DETAILED ACTION
Claims 1-10 and 21-40 are presented for examination.
Claims 1, 3, and 4 are amended.
Claims 11-20 are canceled.
Claims 31-40 are new.
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 .
Election/Restrictions
Applicant’s election without traverse of Claims 1-10 and 21-30 in the reply filed on 12/16/2025 is acknowledged.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 01/17/2025 and 03/18/2025 are in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statements are being considered by the examiner.
Drawings
The drawings were received on 08/17/2023. These drawings are acceptable.
Claim Interpretation
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(f):
(f) Element in Claim for a Combination. – An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
The claims in this application are given their broadest reasonable interpretation using the plain meaning of the claim language in light of the specification as it would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The broadest reasonable interpretation of a claim element (also commonly referred to as a claim limitation) is limited by the description in the specification when 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is invoked.
As explained in MPEP § 2181, subsection I, claim limitations that meet the following three-prong test will be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
(A) the claim limitation uses the term “means” or “step” or a term used as a substitute for “means” that is a generic placeholder (also called a nonce term or a non-structural term having no specific structural meaning) for performing the claimed function;
(B) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is modified by functional language, typically, but not always linked by the transition word “for” (e.g., “means for”) or another linking word or phrase, such as “configured to” or “so that”; and
(C) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is not modified by sufficient structure, material, or acts for performing the claimed function.
Use of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim with functional language creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites sufficient structure, material, or acts to entirely perform the recited function.
Absence of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is not to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is not interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites function without reciting sufficient structure, material or acts to entirely perform the recited function.
Claim limitations in this application that use the word “means” (or “step”) are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action. Conversely, claim limitations in this application that do not use the word “means” (or “step”) are not being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action. Such claim limitation(s) is/are: “means for receiving…; means for monitoring…; means for transmitting…; means for communication …” in claim 40.
Because this/these claim limitation(s) is/are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, it/they is/are being interpreted to cover the corresponding structure described in the specification (Figure 6, paragraphs 0163-0172, device 605 may include a receiver 610, a transmitter 615, and a communications manager 620) as performing the claimed function, and equivalents thereof.
If applicant does not intend to have this/these limitation(s) interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, applicant may: (1) amend the claim limitation(s) to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph (e.g., by reciting sufficient structure to perform the claimed function); or (2) present a sufficient showing that the claim limitation(s) recite(s) sufficient structure to perform the claimed function so as to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claim(s) 1-10 and 21-40 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Kazmi et al., (hereinafter Kazmi), U.S. Publication No. 2019/0260487.
As per claim 1, Kazmi discloses a user equipment (UE) [Abstract, fig. 3, 9, paragraphs 0067, 0112, 0328, a user equipment (wireless device 110 may also be referred to as UE)], comprising:
one or more memories storing processor-executable code; and one or more processors coupled with the one or more memories and individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the UE [fig. 9, paragraphs 0328-0330, one or more memories storing processor-executable code; and one or more processors coupled with the one or more memories and individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the UE (processor 920 executes instructions to provide some or all of the functionality described above as being provided by wireless device 110, and memory 930 stores the instructions executed by processor 920)] to:
receive control signaling indicating a carrier aggregation configuration for a set of component carriers, the set of component carriers including at least a primary carrier configured for frequency domain duplexed communications and a secondary carrier configured for time domain duplexed communications [fig. 3, 5, paragraphs 0010, 0011, 0013, 0022, 0063, 0064, 0120, 0131, 0143, 0292, receive control signaling indicating a carrier aggregation configuration for a set of component carriers, the set of component carriers including at least a primary carrier configured for frequency domain duplexed communications and a secondary carrier configured for time domain duplexed communications (a CC (aggregated carrier), PCC or SCC is configured at the UE by the network node using higher layer signaling; a UE may be capable of aggregating more than one unlicensed carriers; the CA combinations can be Time Division Duplex, TDD-TDD and/or Frequency Division Duplex, FDD-TDD)];
monitor one or more performance metrics associated with communications at the UE [paragraphs 0022, 0024, 0120, 0168, 0285, monitor one or more performance metrics associated with communications at the UE (the UE may perform the measurements on the cells on the primary component carrier (PCC) as well as on the cells on one or more secondary component carriers (SCCs))];
transmit a UE assistance information message indicating a request to modify a configured periodicity of sounding reference signal (SRS) transmissions by the UE via the secondary carrier based at least in part on detecting that a performance metric of the one or more performance metrics satisfying a threshold value [paragraphs 0104-0107, 0156, 0208-0220, 0235-0238, transmit a UE assistance information message indicating a request to modify a configured periodicity of sounding reference signal (SRS) transmissions by the UE via the secondary carrier based at least in part on detecting that a performance metric of the one or more performance metrics satisfying a threshold value (capability related to the UE's ability to adapt SRS switching in order to reduce, minimize or avoid interruption on critical signals used for performing measurements; adaptively performing SRS carrier-based switching for transmitting SRS on a second cell (cell2) operating on a second carrier frequency (F2) based on the determined first set of reference time resources)]; and
communicate, via the secondary carrier, one or more SRS transmissions accord to a periodicity that is updated based at least in part on transmitting the UE assistance information message [paragraphs 0013, 0104-0107, 0156, 0180, 0208-0220, 0235-0238, 0267, communicate, via the secondary carrier, one or more SRS transmissions accord to a periodicity that is updated based at least in part on transmitting the UE assistance information message (the UE is to adaptively perform SRS carrier-based switching for transmitting SRS on a second cell (cell2) operating on a second carrier frequency (F2); the SRS carrier-based switching for transmitting SRS on cell2 belonging to F2 may be performed by the UE based on one or more of the following mechanisms: autonomously, based on the assistance data from another node (e.g., from a network node or from another UE))].
