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 .
Introduction
The claims 1-20 are pending in this application. This is a non-final office action in response to Application Number 18/411,793 filed on 12 January 2024 and claiming foreign priority to KR 10-2023-0005038 filed on 12 January 2023. The applicant of record is Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. and the inventors of record are Junyung Yi, Youngbum Kim, and Hyunseok Ryu.
Priority
Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 11 April 2024 was filed after the initial filing date of the instant application on 12 January 2024 and before the mailing date of the first office action on the merits. The submission is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
Claim Interpretation
The claims have been considered according to the latest Patent Eligibility Guidelines and are considered eligible.
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.
Claims 1-5, 10-14, and 19-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yu et al. (U.S. Patent Publication 2014/0018057) in view of Mackenzie et al. (U.S. Patent 10,728,844).
Regarding claim 1, Yu disclosed a method performed by a base station in a wireless communication system (see Yu Fig. 3 BS1 and BS2 transmit energy saving information to each other), the method comprising:
receiving first configuration information related to an energy saving of at least one ambient base station from the at least one ambient base station (see Yu Fig. 5 #502: BS2 receives an energy saving request message from BS1; [0135]: “in step 502: the BS1 transmits the energy saving request message to the BS2, wherein, the message can optionally include an energy-saving mode activation request indication, BS1 information, BS2 information, an energy saving configuration information, etc.”; examiner interprets Yu’s BS1 as being functionally equivalent to the claimed “ambient base station” and Yu’s BS2 as being functionally equivalent to the claimed “base station” | [0017]: “Preferably, the energy-saving management information further comprises energy saving configuration information, wherein, the energy saving configuration information comprises one of the following or a combination thereof: an energy saving related parameter identifier, an energy saving operation timer and an energy saving operation threshold which are pre-configured between the base stations.”; [0021]: “Preferably, the base station transmits the energy-saving management information to the neighboring base station through an energy saving request message…”);
configuring an energy saving of the base station based on the first configuration information (see Yu-Mackenzie combination below); and
transmitting second configuration information related to the energy saving of the base station to the at least one ambient base station (see Yu Fig. 5 #503 BS2 sends an energy saving response acceptance message to BS1; [0136]: “in step 503: the BS2 transmits the energy saving response message to the BS1, wherein, the message can optionally include the energy-saving mode activation acceptance indication, the BS1 information, the BS2 information, accepted energy saving configuration information, etc.; and the BS2 enters the compensation mode” | Fig. 5 #504 BS1 changes to working in the energy-savings mode in response to receiving the energy saving response acceptance message in #503; [0137]: “in step 504: the BS1 receives the energy saving response message, and the BS1 enters the energy-saving mode.”).
With respect to the limitation “configuring an energy saving of the base station based on the first configuration information”:
Yu disclosed in Figure 5 that BS2 changes from working in normal node to working in compensation mode after receiving and accepting BS1’s energy saving request message (that includes configuration information – see [0021]), i.e. configuring a base station based on configuration information received from another base station. “In step 503: the BS2 transmits the energy saving response message to the BS1…and the BS2 enters the compensation mode” (see [0136]). “After receiving the energy-saving management information, the neighboring base station determining whether to enter a compensation mode or not; wherein, the compensation mode includes one of the following or a combination thereof: performing a coverage compensation to the base station, and updating a parameter of a neighboring cell” (see [0114]). “…So, when a certain base station needs to be shut off because of a factor such as, energy saving, etc., and the base station is in a non-service status, its neighboring base stations need to be notified, so that these neighboring base stations adjust the corresponding parameters, thus avoiding the problems, such as, handoff, coverage loss and increase of the power consumption of the terminal caused by the energy saving operation of the base station or abnormality of the base station” (see [0088]).
Although Yu’s example in Figure 5 illustrates the sending base station entering energy saving mode and the receiving base station entering compensation mode based on the received configuration information, examiner notes that the scope of the claimed “configuring an energy saving of the base station” based on the received configuration information (that is related to the sending base station’s energy saving) does not specify whether or not the base station receiving the configuration information enters or exits an energy saving mode, compensation mode, or normal mode.
While it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention that which base station of the two base stations enters energy saving mode and compensation mode is a matter of implementation choice, however in a related art, Mackenzie disclosed: “Furthermore, on receipt of the first X2 message, the neighboring base station may also send a first X2 message back to the original base station. The two base stations may then negotiate which of the two should go into energy saving mode and which should go into compensation mode. It may therefore transpire that the base station sending the original first X2 message compensates for the neighboring base station” (see Mackenzie 9:27-35), i.e. the initial receiving base station enters an energy saving mode.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Yu and Mackenzie to further clarify which of the two base stations enters energy saving mode. Including Mackenzie’s teachings regarding negotiating between the multiple base stations would enable base stations to have increased control over transitioning to energy saving mode to avoid a reduction in quality of service (see Mackenzie 4:61-5:7), ensuring that neighbors will not encounter an impossible strain due to one base station’s energy savings (see Mackenzie 9:17-26), and also resulting in decreased overall network energy consumption (see Mackenzie 5:31-6:6).
