position metrics may include one or more of: positioning reference signal time of arrival; differences in time of arrival between positioning reference signals; differences in time of arrival between a positioning reference signal and a reference clock; positioning reference signal received power; positioning reference signal received quality; timing estimation accuracy indicators; location information; or timing information sufficient for solution of location equations).
Consider Claim 8, Khoryaev discloses the claim invention the UE of claim 1, wherein: the transceiver is further configured to receive a configuration indicating resources, and transmit a second report based on the resources, and the second report includes location information of the UE. (Paragraph 0055, control signaling may be transmitted or broadcast to UEs 210-214 to configure the UEs to use particular spectrum resources for the positioning reference signals and/or to use particular timing parameters. Paragraph 0064, include reporting the position metrics to the location server (block 640)).
However, HOAGN also teaches (paragraph 0120, he configuration may include one or more of the type of report (e.g., periodic report or aperiodic report). Paragraph 0202, The WTRU may further indicate one or any combination of the following parameters in the sidelink measurement reporting message: the reporting WTRU ID, the location of the WTRU, and the group ID).
Consider Claim 9, Khoryaev discloses the UE of claim 1, wherein: the transceiver is further configured to:
receive a second SL PRS from a fourth UE, and receive, from the fourth UE, a second report, and the second report includes: (Paragraph 0015, User Equipment (UE) may include processing circuitry to: connect with a cellular network via a radio interface; connect with one or more other UEs, using the radio interface, to form a direct connection with the other UEs; receive, via the direct connection with the other UEs, first positioning reference signals from which first timing information, relating distances between the UE and other UEs, is derivable. Paragraph 0064, include reporting the position metrics to the location server (block 640)).
one or more second positioning metrics corresponding to M3 UEs, respectively, where M3>=1,one or more second time-stamps associated with the one or more second positioning metrics, respectively, and one or more second IDs of the M3 UEs, respectively. (Paragraph, 0018, the first position metrics may include one or more of: positioning reference signal time of arrival; differences in time of arrival between positioning reference signals; differences in time of arrival between a positioning reference signal and a reference clock. or timing information sufficient for solution of location equations).
Consider Claim10, Khoryaev discloses a base station (BS), comprising:
a processor; and a transceiver operably coupled to the processor, the transceiver configured to: (Paragraph 0036, UEs 210-214 may include radio interfaces that allow UEs 210-214 to connect, via direct wireless connections, to one another. for example, UEs 210-214 may each include a first radio transceiver to connect to a cellular access network).
transmit a configuration indicating resources, and receive a report via the resources, wherein the report includes: (Paragraph 0015, User Equipment (UE) may include processing circuitry to: connect with a cellular network via a radio interface; connect with one or more other UEs, using the radio interface, to form a direct connection with the other UEs; receive, via the direct connection with the other UEs, first positioning reference signals from which first timing information, relating distances between the UE and other UEs, is derivable; determine, based on the first positioning reference signals, first position metrics that relate to a position of the UE with respect to the other UEs).
positioning metrics corresponding to M user equipments (UEs), respectively, where M>=1, time-stamps associated with the positioning metrics, respectively, and identities (IDs) of the M UEs, respectively. (Paragraph 0016, the first position metrics may include one or more of: positioning reference signal time of arrival; differences in time of arrival between positioning reference signals; differences in time of arrival between a positioning reference signal and a reference clock; positioning reference signal received power).
Consider Claim 11, Khoryaev discloses the claim invention the BS of claim 10, wherein: the transceiver is further configured to receive a configuration indicating resources, and transmit a second report via the resources, and the second report includes location information of a UE. (Paragraph 0055, control signaling may be transmitted or broadcast to UEs 210-214 to configure the UEs to use particular spectrum resources. Paragraph 0064, include reporting the position metrics to the location server).
In addition, HOAGN teaches (paragraph 0120, the configuration may include one or more of the type of report (e.g., periodic report or aperiodic report). Paragraph 0202, the WTRU may further indicate one or any combination of the following parameters in the sidelink measurement reporting message: the reporting WTRU ID, the location of the WTRU, and the group ID).
