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 .
Priority
Acknowledgment is made of applicant’s claim for foreign priority under 35
U.S.C.119 (a)-(d). The certified copy has been filed in parent PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA patent application No. CN202110746000.6 filed on 07/01/2021. Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR1.55.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement submitted on 01/08/2025, have been considered by the examiner and made of record in the application file.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 19-20, 22-26, 28-32 and 34-36 are rejected under U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Onaka et al. (US 11743817 B2, hereinafter Onaka).
Consider Claim 19, Onaka discloses a method, applied to a terminal, the method comprising:
receiving M reference signals, wherein the M reference signals are from C cells, M and C are positive integers, and M is greater than or equal to C; and (paragraph 238, a threshold may be set to a predetermined value such that when the value of the received power or reception quality is greater than or equal to the threshold, the UE judges that it has successfully detected a cell and measured the received power or reception quality and then performs measurement report as the occurrence of an even).
sending first indication information to a network device based on a first reference signal, wherein the first indication information indicates to the network device to send a downlink common signal in a target cell, the downlink common signal is used by the terminal to access the target cell, the downlink common signal comprises system information, and the first reference signal is comprised in the M reference signals and is from the target cell. (Paragraph 85, the cell configured by a first macro eNB 1204 is a Comp cell, and the cells configured by second to fourth macro eNBs 1208 to 1210 are ES cells. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the first macro eNB 1204 configures three cells, each of which is a Comp cell. Each of the second to fourth macro eNBs 1208 to 1210 configures one cell, each of which is an ES cell. Paragraph 578, in the dormant state in which the ES cell transmits only a DS, the UE in the RRC_Idle state cannot receive the SIB or paging. (579) when detecting an ES cell by detecting and measuring a DS, the UE transmits a wake-up signal to the ES cell. Paragraph 581, the UE may transmit a wake-up signal to a cell having the highest received power or a cell having the highest reception quality when it has detected a plurality of ES cells. Paragraph 587, the ES cell in the dormant state, which has received a wake-up signal from the UE, can switch itself on to shift to the normal operation. The ES cell that has shifted to the normal operation can transmit an SIB and a paging signal to the UE within its coverage).
Consider Claim 20, Onaka discloses the method according to claim 19, wherein the first reference signal carries a local cell identity, a value of the local cell identity is an integer greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to N-1, N is a positive integer, and N is less than a maximum value of a physical cell identity. (Paragraph 76, in FIG. 7, first and second eNBs 1103 and 1104 each configure a coverage cell(physical cell). The coverage cell configured by the first eNB 1103 has a first coverage 1101. The coverage cell configured by the second eNB 1104 has a second coverage 1102. Paragraph 77, third to seventh eNBs 1105, 1106, 1107, 1108, and 1109 each configure a capacity cell(local cell). The capacity cell configured by the third eNB 1105 has a third coverage 1110. The capacity cell configured by the fourth eNB 1106 has a fourth coverage 1111. The capacity cell configured by the fifth eNB 1107 has a fifth coverage 1112. The capacity cell configured by the sixth eNB 1108 has a sixth coverage 1113. The capacity cell configured by the seventh eNB 1109 has a seventh coverage 1114. Paragraph 063, The SIB1 contains the information about the access to the cell, information about cell selection, and scheduling information on another SIB (SIBk; k is an integer greater than or equal to two)).
Consider Claim 22, Onaka discloses the method according to claim 19, wherein reference signals of at least two different cells have different frequency domain positions. (Paragraph 171, the UE performs the configuration of a Comp cell, such as a carrier frequency and a cell identifier, received in the message for measurement or stores the information on the previously detected cells, at the occurrence of an RLF. The UE uses the configuration of a Comp cell, such as the stored carrier frequency and cell identifier, or the information on the previously detected cells to perform stored information cell selection for RRC connection reestablishment).
Consider Claim 23, Onaka discloses the method according to claim 19, wherein the first reference signal further carries a time domain offset, and the time domain offset indicates an offset between a time domain position of the first reference signal and a time domain position of the first indication information. (Paragraph 370, the ES cell decides, in accordance with the criterion for deciding the priority of a UE that has received a HO request, the priority of the UE and sets a backoff time in PRACH retransmission in accordance with the priority of the UE. The UE for which a backoff time has been set delays the PRACH retransmission by a predetermined period in accordance with the set value of the backoff time. The backoff time may be set using the existing parameter “Backoff Parameter values” of the RAR).
Consider Claim 24, Onaka discloses the method according to claim 19, wherein a predefined time domain offset is between a time domain position of the first reference signal and a time domain position of the first indication information. (Paragraph 373, The ES cell may notify the Comp cell of the backoff time set value together with a HO request response message in response to the previously received HO request message or by including the backoff time in the HO request response message. The Comp cell that has received the backoff time set value in the HO request response message may notify the UE of the backoff time set value together with a HO command message or by including the backoff time set value in the HO command message).