Regarding claim 2, Yu-Mackenzie disclosed the method of claim 1, further comprising: transmitting capability information related to the energy saving of the base station to the at least one ambient base station (see Mackenzie 6:41-63: the receiving base station sends another X2 message to the sending base station including information about the receiving base station’s capabilities and energy savings).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Yu and Mackenzie to further clarify which of the two base stations enters energy saving mode. Including Mackenzie’s teachings regarding negotiating between the multiple base stations would enable base stations to have increased control over transitioning to energy saving mode to avoid a reduction in quality of service (see Mackenzie 4:61-5:7), ensuring that neighbors will not encounter an impossible strain due to one base station’s energy savings (see Mackenzie 9:17-26), and also resulting in decreased overall network energy consumption (see Mackenzie 5:31-6:6).
Regarding claim 3, Yu-Mackenzie disclosed the method of claim 1, further comprising:
monitoring the first configuration information about the at least one ambient base station while the base station operates in an energy saving mode (see Mackenzie 7:44-55: a compensating base station (second eNB) is compensating for a base station in energy saving mode (third eNB); the compensating base station monitors its load and determines that the load has dropped below a threshold and should switch to energy saving mode; 10:15-37: determining to reactivate an energy saving base station (third eNB) based on another base station’s (first eNB) load being above a threshold); and
transmitting information for indicating whether to change the second
configuration information to the at least one ambient base station (see Mackenzie 7:44-8:6: the compensating base station monitors its load and determines that the load has dropped below a threshold and should switch to energy saving mode; the compensating base station then sends an X2 message to its neighbors including information about the compensating base station’s intent to enter energy saving mode and other information about the compensating base station | 10:15-37: determining to reactivate an energy saving base station (third eNB) based on another base station’s (first eNB) load being above a threshold, so that the reactivated base station (third eNB) will compensate for another base station in energy saving mode (second eNB).).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Yu and Mackenzie to further clarify which of the two base stations enters energy saving mode. Including Mackenzie’s teachings regarding negotiating between the multiple base stations would enable base stations to have increased control over transitioning to energy saving mode to avoid a reduction in quality of service (see Mackenzie 4:61-5:7), ensuring that neighbors will not encounter an impossible strain due to one base station’s energy savings (see Mackenzie 9:17-26), and also resulting in decreased overall network energy consumption (see Mackenzie 5:31-6:6).
Regarding claim 4, Yu-Mackenzie disclosed the method of claim 1, wherein the first configuration information and the second configuration information are transmitted and received using an Xn interface or an F1 interface between the base station and the at least one ambient base station (see Yu [0127]: “Further, the energy saving notification message, the energy saving request message or the energy saving response message is transmitted through an interface between the base stations”; it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention that Xn and F1 interfaces are commonly used interfaces between two base stations | Mackenzie 9:27-35: “Furthermore, on receipt of the first X2 message, the neighboring base station may also send a first X2 message back to the original base station…”).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Yu and Mackenzie to further clarify which of the two base stations enters energy saving mode. Including Mackenzie’s teachings regarding negotiating between the multiple base stations would enable base stations to have increased control over transitioning to energy saving mode to avoid a reduction in quality of service (see Mackenzie 4:61-5:7), ensuring that neighbors will not encounter an impossible strain due to one base station’s energy savings (see Mackenzie 9:17-26), and also resulting in decreased overall network energy consumption (see Mackenzie 5:31-6:6).
Regarding claim 5, Yu-Mackenzie disclosed the method of claim 1, wherein the base station and the at least one ambient base station share an energy saving-related configuration with each other (see Yu Fig. 5: BS1 and BS2 send energy saving messages to each other; ; [0135]: “in step 502: the BS1 transmits the energy saving request message to the BS2, wherein, the message can optionally include an energy-saving mode activation request indication, BS1 information, BS2 information, an energy saving configuration information, etc.”; [0136]: “in step 503: the BS2 transmits the energy saving response message to the BS1, wherein, the message can optionally include the energy-saving mode activation acceptance indication, the BS1 information, the BS2 information, accepted energy saving configuration information, etc.; and the BS2 enters the compensation mode” | [0017]: “Preferably, the energy-saving management information further comprises energy saving configuration information, wherein, the energy saving configuration information comprises one of the following or a combination thereof: an energy saving related parameter identifier, an energy saving operation timer and an energy saving operation threshold which are pre-configured between the base stations.”; [0021]: “Preferably, the base station transmits the energy-saving management information to the neighboring base station through an energy saving request message…” | examiner notes that the claimed “share an energy saving-related configuration with each other” is interpreted as exchanging messages including energy saving-related configuration information).