As per claim 2, Kazmi discloses the UE of claim 1, wherein, to monitor the one or more performance metrics, the one or more processors are individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the UE to:
monitor the one or more performance metrics in accordance with a monitoring periodicity that is based at least in part on a coherence time associated with the UE [paragraphs 0068, 0160-0166, 0180, 0232, 0233, monitor the one or more performance metrics in accordance with a monitoring periodicity that is based at least in part on a coherence time associated with the UE (timer in the first node indicating that the SRS carrier based switching needs to be performed (e.g., for periodic or scheduled measurements); performing the measurement may be based on one or more of the following mechanism: periodicity of signals to be measured)].
As per claim 3, Kazmi discloses the UE of claim 2, wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively further operable to execute the code to cause the UE to:
detect, after updating the periodicity and based at least in part on the monitoring, that at least one performance metric of the one or more performance metrics fails to satisfy the threshold value [paragraphs 0103, 0105, 0142, 0155-0156, 0217-0220, detect, after updating the periodicity and based at least in part on the monitoring, that at least one performance metric of the one or more performance metrics fails to satisfy the threshold value (a UE adapts an SRS carrier-based switching configuration in order to minimize or avoid interruption in subframes containing critical signals; M1 is shorter than the measurement period (T2) belonging to M2 (i.e., T2>T1); Performing the measurement so that the impact of the SRS carrier based switching is reduced, minimized)]; and
communicate, via the secondary carrier, a second one or more SRS transmissions accord to the configured periodicity based at least in part on the at least one performance metric failing to satisfy the threshold value [paragraphs 0103, 0105, 0142, 0217-0220, communicate, via the secondary carrier, a second one or more SRS transmissions accord to the configured periodicity based at least in part on the at least one performance metric failing to satisfy the threshold value (a UE adapts an SRS carrier-based switching configuration in order to minimize or avoid interruption in subframes containing critical signals; M1 is shorter than the measurement period (T2) belonging to M2 (i.e., T2>T1); Performing the measurement so that the impact of the SRS carrier based switching is reduced, minimized)].
As per claim 4, Kazmi discloses the UE of claim 2, wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively further operable to execute the code to cause the UE to:
detect, after updating the periodicity and based at least in part on the monitoring, that at least one performance metric of the one or more performance metrics fails to satisfy the threshold value [paragraphs 0103, 0105, 0142, 0155-0156, 0217-0220, detect, after updating the periodicity and based at least in part on the monitoring, that at least one performance metric of the one or more performance metrics fails to satisfy the threshold value (a UE adapts an SRS carrier-based switching configuration in order to minimize or avoid interruption in subframes containing critical signals; M1 is shorter than the measurement period (T2) belonging to M2 (i.e., T2>T1); Performing the measurement so that the impact of the SRS carrier based switching is reduced, minimized))];
transmit a second UE assistance information message indicating a second request to update the periodicity of the SRS transmissions by the UE via the secondary carrier based at least in part on the at least one performance metric failing to satisfy the threshold value [paragraphs 0104-0107, 0156, 0208-0220, 0235-0238, transmit a second UE assistance information message indicating a second request to update the periodicity of the SRS transmissions by the UE via the secondary carrier based at least in part on the at least one performance metric failing to satisfy the threshold value (capability related to the UE's ability to adapt SRS switching in order to reduce, minimize or avoid interruption on critical signals used for performing measurements; adaptively performing SRS carrier-based switching for transmitting SRS on a second cell (cell2) operating on a second carrier frequency (F2) based on the determined first set of reference time resources)]; and
communicate, via the secondary carrier, a second one or more SRS transmissions accord to a second periodicity that is updated based at least in part on transmitting the second UE assistance information message [paragraphs 0103, 0105, 0142, 0217-0220, communicate, via the secondary carrier, a second one or more SRS transmissions accord to a second periodicity that is updated based at least in part on transmitting the second UE assistance information message (a UE adapts an SRS carrier-based switching configuration in order to minimize or avoid interruption in subframes containing critical signals; M1 is shorter than the measurement period (T2) belonging to M2 (i.e., T2>T1); Performing the measurement so that the impact of the SRS carrier based switching is reduced, minimized)].