Consider Claim 25, Onaka discloses an apparatus, comprising:
one or more processors configured to run instructions stored in a memory, execution of the instructions enabling the apparatus to: (paragraph 511, When a relatively short measurement period is configured in accordance with the portion where a coverage hole is present, the amount of information stored in the memory for MDT may conceivably reach the storage capacity of the memory in a short period of time).
receive M reference signals, wherein the M reference signals are from C cells, M and C are positive integers, and M is greater than or equal to C; and (paragraph 238, a threshold may be set to a predetermined value such that when the value of the received power or reception quality is greater than or equal to the threshold, the UE judges that it has successfully detected a cell and measured the received power or reception quality and then performs measurement report as the occurrence of an even).
send first indication information to a network device based on a first reference signal, wherein the first indication information indicates to the network device to send a downlink common signal in a target cell, the downlink common signal is used by a terminal to access the target cell, the downlink common signal comprises system information, and the first reference signal is comprised in the M reference signals and is from the target cell. (Paragraph 85, the cell configured by a first macro eNB 1204 is a Comp cell, and the cells configured by second to fourth macro eNBs 1208 to 1210 are ES cells. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the first macro eNB 1204 configures three cells, each of which is a Comp cell. Each of the second to fourth macro eNBs 1208 to 1210 configures one cell, each of which is an ES cell. Paragraph 578, in the dormant state in which the ES cell transmits only a DS, the UE in the RRC_Idle state cannot receive the SIB or paging. (579) when detecting an ES cell by detecting and measuring a DS, the UE transmits a wake-up signal to the ES cell. Paragraph 581, the UE may transmit a wake-up signal to a cell having the highest received power or a cell having the highest reception quality when it has detected a plurality of ES cells. Paragraph 587, the ES cell in the dormant state, which has received a wake-up signal from the UE, can switch itself on to shift to the normal operation. The ES cell that has shifted to the normal operation can transmit an SIB and a paging signal to the UE within its coverage).
Consider Claim 26, Onaka discloses the apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the first reference signal carries a local cell identity, a value of the local cell identity is an integer greater than or equal to o and less than or equal to N-1, N is a positive integer, and N is less than a maximum value of a physical cell identity. (Paragraph 76, in FIG. 7, first and second eNBs 1103 and 1104 each configure a coverage cell(physical cell). The coverage cell configured by the first eNB 1103 has a first coverage 1101. The coverage cell configured by the second eNB 1104 has a second coverage 1102. Paragraph 77, third to seventh eNBs 1105, 1106, 1107, 1108, and 1109 each configure a capacity cell(local cell). The capacity cell configured by the third eNB 1105 has a third coverage 1110. The capacity cell configured by the fourth eNB 1106 has a fourth coverage 1111. The capacity cell configured by the fifth eNB 1107 has a fifth coverage 1112. The capacity cell configured by the sixth eNB 1108 has a sixth coverage 1113. The capacity cell configured by the seventh eNB 1109 has a seventh coverage 1114. Paragraph 063, The SIB1 contains the information about the access to the cell, information about cell selection, and scheduling information on another SIB (SIBk; k is an integer greater than or equal to two)).
Consider Claim 28, Onaka discloses the apparatus according to claim 25, wherein reference signals of at least two different cells have different frequency domain positions. (Paragraph 171, the UE performs the configuration of a Comp cell, such as a carrier frequency and a cell identifier, received in the message for measurement or stores the information on the previously detected cells, at the occurrence of an RLF. The UE uses the configuration of a Comp cell, such as the stored carrier frequency and cell identifier, or the information on the previously detected cells to perform stored information cell selection for RRC connection reestablishment).
Consider Claim 29, Onaka discloses the apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the first reference signal further carries a time domain offset, and the time domain offset indicates an offset between a time domain position of the first reference signal and a time domain position of the first indication information. (Paragraph 370, the ES cell decides, in accordance with the criterion for deciding the priority of a UE that has received a HO request, the priority of the UE and sets a backoff time in PRACH retransmission in accordance with the priority of the UE. The UE for which a backoff time has been set delays the PRACH retransmission by a predetermined period in accordance with the set value of the backoff time. The backoff time may be set using the existing parameter “Backoff Parameter values” of the RAR).
Consider Claim 30, Onaka discloses the apparatus according to claim 25, wherein a predefined time domain offset is between a time domain position of the first reference signal and a time domain position of the first indication information. (Paragraph 373, The ES cell may notify the Comp cell of the backoff time set value together with a HO request response message in response to the previously received HO request message or by including the backoff time in the HO request response message. The Comp cell that has received the backoff time set value in the HO request response message may notify the UE of the backoff time set value together with a HO command message or by including the backoff time set value in the HO command message).