Regarding claim 10, the claim contains the limitations, substantially as claimed, as described in claim 1 above. Examiner notes that claim 1 describes a method and claim 10 describes a base station implementing the method. Yu disclosed, as recited in claim 10: A base station in a wireless communication system (see Yu Fig. 3 BS1 and BS2 transmit energy saving information to each other), the base station
comprising:
a transceiver (see Yu Fig. 3 BS1 and BS2 transmit energy saving information to each other; examiner notes that a transceiver is inherent); and
a processor (see Yu Fig. 3 BS1 and BS2 transmit energy saving information to each other; examiner notes that a processor is inherent) configured to:
receive, through the transceiver, first configuration information related to an energy saving of at least one ambient base station from the at least one ambient base station (see Yu Fig. 5 #502: BS2 receives an energy saving request message from BS1; [0135]: “in step 502: the BS1 transmits the energy saving request message to the BS2, wherein, the message can optionally include an energy-saving mode activation request indication, BS1 information, BS2 information, an energy saving configuration information, etc.”; examiner interprets Yu’s BS1 as being functionally equivalent to the claimed “ambient base station” and Yu’s BS2 as being functionally equivalent to the claimed “base station” | [0017]: “Preferably, the energy-saving management information further comprises energy saving configuration information, wherein, the energy saving configuration information comprises one of the following or a combination thereof: an energy saving related parameter identifier, an energy saving operation timer and an energy saving operation threshold which are pre-configured between the base stations.”; [0021]: “Preferably, the base station transmits the energy-saving management information to the neighboring base station through an energy saving request message…”),
configure an energy saving of the base station based on the first configuration information (see Yu-Mackenzie combination below), and
transmit, through the transceiver, second configuration information related to the energy saving of the base station to the at least one ambient base station (see Yu Fig. 5 #503 BS2 sends an energy saving response acceptance message to BS1; [0136]: “in step 503: the BS2 transmits the energy saving response message to the BS1, wherein, the message can optionally include the energy-saving mode activation acceptance indication, the BS1 information, the BS2 information, accepted energy saving configuration information, etc.; and the BS2 enters the compensation mode” | Fig. 5 #504 BS1 changes to working in the energy-savings mode in response to receiving the energy saving response acceptance message in #503; [0137]: “in step 504: the BS1 receives the energy saving response message, and the BS1 enters the energy-saving mode.”).
With respect to the limitation “configure an energy saving of the base station based on the first configuration information”:
Yu disclosed in Figure 5 that BS2 changes from working in normal node to working in compensation mode after receiving and accepting BS1’s energy saving request message (that includes configuration information – see [0021]), i.e. configuring a base station based on configuration information received from another base station. “In step 503: the BS2 transmits the energy saving response message to the BS1…and the BS2 enters the compensation mode” (see [0136]). “After receiving the energy-saving management information, the neighboring base station determining whether to enter a compensation mode or not; wherein, the compensation mode includes one of the following or a combination thereof: performing a coverage compensation to the base station, and updating a parameter of a neighboring cell” (see [0114]). “…So, when a certain base station needs to be shut off because of a factor such as, energy saving, etc., and the base station is in a non-service status, its neighboring base stations need to be notified, so that these neighboring base stations adjust the corresponding parameters, thus avoiding the problems, such as, handoff, coverage loss and increase of the power consumption of the terminal caused by the energy saving operation of the base station or abnormality of the base station” (see [0088]).
Although Yu’s example in Figure 5 illustrates the sending base station entering energy saving mode and the receiving base station entering compensation mode based on the received configuration information, examiner notes that the scope of the claimed “configuring an energy saving of the base station” based on the received configuration information (that is related to the sending base station’s energy saving) does not specify whether or not the base station receiving the configuration information enters or exits an energy saving mode, compensation mode, or normal mode.
While it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention that which base station of the two base stations enters energy saving mode and compensation mode is a matter of implementation choice, however in a related art, Mackenzie disclosed: “Furthermore, on receipt of the first X2 message, the neighboring base station may also send a first X2 message back to the original base station. The two base stations may then negotiate which of the two should go into energy saving mode and which should go into compensation mode. It may therefore transpire that the base station sending the original first X2 message compensates for the neighboring base station” (see Mackenzie 9:27-35), i.e. the initial receiving base station enters an energy saving mode.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Yu and Mackenzie to further clarify which of the two base stations enters energy saving mode. Including Mackenzie’s teachings regarding negotiating between the multiple base stations would enable base stations to have increased control over transitioning to energy saving mode to avoid a reduction in quality of service (see Mackenzie 4:61-5:7), ensuring that neighbors will not encounter an impossible strain due to one base station’s energy savings (see Mackenzie 9:17-26), and also resulting in decreased overall network energy consumption (see Mackenzie 5:31-6:6).