As per claim 5, Kazmi discloses the UE of claim 4,
wherein the second periodicity is the same as the configured periodicity [paragraphs 0131, 0160-0166, 0177, 0267, wherein the second periodicity is the same as the configured periodicity (UE may further determine a second set of time resources (R2) used for doing another measurement on another cell (e.g., cell3) on F1. Examples of R2 are the same as described above for R1; Adapting SRS configuration e.g. periodicity and/or bandwidth of the SRS)].
As per claim 6, Kazmi discloses the UE of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively further operable to execute the code to cause the UE to:
receive, in response to transmitting the UE assistance information message, a control message indicating the periodicity [paragraphs 0015, 0161-0166, 0196-0202, 0262-0268, receive, in response to transmitting the UE assistance information message, a control message indicating the periodicity (UE may adapt any one or more of the SRS carrier based switching configuration parameters; the network node uses one or more results of the adaptive SRS carrier-based switching; adapting the measurement configuration and transmitting the adapted measurement configuration to the UE)]; and
update the configured periodicity to the periodicity based at least in part on receiving the control message [paragraphs 0015, 0161-0166, 0196-0202, 0262-0268, update the configured periodicity to the periodicity based at least in part on receiving the control message (UE may adapt any one or more of the SRS carrier based switching configuration parameters; the network node uses one or more results of the adaptive SRS carrier-based switching; adapting the measurement configuration and transmitting the adapted measurement configuration to the UE)].
As per claim 7, Kazmi discloses the UE of claim 1, wherein:
the one or more performance metrics comprise at least one of an uplink buffer size at the UE, a rate at which the uplink buffer size at the UE increases, a block error rate associated with uplink communications at the UE, a path loss associated with the uplink communications at the UE, a downlink channel estimation obtained by the UE, a rank associated with downlink communications at the UE, a signal-to-noise ratio associated with the UE, or a combination thereof [paragraphs 0051, 0126, 0270, 0271, the one or more performance metrics comprise at least one of a downlink channel estimation obtained by the UE, a rank associated with downlink communications at the UE, a signal-to-noise ratio associated with the UE, or a combination thereof (measurements include, but are not limited to: Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR), Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio (SINR), received interference power (RIP), block error rate (BLER); UE shall estimate the downlink radio link quality and compare it to the thresholds for the purpose of monitoring downlink radio link quality)], and
the threshold value comprises at least one of a threshold uplink buffer size, a threshold rate at which the uplink buffer size at the UE increases, a threshold block error rate associated with the uplink communications at the UE, a threshold path loss value associated with the uplink communications at the UE, a threshold downlink channel estimation value, a threshold rank value associated with the UE, a threshold signal-to-noise ratio associated with the UE, or a combination thereof [paragraphs 0051, 0126, 0270, 0271, the threshold value comprises at least one of a threshold downlink channel estimation value, a threshold rank value associated with the UE, a threshold signal-to-noise ratio associated with the UE, or a combination thereof (measurements include, but are not limited to: Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR), Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio (SINR), received interference power (RIP), block error rate (BLER); UE shall estimate the downlink radio link quality and compare it to the thresholds for the purpose of monitoring downlink radio link quality)].
As per claim 8, Kazmi discloses the UE of claim 1,
wherein the request to modify the configured periodicity comprises an indication of the periodicity [paragraphs 0146, 0155, 0156, 0231-0234, 0260, wherein the request to modify the configured periodicity comprises an indication of the periodicity (a configuration sent to the UE (e.g., request for adapting the SRS based carrier switching while performing the measurement))].
As per claim 9, Kazmi discloses the UE of claim 1,
wherein the request to modify the configured periodicity comprises a request to decrease the configured periodicity [paragraphs 0161, 0162, 0212-0220, 0257-0260, 0357, wherein the request to modify the configured periodicity comprises a request to decrease the configured periodicity (a configuration sent to the UE (e.g., request for adapting the SRS based carrier switching while performing the measurement); measurement period (T1) over which the measurement is performed belonging to M1 is shorter than the measurement period (T2) belonging to M2; Periodicity of signals to be measured: measurement sample periodicity)].
As per claim 10, Kazmi discloses the UE of claim 1,
wherein the periodicity is less than the configured periodicity [paragraphs 0103, 0104, 0155, 0212-0220, 0257, wherein the periodicity is less than the configured periodicity (measurement period (T1) over which the measurement is performed belonging to M1 is shorter than the measurement period (T2))].