Consider Claim 31, Onaka discloses a non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions that are executable by a computer, wherein the non-transitory computer readable medium is applied to a first communication apparatus, and the instructions comprise instructions for: (Paragraph 48, a transmission data buffer unit 803 stores the control data from a protocol processing unit 801 and the user data from an application unit 802. The data stored in the transmission data buffer unit 803 is passed to an encoding unit 804).
receiving M reference signals, wherein the M reference signals are from C cells, M and C are positive integers, and M is greater than or equal to C; and (paragraph 238, a threshold may be set to a predetermined value such that when the value of the received power or reception quality is greater than or equal to the threshold, the UE judges that it has successfully detected a cell and measured the received power or reception quality and then performs measurement report as the occurrence of an even).
sending first indication information to a network device based on a first reference signal, wherein the first indication information indicates to the network device to send a downlink common signal in a target cell, the downlink common signal is used by a terminal to access the target cell, the downlink common signal comprises system information, and the first reference signal is comprised in the M reference signals and is from the target cell. (Paragraph 85, the cell configured by a first macro eNB 1204 is a Comp cell, and the cells configured by second to fourth macro eNBs 1208 to 1210 are ES cells. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the first macro eNB 1204 configures three cells, each of which is a Comp cell. Each of the second to fourth macro eNBs 1208 to 1210 configures one cell, each of which is an ES cell. Paragraph 578, in the dormant state in which the ES cell transmits only a DS, the UE in the RRC_Idle state cannot receive the SIB or paging. (579) when detecting an ES cell by detecting and measuring a DS, the UE transmits a wake-up signal to the ES cell. Paragraph 581, the UE may transmit a wake-up signal to a cell having the highest received power or a cell having the highest reception quality when it has detected a plurality of ES cells. Paragraph 587, the ES cell in the dormant state, which has received a wake-up signal from the UE, can switch itself on to shift to the normal operation. The ES cell that has shifted to the normal operation can transmit an SIB and a paging signal to the UE within its coverage).
Consider Claim 32, Onaka discloses the non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 31, wherein the first reference signal carries a local cell identity, a value of the local cell identity is an integer greater than or equal to o and less than or equal to N-1, N is a positive integer, and N is less than a maximum value of a physical cell identity. (Paragraph 76, in FIG. 7, first and second eNBs 1103 and 1104 each configure a coverage cell(physical cell). The coverage cell configured by the first eNB 1103 has a first coverage 1101. The coverage cell configured by the second eNB 1104 has a second coverage 1102. Paragraph 77, third to seventh eNBs 1105, 1106, 1107, 1108, and 1109 each configure a capacity cell(local cell). The capacity cell configured by the third eNB 1105 has a third coverage 1110. The capacity cell configured by the fourth eNB 1106 has a fourth coverage 1111. The capacity cell configured by the fifth eNB 1107 has a fifth coverage 1112. The capacity cell configured by the sixth eNB 1108 has a sixth coverage 1113. The capacity cell configured by the seventh eNB 1109 has a seventh coverage 1114. Paragraph 063, The SIB1 contains the information about the access to the cell, information about cell selection, and scheduling information on another SIB (SIBk; k is an integer greater than or equal to two)).
Consider Claim 34, Onaka discloses the non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 32, wherein reference signals of at least two different cells have different frequency domain positions. (Paragraph 171, the UE performs the configuration of a Comp cell, such as a carrier frequency and a cell identifier, received in the message for measurement or stores the information on the previously detected cells, at the occurrence of an RLF. The UE uses the configuration of a Comp cell, such as the stored carrier frequency and cell identifier, or the information on the previously detected cells to perform stored information cell selection for RRC connection reestablishment).
Consider Claim 35, Onaka discloses the non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 32, wherein the first reference signal further carries a time domain offset, and the time domain offset indicates an offset between a time domain position of the first reference signal and a time domain position of the first indication information. (Paragraph 370, the ES cell decides, in accordance with the criterion for deciding the priority of a UE that has received a HO request, the priority of the UE and sets a backoff time in PRACH retransmission in accordance with the priority of the UE. The UE for which a backoff time has been set delays the PRACH retransmission by a predetermined period in accordance with the set value of the backoff time. The backoff time may be set using the existing parameter “Backoff Parameter values” of the RAR).
Consider Claim 36, Onaka discloses the non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 32, wherein a predefined time domain offset is between a time domain position of the first reference signal and a time domain position of the first indication information. . (Paragraph 373, The ES cell may notify the Comp cell of the backoff time set value together with a HO request response message in response to the previously received HO request message or by including the backoff time in the HO request response message. The Comp cell that has received the backoff time set value in the HO request response message may notify the UE of the backoff time set value together with a HO command message or by including the backoff time set value in the HO command message).