Regarding claim 11, the claim contains the limitations, substantially as claimed, as described in claim 2 above. Yu-Mackenzie disclosed, as recited in claim 11: The base station of claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to transmit, through the transceiver, capability information related to the energy saving of the base station to the at least one ambient base station (see Mackenzie 6:41-63: the receiving base station sends another X2 message to the sending base station including information about the receiving base station’s capabilities and energy savings).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Yu and Mackenzie to further clarify which of the two base stations enters energy saving mode. Including Mackenzie’s teachings regarding negotiating between the multiple base stations would enable base stations to have increased control over transitioning to energy saving mode to avoid a reduction in quality of service (see Mackenzie 4:61-5:7), ensuring that neighbors will not encounter an impossible strain due to one base station’s energy savings (see Mackenzie 9:17-26), and also resulting in decreased overall network energy consumption (see Mackenzie 5:31-6:6).
Regarding claim 12, the claim contains the limitations, substantially as claimed, as described in claim 3 above. Yu-Mackenzie disclosed, as recited in claim 12: The base station of claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to
monitor the first configuration information about the at least one ambient base station while the base station operates in an energy saving mode (see Mackenzie 7:44-55: a compensating base station (second eNB) is compensating for a base station in energy saving mode (third eNB); the compensating base station monitors its load and determines that the load has dropped below a threshold and should switch to energy saving mode; 10:15-37: determining to reactivate an energy saving base station (third eNB) based on another base station’s (first eNB) load being above a threshold); and
transmit, through the transceiver, information for indicating whether to change the second configuration information to the at least one ambient base station (see Mackenzie 7:44-8:6: the compensating base station monitors its load and determines that the load has dropped below a threshold and should switch to energy saving mode; the compensating base station then sends an X2 message to its neighbors including information about the compensating base station’s intent to enter energy saving mode and other information about the compensating base station | 10:15-37: determining to reactivate an energy saving base station (third eNB) based on another base station’s (first eNB) load being above a threshold, so that the reactivated base station (third eNB) will compensate for another base station in energy saving mode (second eNB).).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Yu and Mackenzie to further clarify which of the two base stations enters energy saving mode. Including Mackenzie’s teachings regarding negotiating between the multiple base stations would enable base stations to have increased control over transitioning to energy saving mode to avoid a reduction in quality of service (see Mackenzie 4:61-5:7), ensuring that neighbors will not encounter an impossible strain due to one base station’s energy savings (see Mackenzie 9:17-26), and also resulting in decreased overall network energy consumption (see Mackenzie 5:31-6:6).
Regarding claim 13, the claim contains the limitations, substantially as claimed, as described in claim 4 above. Yu-Mackenzie disclosed, as recited in claim 13: The base station of claim 10, wherein the first configuration information and the second configuration information are transmitted and received using an Xn interface or an F1 interface between the base station and the at least one ambient base station (see Yu [0127]: “Further, the energy saving notification message, the energy saving request message or the energy saving response message is transmitted through an interface between the base stations”; it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention that Xn and F1 interfaces are commonly used interfaces between two base stations | Mackenzie 9:27-35: “Furthermore, on receipt of the first X2 message, the neighboring base station may also send a first X2 message back to the original base station…”).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Yu and Mackenzie to further clarify which of the two base stations enters energy saving mode. Including Mackenzie’s teachings regarding negotiating between the multiple base stations would enable base stations to have increased control over transitioning to energy saving mode to avoid a reduction in quality of service (see Mackenzie 4:61-5:7), ensuring that neighbors will not encounter an impossible strain due to one base station’s energy savings (see Mackenzie 9:17-26), and also resulting in decreased overall network energy consumption (see Mackenzie 5:31-6:6).