As per claim 21, Kazmi discloses a method for wireless communication by a user equipment (UE) [Abstract, fig. 3, 9, paragraphs 0067, 0112, 0328, a method for wireless communication by a user equipment (a method in a user equipment; wireless device 110 may also be referred to as UE)], comprising:
receiving control signaling indicating a carrier aggregation configuration for a set of component carriers, the set of component carriers including at least a primary carrier configured for frequency domain duplexed communications and a secondary carrier configured for time domain duplexed communications [fig. 3, 5, paragraphs 0010, 0011, 0013, 0022, 0063, 0064, 0120, 0131, 0143, 0292, receiving control signaling indicating a carrier aggregation configuration for a set of component carriers, the set of component carriers including at least a primary carrier configured for frequency domain duplexed communications and a secondary carrier configured for time domain duplexed communications (a CC (aggregated carrier), PCC or SCC is configured at the UE by the network node using higher layer signaling; a UE may be capable of aggregating more than one unlicensed carriers; the CA combinations can be Time Division Duplex, TDD-TDD and/or Frequency Division Duplex, FDD-TDD)];
monitoring one or more performance metrics associated with communications at the UE [paragraphs 0022, 0024, 0120, 0168, 0285, monitoring one or more performance metrics associated with communications at the UE (the UE may perform the measurements on the cells on the primary component carrier (PCC) as well as on the cells on one or more secondary component carriers (SCCs))];
transmitting a UE assistance information message indicating a request to modify a configured periodicity of sounding reference signal (SRS) transmissions by the UE via the secondary carrier based at least in part on detecting that a performance metric of the one or more performance metrics satisfying a threshold value [paragraphs 0104-0107, 0156, 0208-0220, 0235-0238, transmitting a UE assistance information message indicating a request to modify a configured periodicity of sounding reference signal (SRS) transmissions by the UE via the secondary carrier based at least in part on detecting that a performance metric of the one or more performance metrics satisfying a threshold value (capability related to the UE's ability to adapt SRS switching in order to reduce, minimize or avoid interruption on critical signals used for performing measurements; adaptively performing SRS carrier-based switching for transmitting SRS on a second cell (cell2) operating on a second carrier frequency (F2) based on the determined first set of reference time resources)]; and
communicating, via the secondary carrier, one or more SRS transmissions according to a periodicity that is updated based at least in part on transmitting the UE assistance information message [paragraphs 0013, 0104-0107, 0156, 0180, 0208-0220, 0235-0238, 0267, communicating, via the secondary carrier, one or more SRS transmissions accord to a periodicity that is updated based at least in part on transmitting the UE assistance information message (the UE is to adaptively perform SRS carrier-based switching for transmitting SRS on a second cell (cell2) operating on a second carrier frequency (F2); the SRS carrier-based switching for transmitting SRS on cell2 belonging to F2 may be performed by the UE based on one or more of the following mechanisms: autonomously, based on the assistance data from another node (e.g., from a network node or from another UE))].
As per claim 22, Kazmi discloses the method of claim 21, wherein monitoring the one or more performance metrics comprises:
monitoring the one or more performance metrics in accordance with a monitoring periodicity that is based at least in part on a coherence time associated with the UE [paragraphs 0068, 0160-0166, 0180, 0232, 0233, monitoring the one or more performance metrics in accordance with a monitoring periodicity that is based at least in part on a coherence time associated with the UE (timer in the first node indicating that the SRS carrier based switching needs to be performed (e.g., for periodic or scheduled measurements); performing the measurement may be based on one or more of the following mechanism: periodicity of signals to be measured)].
As per claim 23, Kazmi discloses the method of claim 22, further comprising:
detecting, after updating the periodicity and based at least in part on the monitoring, that at least one performance metric of the one or more performance metrics fails to satisfy the threshold value [paragraphs 0103, 0105, 0142, 0155-0156, 0217-0220, detecting, after updating the periodicity and based at least in part on the monitoring, that at least one performance metric of the one or more performance metrics fails to satisfy the threshold value (a UE adapts an SRS carrier-based switching configuration in order to minimize or avoid interruption in subframes containing critical signals; M1 is shorter than the measurement period (T2) belonging to M2 (i.e., T2>T1); Performing the measurement so that the impact of the SRS carrier based switching is reduced, minimized)]; and
communicating, via the secondary carrier, a second one or more SRS transmissions according to the configured periodicity based at least in part on the at least one performance metric failing to satisfy the threshold value [paragraphs 0103, 0105, 0142, 0217-0220, communicating, via the secondary carrier, a second one or more SRS transmissions accord to the configured periodicity based at least in part on the at least one performance metric failing to satisfy the threshold value (a UE adapts an SRS carrier-based switching configuration in order to minimize or avoid interruption in subframes containing critical signals; M1 is shorter than the measurement period (T2) belonging to M2 (i.e., T2>T1); Performing the measurement so that the impact of the SRS carrier based switching is reduced, minimized)].