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 21, 27 and 33 are rejected under U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable by Onaka et al. (US 11743817 B2, hereinafter Onaka) in view of Maeda et al. (US 20110280223 A1, hereinafter Maeda).
Consider Claim 21, Onaka discloses the claimed invention the method according to claim 20, wherein the value of the local cell identity and a value of the physical cell identity satisfy the following relationship, (paragraph 37, division of the PCI range is also referred to as PCI split. The information about PCI split (also referred to as PCI split information) is broadcast in the system information from a base station to user equipment being served thereby. Being served by a base station means taking the base station as a serving cell) but fails to teach V=Vpci mod N, wherein V represents the value of the local cell identity, and Vpci represents the value of the physical cell identity (PCI).
However, Maeda teaches (paragraph 0107, all physical cell identities (PCIs) are split (referred to as PCI-split) into ones reserved for CSG cells and the others reserved for non-CSG cells. The PCI split information is broadcast in the system information from the base station to the UEs being served thereby. The UE that does not have the PCI split information needs to perform cell search using all PCIs. On the other hand, the UE that has the PCI split information is capable of performing cell search using the PCI split information. Paragraph 0262, association is established between the PCI of the second cell and the offset amount of radio resources allocated to the signals that cause interference between the first cell and the second cell or between the PCI of the second cell and the information indicating the frame configuration of the second cell. Offset amount=PCI mod N (N is an integer) and Information indicating frame configuration=PCI mod N (N is an integer).
Consider Claim 27, Onaka discloses the claimed invention the apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the value of the local cell identity and a value of the physical cell identity satisfy the following relationship, (paragraph 37, division of the PCI range is also referred to as PCI split. The information about PCI split (also referred to as PCI split information) is broadcast in the system information from a base station to user equipment being served thereby. Being served by a base station means taking the base station as a serving cell) but fails to teach V=Vpci mod N, wherein V represents the value of the local cell identity, and Vpci represents the value of the physical cell identity (PCI).
However, Maeda teaches (paragraph 0107, all physical cell identities (PCIs) are split (referred to as PCI-split) into ones reserved for CSG cells and the others reserved for non-CSG cells. The PCI split information is broadcast in the system information from the base station to the UEs being served thereby. The UE that does not have the PCI split information needs to perform cell search using all PCIs. On the other hand, the UE that has the PCI split information is capable of performing cell search using the PCI split information. Paragraph 0262, association is established between the PCI of the second cell and the offset amount of radio resources allocated to the signals that cause interference between the first cell and the second cell or between the PCI of the second cell and the information indicating the frame configuration of the second cell. Offset amount=PCI mod N (N is an integer) and Information indicating frame configuration=PCI mod N (N is an integer).
Consider Claim 33, Onaka discloses the claimed invention the non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 32, wherein the value of the local cell identity and a value of the physical cell identity satisfy the following relationship, (paragraph 37, division of the PCI range is also referred to as PCI split. The information about PCI split (also referred to as PCI split information) is broadcast in the system information from a base station to user equipment being served thereby. Being served by a base station means taking the base station as a serving cell) but fails to teach V=Vpci mod N, wherein V represents the value of the local cell identity, and Vpci represents the value of the physical cell identity (PCI).
However, Maeda teaches (paragraph 0107, all physical cell identities (PCIs) are split (referred to as PCI-split) into ones reserved for CSG cells and the others reserved for non-CSG cells. The PCI split information is broadcast in the system information from the base station to the UEs being served thereby. The UE that does not have the PCI split information needs to perform cell search using all PCIs. On the other hand, the UE that has the PCI split information is capable of performing cell search using the PCI split information. Paragraph 0262, association is established between the PCI of the second cell and the offset amount of radio resources allocated to the signals that cause interference between the first cell and the second cell or between the PCI of the second cell and the information indicating the frame configuration of the second cell. Offset amount=PCI mod N (N is an integer) and Information indicating frame configuration=PCI mod N (N is an integer).
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 21, 27 and 33 by combining/adding the teachings of Onaka PCI split for splitting up cell interference with the PCI specific calculation of the PCI split mod function of Maeda. The motivation to do so would be to develop an expanded where a reduction in power consumption is required also in a mobile communication system. In addition, As a result, the time for cell search can be reduced, thereby restricting the repetitive occurrence of RRC connection reestablishment. Also, a delay time can be reduced, thereby it is possible to achieve the effects that a control delay is prevented and that power consumption is reduced by mapping the offset amount or the information indicating the frame configuration information and reducing the probability of occurrence of missing data and communication interruption. This reduces the degradation in user experience.
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