Regarding claim 14, the claim contains the limitations, substantially as claimed, as described in claim 5 above. Yu-Mackenzie disclosed, as recited in claim 14: The base station of claim 10, wherein the base station and the at least one ambient base station share an energy saving-related configuration with each other (see Yu Fig. 5: BS1 and BS2 send energy saving messages to each other; ; [0135]: “in step 502: the BS1 transmits the energy saving request message to the BS2, wherein, the message can optionally include an energy-saving mode activation request indication, BS1 information, BS2 information, an energy saving configuration information, etc.”; [0136]: “in step 503: the BS2 transmits the energy saving response message to the BS1, wherein, the message can optionally include the energy-saving mode activation acceptance indication, the BS1 information, the BS2 information, accepted energy saving configuration information, etc.; and the BS2 enters the compensation mode” | [0017]: “Preferably, the energy-saving management information further comprises energy saving configuration information, wherein, the energy saving configuration information comprises one of the following or a combination thereof: an energy saving related parameter identifier, an energy saving operation timer and an energy saving operation threshold which are pre-configured between the base stations.”; [0021]: “Preferably, the base station transmits the energy-saving management information to the neighboring base station through an energy saving request message…” | examiner notes that the claimed “share an energy saving-related configuration with each other” is interpreted as exchanging messages including energy saving-related configuration information).
Regarding claim 19, the claim contains the limitations, substantially as claimed, as described in claim 1 above. Examiner notes that claim 1 describes a method and claim 19 describes one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media. Yu disclosed, as recited in claim 19: One or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media storing one or more computer programs including computer-executable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a base station in a wireless communication system (see Yu Fig. 3 BS1 and BS2 transmit energy saving information to each other), cause the base station to perform operations, the operations comprising:
receiving first configuration information related to an energy saving of at least one ambient base station from the at least one ambient base station (see Yu Fig. 5 #502: BS2 receives an energy saving request message from BS1; [0135]: “in step 502: the BS1 transmits the energy saving request message to the BS2, wherein, the message can optionally include an energy-saving mode activation request indication, BS1 information, BS2 information, an energy saving configuration information, etc.”; examiner interprets Yu’s BS1 as being functionally equivalent to the claimed “ambient base station” and Yu’s BS2 as being functionally equivalent to the claimed “base station” | [0017]: “Preferably, the energy-saving management information further comprises energy saving configuration information, wherein, the energy saving configuration information comprises one of the following or a combination thereof: an energy saving related parameter identifier, an energy saving operation timer and an energy saving operation threshold which are pre-configured between the base stations.”; [0021]: “Preferably, the base station transmits the energy-saving management information to the neighboring base station through an energy saving request message…”);
configuring an energy saving of the base station based on the first configuration information (see Yu-Mackenzie combination below); and
transmitting second configuration information related to the energy saving of the base station to the at least one ambient base station (see Yu Fig. 5 #503 BS2 sends an energy saving response acceptance message to BS1; [0136]: “in step 503: the BS2 transmits the energy saving response message to the BS1, wherein, the message can optionally include the energy-saving mode activation acceptance indication, the BS1 information, the BS2 information, accepted energy saving configuration information, etc.; and the BS2 enters the compensation mode” | Fig. 5 #504 BS1 changes to working in the energy-savings mode in response to receiving the energy saving response acceptance message in #503; [0137]: “in step 504: the BS1 receives the energy saving response message, and the BS1 enters the energy-saving mode.”).
With respect to the limitation “configuring an energy saving of the base station based on the first configuration information”:
Yu disclosed in Figure 5 that BS2 changes from working in normal node to working in compensation mode after receiving and accepting BS1’s energy saving request message (that includes configuration information – see [0021]), i.e. configuring a base station based on configuration information received from another base station. “In step 503: the BS2 transmits the energy saving response message to the BS1…and the BS2 enters the compensation mode” (see [0136]). “After receiving the energy-saving management information, the neighboring base station determining whether to enter a compensation mode or not; wherein, the compensation mode includes one of the following or a combination thereof: performing a coverage compensation to the base station, and updating a parameter of a neighboring cell” (see [0114]). “…So, when a certain base station needs to be shut off because of a factor such as, energy saving, etc., and the base station is in a non-service status, its neighboring base stations need to be notified, so that these neighboring base stations adjust the corresponding parameters, thus avoiding the problems, such as, handoff, coverage loss and increase of the power consumption of the terminal caused by the energy saving operation of the base station or abnormality of the base station” (see [0088]).
Although Yu’s example in Figure 5 illustrates the sending base station entering energy saving mode and the receiving base station entering compensation mode based on the received configuration information, examiner notes that the scope of the claimed “configuring an energy saving of the base station” based on the received configuration information (that is related to the sending base station’s energy saving) does not specify whether or not the base station receiving the configuration information enters or exits an energy saving mode, compensation mode, or normal mode.