As per claim 24, Kazmi discloses the method of claim 22, further comprising:
detecting, after updating the periodicity and based at least in part on the monitoring, that at least one performance metric of the one or more performance metrics fails to satisfy the threshold value [paragraphs 0103, 0105, 0142, 0155-0156, 0217-0220, detecting, after updating the periodicity and based at least in part on the monitoring, that at least one performance metric of the one or more performance metrics fails to satisfy the threshold value (a UE adapts an SRS carrier-based switching configuration in order to minimize or avoid interruption in subframes containing critical signals; M1 is shorter than the measurement period (T2) belonging to M2 (i.e., T2>T1); Performing the measurement so that the impact of the SRS carrier based switching is reduced, minimized))];
transmitting a second UE assistance information message indicating a second request to update the periodicity of the SRS transmissions by the UE via the secondary carrier based at least in part on the at least one performance metric failing to satisfy the threshold value [paragraphs 0104-0107, 0156, 0208-0220, 0235-0238, transmitting a second UE assistance information message indicating a second request to update the periodicity of the SRS transmissions by the UE via the secondary carrier based at least in part on the at least one performance metric failing to satisfy the threshold value (capability related to the UE's ability to adapt SRS switching in order to reduce, minimize or avoid interruption on critical signals used for performing measurements; adaptively performing SRS carrier-based switching for transmitting SRS on a second cell (cell2) operating on a second carrier frequency (F2) based on the determined first set of reference time resources)]; and
communicating, via the secondary carrier, a second one or more SRS transmissions according to a second periodicity that is updated based at least in part on transmitting the second UE assistance information message [paragraphs 0103, 0105, 0142, 0217-0220, communicating, via the secondary carrier, a second one or more SRS transmissions accord to a second periodicity that is updated based at least in part on transmitting the second UE assistance information message (a UE adapts an SRS carrier-based switching configuration in order to minimize or avoid interruption in subframes containing critical signals; M1 is shorter than the measurement period (T2) belonging to M2 (i.e., T2>T1); Performing the measurement so that the impact of the SRS carrier based switching is reduced, minimized)].
As per claim 25, Kazmi discloses the method of claim 24,
wherein the second periodicity is the same as the configured periodicity [paragraphs 0131, 0160-0166, 0177, 0267, wherein the second periodicity is the same as the configured periodicity (UE may further determine a second set of time resources (R2) used for doing another measurement on another cell (e.g., cell3) on F1. Examples of R2 are the same as described above for R1; Adapting SRS configuration e.g. periodicity and/or bandwidth of the SRS)].
As per claim 26, Kazmi discloses the method of claim 21, further comprising:
receiving, in response to transmitting the UE assistance information message, a control message indicating the periodicity [paragraphs 0015, 0161-0166, 0196-0202, 0262-0268, receiving, in response to transmitting the UE assistance information message, a control message indicating the periodicity (UE may adapt any one or more of the SRS carrier based switching configuration parameters; the network node uses one or more results of the adaptive SRS carrier-based switching; adapting the measurement configuration and transmitting the adapted measurement configuration to the UE)]; and
updating the configured periodicity to the periodicity based at least in part on receiving the control message [paragraphs 0015, 0161-0166, 0196-0202, 0262-0268, updating the configured periodicity to the periodicity based at least in part on receiving the control message (UE may adapt any one or more of the SRS carrier based switching configuration parameters; the network node uses one or more results of the adaptive SRS carrier-based switching; adapting the measurement configuration and transmitting the adapted measurement configuration to the UE)].
As per claim 27, Kazmi discloses the method of claim 21, wherein:
the one or more performance metrics comprise at least one of an uplink buffer size at the UE, a rate at which the uplink buffer size at the UE increases, a block error rate associated with uplink communications at the UE, a path loss associated with the uplink communications at the UE, a downlink channel estimation obtained by the UE, a rank associated with downlink communications at the UE, a signal-to-noise ratio associated with the UE, or a combination thereof [paragraphs 0051, 0126, 0270, 0271, the one or more performance metrics comprise at least one of a downlink channel estimation obtained by the UE, a rank associated with downlink communications at the UE, a signal-to-noise ratio associated with the UE, or a combination thereof (measurements include, but are not limited to: Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR), Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio (SINR), received interference power (RIP), block error rate (BLER); UE shall estimate the downlink radio link quality and compare it to the thresholds for the purpose of monitoring downlink radio link quality)], and
the threshold value comprises at least one of a threshold uplink buffer size, a threshold rate at which the uplink buffer size at the UE increases, a threshold block error rate associated with the uplink communications at the UE, a threshold path loss value associated with the uplink communications at the UE, a threshold downlink channel estimation value, a threshold rank value associated with the UE, a threshold signal-to-noise ratio associated with the UE, or a combination thereof [paragraphs 0051, 0126, 0270, 0271, the threshold value comprises at least one of a threshold downlink channel estimation value, a threshold rank value associated with the UE, a threshold signal-to-noise ratio associated with the UE, or a combination thereof (measurements include, but are not limited to: Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR), Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio (SINR), received interference power (RIP), block error rate (BLER); UE shall estimate the downlink radio link quality and compare it to the thresholds for the purpose of monitoring downlink radio link quality)].
As per claim 28, Kazmi discloses the method of claim 21,
wherein the request to modify the configured periodicity comprises an indication of the periodicity [paragraphs 0146, 0155, 0156, 0231-0234, 0260, wherein the request to modify the configured periodicity comprises an indication of the periodicity (a configuration sent to the UE (e.g., request for adapting the SRS based carrier switching while performing the measurement))].