Consider Claim 12, Khoryaev discloses a method of operating a user equipment (UE), the method comprising:
receiving first sidelink (SL) positioning reference signals (PRSs) from M1 UEs, respectively, where M1>= 2; determining positioning metrics based on the first SL PRSs; (Paragraph 0015, to form a direct connection with the other UEs; receive, via the direct connection with the other UEs, first positioning reference signals from which first timing information, relating distances between the UE and other UEs, is derivable; determine, based on the first positioning reference signals, first position metrics that relate to a position of the UE with respect to the other UEs).
determining a first report, wherein the first report includes: (Paragraph 0015, User Equipment (UE) may include processing circuitry to: connect with a cellular network via a radio interface; connect with one or more other UEs, using the radio interface, to form a direct connection with the other UEs; receive, via the direct connection with the other UEs, first positioning reference signals from which first timing information, relating distances between the UE and other UEs, is derivable; determine, based on the first positioning reference signals, first position metrics that relate to a position of the UE with respect to the other UEs).
Khoryaev discloses the claimed invention the positioning metrics corresponding to M2 UEs, respectively, from the M1 UEs, time-stamps associated with the positioning metrics, (paragraph 0016, the first position metrics may include one or more of: positioning reference signal time of arrival; differences in time of arrival between positioning reference signals; differences in time of arrival between a positioning reference signal and a reference clock; positioning reference signal received power), but fails to teach respectively, and identities (IDs) of the M2 UEs, respectively, wherein the transceiver is further configured to transmit the first report to a third UE or one of the M1 UEs.
However, HOAGN teaches (paragraph 0202, The WTRU may forward the sidelink measurement report for another WTRU. In one solution, for WTRU assisted positioning service, a WTRU (e.g., target WTRU) may receive sidelink positioning measurement report from another WTRU. The WTRU may then determine to forward the measurement report to the network. The WTRU may further indicate one or any combination of the following parameters in the sidelink measurement reporting message: the reporting WTRU ID, the location of the WTRU, and the group ID).
Consider Claim 13, Khoryaev discloses the claim invention but fails to teach the method of claim 12, further comprising: transmitting a second report to the third UE or one of the M1 UEs, wherein the second report includes location information of the UE.
However, HOAGN teaches (Paragraph 0151, the WTRU may trigger measurement reporting upon successfully receive ACK feedback from the peer WTRU for the SL-PRS transmission at 740. For example, the WTRU may be (preconfigured to perform sidelink positioning measurement reporting after performing minimum and/or maximum number of SL-PRS. The WTRU may then trigger sidelink positioning measurement reporting if the number the measured SL-PRS satisfies the (pre-)configured threshold(s). Paragraph 0202, The WTRU may further indicate one or any combination of the following parameters in the sidelink measurement reporting message: the reporting WTRU ID, the location of the WTRU, and the group ID).
Consider Claim 14, Khoryaev discloses the method of claim 13, wherein the second report includes a quality metric indicating an accuracy of the location information. (Paragraph, 0018, the first position metrics may include one or more of: positioning reference signal time of arrival; differences in time of arrival between positioning reference signals; differences in time of arrival between a positioning reference signal and a reference clock; positioning reference signal received power; positioning reference signal received quality; timing estimation accuracy indicators; location information; or timing information sufficient for solution of location equations).
Consider Claim 15, Khoryaev discloses the method of claim 12, wherein a positioning metric from the positioning metrics is a reference signal time difference (RSTD) between two SL PRSs from two of the M2 UEs. (Paragraph 0015, User Equipment (UE) may include processing circuitry to: connect with a cellular network via a radio interface; connect with one or more other UEs, using the radio interface, to form a direct connection with the other UEs; receive, via the direct connection with the other UEs, first positioning reference signals from which first timing information, relating distances between the UE and other UEs, is derivable; determine, based on the first positioning reference signals, first position metrics that relate to a position of the UE with respect to the other UEs. Paragraph 0064, the reported position metrics may include, for example, the RSTDs and positioning reference signal received power, for each UE (e.g., assisting or anchor UEs) and for each neighboring eNB).
Consider Claim 16, Khoryaev discloses the claim invention but fails to teach the UE of claim 12, wherein, when one of the first SL PRSs of one of the M1 UEs has a quality metric higher than or equal to a threshold, a positioning metric, corresponding to the one M1UE, from the positioning metrics is included in the first report.