While it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention that which base station of the two base stations enters energy saving mode and compensation mode is a matter of implementation choice, however in a related art, Mackenzie disclosed: “Furthermore, on receipt of the first X2 message, the neighboring base station may also send a first X2 message back to the original base station. The two base stations may then negotiate which of the two should go into energy saving mode and which should go into compensation mode. It may therefore transpire that the base station sending the original first X2 message compensates for the neighboring base station” (see Mackenzie 9:27-35), i.e. the initial receiving base station enters an energy saving mode.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Yu and Mackenzie to further clarify which of the two base stations enters energy saving mode. Including Mackenzie’s teachings regarding negotiating between the multiple base stations would enable base stations to have increased control over transitioning to energy saving mode to avoid a reduction in quality of service (see Mackenzie 4:61-5:7), ensuring that neighbors will not encounter an impossible strain due to one base station’s energy savings (see Mackenzie 9:17-26), and also resulting in decreased overall network energy consumption (see Mackenzie 5:31-6:6).
Regarding claim 20, the claim contains the limitations, substantially as claimed, as described in claim 2 above. Yu-Mackenzie disclosed, as recited in claim 20: The one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media of claim 19, wherein the operations further comprising: transmitting capability information related to the energy saving of the base station to the at least one ambient base station (see Mackenzie 6:41-63: the receiving base station sends another X2 message to the sending base station including information about the receiving base station’s capabilities and energy savings).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Yu and Mackenzie to further clarify which of the two base stations enters energy saving mode. Including Mackenzie’s teachings regarding negotiating between the multiple base stations would enable base stations to have increased control over transitioning to energy saving mode to avoid a reduction in quality of service (see Mackenzie 4:61-5:7), ensuring that neighbors will not encounter an impossible strain due to one base station’s energy savings (see Mackenzie 9:17-26), and also resulting in decreased overall network energy consumption (see Mackenzie 5:31-6:6).
Claims 6-9 and 15-18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yu-Mackenzie as applied to claims 1 and 10 above, and further in view of Park et al. (U.S. Patent Publication 2025/0220608; US provisional 63/410,048).
Regarding claim 6, Yu-Mackenzie disclosed the invention, substantially as claimed, as described in the method of claim 1 above, but did not explicitly disclose “wherein at least one of the first configuration information and the second configuration information includes at least one of information indicating whether an SSB-less operation is possible to reduce or stop transmission of a synchronization signal block (SSB) for the energy saving and information about a cell to which the SSB-less operation is applied”.
However in a related art, Park disclosed “Example embodiments may support that a base station sends, to another base station, SSB configurations (e.g., deactivation/activation of one or more SSB) of its cell associated with energy saving operation…” (see Park [provisional 0199; US-0217]). “…the second configuration message comprising…the second parameters (SSB-configuration2) indicating to deactivate the one or more first SSBs of the second cell. The second parameters may be associated with the energy saving activation of the second cell…” (see Park [provisional 0207; US-0225]). “In an example, the second parameters may comprise at least one of…a field indicating SSB-less operation of the second cell…” (see Park [provisional 0212; US-0230]).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Yu-Mackenzie and Park to further describe types of energy saving configurations. Including Park’s teachings regarding the role of SSBs in energy saving configurations would increase the efficiency of radio resource utilization (see Park [provisional 0199; US-0217]).
Regarding claim 7, Yu-Mackenzie disclosed the invention, substantially as claimed, as described in the method of claim 1 above, but did not explicitly disclose the following limitations that are taught in a related art, Park:
wherein at least one of the first configuration information and the second configuration information includes information about an on-demand SSB operation of transmitting an on-demand SSB based on a request from a user equipment (UE) for the energy saving (Park disclosed “Example embodiments may support that a base station sends, to another base station, SSB configurations (e.g., deactivation/activation of one or more SSB) of its cell associated with energy saving operation…” (see Park [provisional 0199; US-0217]). “…the second configuration message comprising…the second parameters (SSB-configuration2) indicating to deactivate the one or more first SSBs of the second cell. The second parameters may be associated with the energy saving activation of the second cell…” (see Park [provisional 0207; US-0225]). “In an example, the second parameters may comprise at least one of…a field indicating on-demand SSB transmission…” (see Park [provisional 0212; US-0230]).), and
wherein the information about the on-demand SSB operation includes at least one of information about a cell supporting on-demand SSB transmission, information indicating whether the request from the UE is possible, index and period information about an SSB available as the on-demand SSB, and SSB transmission power information (Park disclosed “In an example, the deactivation of the one or more first SSBs may be associated with the energy saving activation of the second cell. The second configuration message may comprise at least one of: a cell identifier…of the second cell; SSB indexes of one or more of the plurality of SSBs of the cell for the energy saving of the second cell…” (see Park [provisional 0208; US-0226]). “In an example, the second parameters may comprise at least one of: a transmission periodicity of one or more of the plurality of SSBs of the second cell; a first transmission periodicity (e.g., long period, 160ms) of the one or more first SSBs of the second cell; a second transmission periodicity (e.g., short period, 20ms) of the one or more second SSBs of the second cell…a field indicating on-demand SSB transmission…” (see Park [provisional 0212; US-0230]). “In an example, the second parameters may comprise at least one of: a field indicating to transmit one or more of the plurality of SSBs of the second cell with a low power…”(see Park [provisional 0213; US-0231]).).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Yu-Mackenzie and Park to further describe types of energy saving configurations. Including Park’s teachings regarding the role of SSBs in energy saving configurations would increase the efficiency of radio resource utilization (see Park [provisional 0199; US-0230]).