As per claim 29, Kazmi discloses the method of claim 21,
wherein the request to modify the configured periodicity comprises a request to decrease the configured periodicity [paragraphs 0161, 0162, 0212-0220, 0257-0260, 0357, wherein the request to modify the configured periodicity comprises a request to decrease the configured periodicity (a configuration sent to the UE (e.g., request for adapting the SRS based carrier switching while performing the measurement); measurement period (T1) over which the measurement is performed belonging to M1 is shorter than the measurement period (T2) belonging to M2; Periodicity of signals to be measured: measurement sample periodicity)].
As per claim 30, Kazmi discloses the method of claim 21,
wherein the periodicity is less than the configured periodicity [paragraphs 0103, 0104, 0155, 0212-0220, 0257, wherein the periodicity is less than the configured periodicity (measurement period (T1) over which the measurement is performed belonging to M1 is shorter than the measurement period (T2))].
As per claim 31, Kazmi discloses a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code comprising instructions which, when executed by one or more processors [fig. 9, paragraphs 0328-0330, a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code comprising instructions which, when executed by one or more processors (processor 920 executes instructions to provide some or all of the functionality described above as being provided by wireless device 110, and memory 930 stores the instructions executed by processor 920)], cause a user equipment (UE) to:
receive control signaling indicating a carrier aggregation configuration for a set of component carriers, the set of component carriers including at least a primary carrier configured for frequency domain duplexed communications and a secondary carrier configured for time domain duplexed communications [fig. 3, 5, paragraphs 0010, 0011, 0013, 0022, 0063, 0064, 0120, 0131, 0143, 0292, receive control signaling indicating a carrier aggregation configuration for a set of component carriers, the set of component carriers including at least a primary carrier configured for frequency domain duplexed communications and a secondary carrier configured for time domain duplexed communications (a CC (aggregated carrier), PCC or SCC is configured at the UE by the network node using higher layer signaling; a UE may be capable of aggregating more than one unlicensed carriers; the CA combinations can be Time Division Duplex, TDD-TDD and/or Frequency Division Duplex, FDD-TDD)];
monitor one or more performance metrics associated with communications at the UE [paragraphs 0022, 0024, 0120, 0168, 0285, monitor one or more performance metrics associated with communications at the UE (the UE may perform the measurements on the cells on the primary component carrier (PCC) as well as on the cells on one or more secondary component carriers (SCCs))];
transmit a UE assistance information message indicating a request to modify a configured periodicity of sounding reference signal (SRS) transmissions by the UE via the secondary carrier based at least in part on detecting that a performance metric of the one or more performance metrics satisfying a threshold value [paragraphs 0104-0107, 0156, 0208-0220, 0235-0238, transmit a UE assistance information message indicating a request to modify a configured periodicity of sounding reference signal (SRS) transmissions by the UE via the secondary carrier based at least in part on detecting that a performance metric of the one or more performance metrics satisfying a threshold value (capability related to the UE's ability to adapt SRS switching in order to reduce, minimize or avoid interruption on critical signals used for performing measurements; adaptively performing SRS carrier-based switching for transmitting SRS on a second cell (cell2) operating on a second carrier frequency (F2) based on the determined first set of reference time resources)]; and
communicate, via the secondary carrier, one or more SRS transmissions accord to a periodicity that is updated based at least in part on transmitting the UE assistance information message [paragraphs 0013, 0104-0107, 0156, 0180, 0208-0220, 0235-0238, 0267, communicate, via the secondary carrier, one or more SRS transmissions accord to a periodicity that is updated based at least in part on transmitting the UE assistance information message (the UE is to adaptively perform SRS carrier-based switching for transmitting SRS on a second cell (cell2) operating on a second carrier frequency (F2); the SRS carrier-based switching for transmitting SRS on cell2 belonging to F2 may be performed by the UE based on one or more of the following mechanisms: autonomously, based on the assistance data from another node (e.g., from a network node or from another UE))].
As per claim 32, Kazmi discloses the non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 31, wherein, to monitor the one or more performance metrics, the code further comprises instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the UE to:
monitor the one or more performance metrics in accordance with a monitoring periodicity that is based at least in part on a coherence time associated with the UE [paragraphs 0068, 0160-0166, 0180, 0232, 0233, monitor the one or more performance metrics in accordance with a monitoring periodicity that is based at least in part on a coherence time associated with the UE (timer in the first node indicating that the SRS carrier based switching needs to be performed (e.g., for periodic or scheduled measurements); performing the measurement may be based on one or more of the following mechanism: periodicity of signals to be measured)].