However, HOAGN teaches (paragraph 0193, the WTRU may report positioning measurements of the resources having SL-RSRP being greater than a threshold. The threshold may be (pre-)configured by the network or indicated from the SL-PRs transmission WTRU).
Consider Claim 17, Khoryaev discloses the method of claim 12, further comprising:
determining resources based on sensing, wherein the first report is transmitted based on the resources. (Paragraph 0055, control signaling may be transmitted or broadcast to UEs 210-214 to configure the UEs to use particular spectrum resources. Paragraph 0064, include reporting the position metrics to the location server).
Consider Claim 18, Khoryaev discloses the claim invention the UE of claim 12, wherein: the transceiver is further configured to receive a configuration indicating resources, and transmit a second report based on the resources, and the second report includes location information of the UE. (Paragraph 0055, control signaling may be transmitted or broadcast to UEs 210-214 to configure the UEs to use particular spectrum resources for the positioning reference signals and/or to use particular timing parameters. Paragraph 0064, include reporting the position metrics to the location server (block 640)).
In addition, HOAGN also teaches (paragraph 0120, he configuration may include one or more of the type of report (e.g., periodic report or aperiodic report). Paragraph 0202, The WTRU may further indicate one or any combination of the following parameters in the sidelink measurement reporting message: the reporting WTRU ID, the location of the WTRU, and the group ID).
Consider Claim 19, Khoryaev discloses the claim invention the UE of claim 12, wherein: the transceiver is further configured to receive a configuration indicating resources, and transmit a second report based on the resources, and the second report includes location information of the UE. (Paragraph 0055, control signaling may be transmitted or broadcast to UEs 210-214 to configure the UEs to use particular spectrum resources for the positioning reference signals and/or to use particular timing parameters. Paragraph 0064, include reporting the position metrics to the location server (block 640)).
In addition, HOAGN also teaches (paragraph 0120, he configuration may include one or more of the type of report (e.g., periodic report or aperiodic report). Paragraph 0202, The WTRU may further indicate one or any combination of the following parameters in the sidelink measurement reporting message: the reporting WTRU ID, the location of the WTRU, and the group ID).
Therefore, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which said subject matter pertains, to modify Claims 1, 10 and 12 by incorporating the teachings of Khoryaev processing circuitry for determining position of mobile devices implemented by user equipment with the method involving configuring a wireless transmit and receive unit (WTRU) with a sidelink positioning service of HOAGN. The motivation to do so would be to develop an expanded and improved wireless communication system where the UE provides for determination of the position of mobile devices based on information communicated through device-to-device communication to obtain additional measurements of position metrics that can be used to determine relative or absolute positions of the mobile devices. Allowing the target WTRU to determine whether to request SL-PRS transmission from one or multiple anchor WTRUs based on positioning quality of service (QoS) requirements in an efficient manner, thus enhancing the functions and performances of the 5G mobile communication systems and integrated operations of connected devices.
Consider Claim 20, Khoryaev discloses the method of claim 12, further comprising:
receive a second SL PRS from a fourth UE, and receive, from the fourth UE, a second report, and the second report includes: (Paragraph 0015, User Equipment (UE) may include processing circuitry to: connect with a cellular network via a radio interface; connect with one or more other UEs, using the radio interface, to form a direct connection with the other UEs; receive, via the direct connection with the other UEs, first positioning reference signals from which first timing information, relating distances between the UE and other UEs, is derivable. Paragraph 0064, include reporting the position metrics to the location server (block 640)).
one or more second positioning metrics corresponding to M3 UEs, respectively, where M3>=1,one or more second time-stamps associated with the one or more second positioning metrics, respectively, and one or more second IDs of the M3 UEs, respectively. (Paragraph, 0018, the first position metrics may include one or more of: positioning reference signal time of arrival; differences in time of arrival between positioning reference signals; differences in time of arrival between a positioning reference signal and a reference clock. or timing information sufficient for solution of location equations).
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to MICHELE CAMILLE DOUGLAS whose telephone number is (571)270-0458. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday 6:30 am - 5:00 pm.
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/MICHELE C DOUGLAS/Examiner, Art Unit 2646
/MATTHEW D. ANDERSON/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2646