Regarding claim 8, Yu-Mackenzie-Park disclosed the method of claim 7, wherein at least one of the first configuration information and the second configuration information further includes wake-up signaling (WUS) information received from the UE to transmit the on-demand SSB (Park disclosed “…the UE may be in a sleep state for the majority of the time (e.g., to conserve battery power). The UE may wake up periodically…” (see Park [provisional 0084; US-0101]). “…While in RRC inactive 606, the UE may be in a sleep state and mobility of the UE may be managed by the UE through cell reselection…” (see Park [provisional 0085; US-0102]). “…the second parameters (SSB-configuration2) indicating to deactivate the one or more first SSBs of the second cell. The second parameters may be associated with the energy saving activation of the second cell…” (see Park [provisional 0207; US-0225]). “In an example, the second parameters may comprise at least one of: a transmission periodicity of one or more of the plurality of SSBs of the second cell; a first transmission periodicity (e.g., long period, 160ms) of the one or more first SSBs of the second cell; a second transmission periodicity (e.g., short period, 20ms) of the one or more second SSBs of the second cell…a field indicating on-demand SSB transmission…” (see Park [provisional 0212; US-0230]).).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Yu-Mackenzie and Park to further describe types of energy saving configurations. Including Park’s teachings regarding the role of SSBs in energy saving configurations would increase the efficiency of radio resource utilization (see Park [provisional 0199; US-0230]).
Regarding claim 9, Yu-Mackenzie-Park disclosed the method of claim 8, wherein the WUS information includes subcarrier spacing of a WUS transmission, transmit power for the WUS transmission, and at least one of a WUS occasion related to the SSB for the WUS transmission and WUS time window information (Park disclosed “…the UE may be in a sleep state for the majority of the time (e.g., to conserve battery power). The UE may wake up periodically (e.g., once in every discontinuous reception cycle)…” (see Park [provisional 0084; US-0101]). “The duration of a slot may depend on the numerology used for the OFDM symbols of the slot...A numerology may be defined in terms of subcarrier spacing and cyclic prefix duration” (see Park [provisional 0093; US-0110]). “…The UE may determine, based on the one or more RACH parameters, a time-frequency resource and/or an uplink transmit power…” (see Park [provisional 0152; US-0169]).).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Yu-Mackenzie and Park to further describe types of energy saving configurations. Including Park’s teachings regarding the role of SSBs in energy saving configurations would increase the efficiency of radio resource utilization (see Park [provisional 0199; US-0230]).
Regarding claim 15, the claim contains the limitations, substantially as claimed, as described in claim 6 above. Yu-Mackenzie disclosed, as recited in claim 15:
Yu-Mackenzie disclosed the invention, substantially as claimed, as described in the base station of claim 10 above, but did not explicitly disclose “wherein at least one of the first configuration information and the second configuration information includes at least one of information indicating whether an SSB-less operation is possible to reduce or stop transmission of a synchronization signal block (SSB) for the energy saving and information about a cell to which the SSB-less operation is applied”.
However in a related art, Park disclosed “Example embodiments may support that a base station sends, to another base station, SSB configurations (e.g., deactivation/activation of one or more SSB) of its cell associated with energy saving operation…” (see Park [provisional 0199; US-0217]). “…the second configuration message comprising…the second parameters (SSB-configuration2) indicating to deactivate the one or more first SSBs of the second cell. The second parameters may be associated with the energy saving activation of the second cell…” (see Park [provisional 0207; US-0225]). “In an example, the second parameters may comprise at least one of…a field indicating SSB-less operation of the second cell…” (see Park [provisional 0212; US-0230]).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Yu-Mackenzie and Park to further describe types of energy saving configurations. Including Park’s teachings regarding the role of SSBs in energy saving configurations would increase the efficiency of radio resource utilization (see Park [provisional 0199; US-0217]).