As per claim 33, Kazmi discloses the non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 32, wherein the code further comprises instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the UE to:
detect, after updating the periodicity and based at least in part on the monitoring, that at least one performance metric of the one or more performance metrics fails to satisfy the threshold value [paragraphs 0103, 0105, 0142, 0155-0156, 0217-0220, detect, after updating the periodicity and based at least in part on the monitoring, that at least one performance metric of the one or more performance metrics fails to satisfy the threshold value (a UE adapts an SRS carrier-based switching configuration in order to minimize or avoid interruption in subframes containing critical signals; M1 is shorter than the measurement period (T2) belonging to M2 (i.e., T2>T1); Performing the measurement so that the impact of the SRS carrier based switching is reduced, minimized)]; and
communicate, via the secondary carrier, a second one or more SRS transmissions accord to the configured periodicity based at least in part on the at least one performance metric failing to satisfy the threshold value [paragraphs 0103, 0105, 0142, 0217-0220, communicate, via the secondary carrier, a second one or more SRS transmissions accord to the configured periodicity based at least in part on the at least one performance metric failing to satisfy the threshold value (a UE adapts an SRS carrier-based switching configuration in order to minimize or avoid interruption in subframes containing critical signals; M1 is shorter than the measurement period (T2) belonging to M2 (i.e., T2>T1); Performing the measurement so that the impact of the SRS carrier based switching is reduced, minimized)].
As per claim 34, Kazmi discloses the non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 32, wherein the code further comprises instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the UE to:
detect, after updating the periodicity and based at least in part on the monitoring, that at least one performance metric of the one or more performance metrics fails to satisfy the threshold value [paragraphs 0103, 0105, 0142, 0155-0156, 0217-0220, detect, after updating the periodicity and based at least in part on the monitoring, that at least one performance metric of the one or more performance metrics fails to satisfy the threshold value (a UE adapts an SRS carrier-based switching configuration in order to minimize or avoid interruption in subframes containing critical signals; M1 is shorter than the measurement period (T2) belonging to M2 (i.e., T2>T1); Performing the measurement so that the impact of the SRS carrier based switching is reduced, minimized))];
transmit a second UE assistance information message indicating a second request to update the periodicity of the SRS transmissions by the UE via the secondary carrier based at least in part on the at least one performance metric failing to satisfy the threshold value [paragraphs 0104-0107, 0156, 0208-0220, 0235-0238, transmit a second UE assistance information message indicating a second request to update the periodicity of the SRS transmissions by the UE via the secondary carrier based at least in part on the at least one performance metric failing to satisfy the threshold value (capability related to the UE's ability to adapt SRS switching in order to reduce, minimize or avoid interruption on critical signals used for performing measurements; adaptively performing SRS carrier-based switching for transmitting SRS on a second cell (cell2) operating on a second carrier frequency (F2) based on the determined first set of reference time resources)]; and
communicate, via the secondary carrier, a second one or more SRS transmissions accord to a second periodicity that is updated based at least in part on transmitting the second UE assistance information message [paragraphs 0103, 0105, 0142, 0217-0220, communicate, via the secondary carrier, a second one or more SRS transmissions accord to a second periodicity that is updated based at least in part on transmitting the second UE assistance information message (a UE adapts an SRS carrier-based switching configuration in order to minimize or avoid interruption in subframes containing critical signals; M1 is shorter than the measurement period (T2) belonging to M2 (i.e., T2>T1); Performing the measurement so that the impact of the SRS carrier based switching is reduced, minimized)].
As per claim 35, Kazmi discloses the non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 34,
wherein the second periodicity is the same as the configured periodicity [paragraphs 0131, 0160-0166, 0177, 0267, wherein the second periodicity is the same as the configured periodicity (UE may further determine a second set of time resources (R2) used for doing another measurement on another cell (e.g., cell3) on F1. Examples of R2 are the same as described above for R1; Adapting SRS configuration e.g. periodicity and/or bandwidth of the SRS)].
As per claim 36, Kazmi discloses the non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 31, wherein the code further comprises instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the UE to:
receive, in response to transmitting the UE assistance information message, a control message indicating the periodicity [paragraphs 0015, 0161-0166, 0196-0202, 0262-0268, receive, in response to transmitting the UE assistance information message, a control message indicating the periodicity (UE may adapt any one or more of the SRS carrier based switching configuration parameters; the network node uses one or more results of the adaptive SRS carrier-based switching; adapting the measurement configuration and transmitting the adapted measurement configuration to the UE)]; and
update the configured periodicity to the periodicity based at least in part on receiving the control message [paragraphs 0015, 0161-0166, 0196-0202, 0262-0268, update the configured periodicity to the periodicity based at least in part on receiving the control message (UE may adapt any one or more of the SRS carrier based switching configuration parameters; the network node uses one or more results of the adaptive SRS carrier-based switching; adapting the measurement configuration and transmitting the adapted measurement configuration to the UE)].