Regarding claim 16, the claim contains the limitations, substantially as claimed, as described in claim 7 above. Yu-Mackenzie disclosed, as recited in claim 16:
Yu-Mackenzie disclosed the invention, substantially as claimed, as described in the base station of claim 10 above, but did not explicitly disclose the following limitations that are taught in a related art, Park:
wherein at least one of the first configuration information and the second
configuration information includes information about an on-demand SSB operation of transmitting an on-demand SSB based on a request from a user equipment (UE) for the energy saving (Park disclosed “Example embodiments may support that a base station sends, to another base station, SSB configurations (e.g., deactivation/activation of one or more SSB) of its cell associated with energy saving operation…” (see Park [provisional 0199; US-0217]). “…the second configuration message comprising…the second parameters (SSB-configuration2) indicating to deactivate the one or more first SSBs of the second cell. The second parameters may be associated with the energy saving activation of the second cell…” (see Park [provisional 0207; US-0225]). “In an example, the second parameters may comprise at least one of…a field indicating on-demand SSB transmission…” (see Park [provisional 0212; US-0230]).), and
wherein the information about the on-demand SSB includes at least one of
information about a cell supporting on-demand SSB transmission, information
indicating whether the request from the UE is possible, index and period information about an SSB available as the on-demand SSB, and SSB transmission power information (Park disclosed “In an example, the deactivation of the one or more first SSBs may be associated with the energy saving activation of the second cell. The second configuration message may comprise at least one of: a cell identifier…of the second cell; SSB indexes of one or more of the plurality of SSBs of the cell for the energy saving of the second cell…” (see Park [provisional 0208; US-0226]). “In an example, the second parameters may comprise at least one of: a transmission periodicity of one or more of the plurality of SSBs of the second cell; a first transmission periodicity (e.g., long period, 160ms) of the one or more first SSBs of the second cell; a second transmission periodicity (e.g., short period, 20ms) of the one or more second SSBs of the second cell…a field indicating on-demand SSB transmission…” (see Park [provisional 0212; US-0230]). “In an example, the second parameters may comprise at least one of: a field indicating to transmit one or more of the plurality of SSBs of the second cell with a low power…”(see Park [provisional 0213; US-0231]).).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Yu-Mackenzie and Park to further describe types of energy saving configurations. Including Park’s teachings regarding the role of SSBs in energy saving configurations would increase the efficiency of radio resource utilization (see Park [provisional 0199; US-0230]).
Regarding claim 17, the claim contains the limitations, substantially as claimed, as described in claim 8 above. Yu-Mackenzie-Park disclosed, as recited in claim 17: The base station of claim 16, wherein at least one of the first configuration information and the second configuration information further includes wake-up signaling (WUS) information received from the UE to transmit the on-demand SSB (Park disclosed “…the UE may be in a sleep state for the majority of the time (e.g., to conserve battery power). The UE may wake up periodically…” (see Park [provisional 0084; US-0101]). “…While in RRC inactive 606, the UE may be in a sleep state and mobility of the UE may be managed by the UE through cell reselection…” (see Park [provisional 0085; US-0102]). “…the second parameters (SSB-configuration2) indicating to deactivate the one or more first SSBs of the second cell. The second parameters may be associated with the energy saving activation of the second cell…” (see Park [provisional 0207; US-0225]). “In an example, the second parameters may comprise at least one of: a transmission periodicity of one or more of the plurality of SSBs of the second cell; a first transmission periodicity (e.g., long period, 160ms) of the one or more first SSBs of the second cell; a second transmission periodicity (e.g., short period, 20ms) of the one or more second SSBs of the second cell…a field indicating on-demand SSB transmission…” (see Park [provisional 0212; US-0230]).).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Yu-Mackenzie and Park to further describe types of energy saving configurations. Including Park’s teachings regarding the role of SSBs in energy saving configurations would increase the efficiency of radio resource utilization (see Park [provisional 0199; US-0230]).
Regarding claim 18, the claim contains the limitations, substantially as claimed, as described in claim 9 above. Yu-Mackenzie-Park disclosed, as recited in claim 18: The base station of claim 17, wherein the WUS information includes subcarrier spacing of a WUS transmission, transmit power for the WUS transmission, and at least one of a WUS occasion related to the SSB for the WUS transmission and WUS time window information (Park disclosed “…the UE may be in a sleep state for the majority of the time (e.g., to conserve battery power). The UE may wake up periodically (e.g., once in every discontinuous reception cycle)…” (see Park [provisional 0084; US-0101]). “The duration of a slot may depend on the numerology used for the OFDM symbols of the slot...A numerology may be defined in terms of subcarrier spacing and cyclic prefix duration” (see Park [provisional 0093; US-0110]). “…The UE may determine, based on the one or more RACH parameters, a time-frequency resource and/or an uplink transmit power…” (see Park [provisional 0152; US-0169]).).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Yu-Mackenzie and Park to further describe types of energy saving configurations. Including Park’s teachings regarding the role of SSBs in energy saving configurations would increase the efficiency of radio resource utilization (see Park [provisional 0199; US-0230]).
Conclusion
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/ANGELA WIDHALM DE RODRIGUEZ/Examiner, Art Unit 2443