As per claim 37, Kazmi discloses the non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 31, wherein:
the one or more performance metrics comprise at least one of an uplink buffer size at the UE a rate at which the uplink buffer size at the UE increases, a block error rate associated with uplink communications at the UE, a path loss associated with the uplink communications at the UE, a downlink channel estimation obtained by the UE, a rank associated with downlink communications at the UE, a signal-to-noise ratio associated with the UE, or a combination thereof, and
the threshold value comprises at least one of a threshold uplink buffer size, a threshold rate at which the uplink buffer size at the UE increases, a threshold block error rate associated with the uplink communications at the UE, a threshold path loss value associated with the uplink communications at the UE, a threshold downlink channel estimation value, a threshold rank value associated with the UE, a threshold signal-to-noise ratio associated with the UE, or a combination thereof.
As per claim 38, Kazmi discloses the non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 31,
wherein the request to modify the configured periodicity comprises an indication of the periodicity [paragraphs 0146, 0155, 0156, 0231-0234, 0260, wherein the request to modify the configured periodicity comprises an indication of the periodicity (a configuration sent to the UE (e.g., request for adapting the SRS based carrier switching while performing the measurement))].
As per claim 39, Kazmi discloses the non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 31,
wherein the request to modify the configured periodicity comprises a request to decrease the configured periodicity [paragraphs 0161, 0162, 0212-0220, 0257-0260, 0357, wherein the request to modify the configured periodicity comprises a request to decrease the configured periodicity (a configuration sent to the UE (e.g., request for adapting the SRS based carrier switching while performing the measurement); measurement period (T1) over which the measurement is performed belonging to M1 is shorter than the measurement period (T2) belonging to M2; Periodicity of signals to be measured: measurement sample periodicity)].
As per claim 40, Kazmi discloses a user equipment (UE) [Abstract, fig. 3, 9, paragraphs 0067, 0112, 0328, a user equipment (wireless device 110 may also be referred to as UE)],, comprising:
means for receiving control signaling indicating a carrier aggregation configuration for a set of component carriers, the set of component carriers including at least a primary carrier configured for frequency domain duplexed communications and a secondary carrier configured for time domain duplexed communications [fig. 3, 5, paragraphs 0010, 0011, 0013, 0022, 0063, 0064, 0120, 0131, 0143, 0292, means for receiving control signaling indicating a carrier aggregation configuration for a set of component carriers, the set of component carriers including at least a primary carrier configured for frequency domain duplexed communications and a secondary carrier configured for time domain duplexed communications (a CC (aggregated carrier), PCC or SCC is configured at the UE by the network node using higher layer signaling; a UE may be capable of aggregating more than one unlicensed carriers; the CA combinations can be Time Division Duplex, TDD-TDD and/or Frequency Division Duplex, FDD-TDD)];
means for monitoring one or more performance metrics associated with communications at the UE [paragraphs 0022, 0024, 0120, 0168, 0285, means for monitoring one or more performance metrics associated with communications at the UE (the UE may perform the measurements on the cells on the primary component carrier (PCC) as well as on the cells on one or more secondary component carriers (SCCs))];
means for transmitting a UE assistance information message indicating a request to modify a configured periodicity of sounding reference signal (SRS) transmissions by the UE via the secondary carrier based at least in part on detecting that a performance metric of the one or more performance metrics satisfying a threshold value [paragraphs 0104-0107, 0156, 0208-0220, 0235-0238, means for transmitting a UE assistance information message indicating a request to modify a configured periodicity of sounding reference signal (SRS) transmissions by the UE via the secondary carrier based at least in part on detecting that a performance metric of the one or more performance metrics satisfying a threshold value (capability related to the UE's ability to adapt SRS switching in order to reduce, minimize or avoid interruption on critical signals used for performing measurements; adaptively performing SRS carrier-based switching for transmitting SRS on a second cell (cell2) operating on a second carrier frequency (F2) based on the determined first set of reference time resources)]; and
means for communicating, via the secondary carrier, one or more SRS transmissions according to a periodicity that is updated based at least in part on transmitting the UE assistance information message [paragraphs 0013, 0104-0107, 0156, 0180, 0208-0220, 0235-0238, 0267, means for communicating, via the secondary carrier, one or more SRS transmissions accord to a periodicity that is updated based at least in part on transmitting the UE assistance information message (the UE is to adaptively perform SRS carrier-based switching for transmitting SRS on a second cell (cell2) operating on a second carrier frequency (F2); the SRS carrier-based switching for transmitting SRS on cell2 belonging to F2 may be performed by the UE based on one or more of the following mechanisms: autonomously, based on the assistance data from another node (e.g., from a network node or from another UE))].
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Takeda et al., U.S. Publication No. 2021/0410120 discloses carrier aggregation may be used with both frequency division duplexing (FDD) and time division duplexing (TDD) component carriers.
Rico Alvarino et al., U.S. Publication No. 2020/0196331 discloses identify a capability of a UE to transmit on a first carrier of a CA configuration and a second carrier of the CA configuration.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JACKIE ZUNIGA ABAD whose telephone number is (571)270-7194. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:00pm.
Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, IAN MOORE can be reached at 571-272-3085. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
/JACKIE ZUNIGA ABAD/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2469