MIDETAILED ACTION
The following is a non final office action in response to applicant’s remarks submitted on 05/29/2026 for response of the office action mailed on 03/09/2026. Independent claims 1, 7 and 14 are amended. Claims 13 and 20 were cancelled. Therefore, claims 1-12 and 14-19 are pending and addressed below.
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 .
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 06/09/2026 has been entered.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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.
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 factual inquiries set forth in Graham v. John Deere Co., 383 U.S. 1, 148 USPQ 459 (1966), that are applied for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
Claims 1, 4-7, 10-12, 14 and 17-19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Muruganathan et al. (2023/0291441, provisional 63/050,550 before the EFD of the instant application, used in the instant office action, see PTO-892), Muruganathan550 hereinafter, in view of TOSATO et al. (2023/0412225), TOSATO hereinafter.
Re. claims 1 and 7, Muruganathan550 teaches a communication method (Fig.8-9/Fig.11 & ¶0040/¶0042/¶0079/¶0088-¶0089), and a communication apparatus (Fig. 15), comprising: at least one processor (Fig. 15, 1502), and one or more memories (Fig. 15, 1504) coupled to the at least one processor and storing programming instructions for execution by the at least one processor to perform operations (Fig. 15 & ¶0104-¶0105) comprising: receiving first information, that indicates first group configuration information and second group configuration information (Fig.8-9/Fig.11 & ¶0040 - methods for signaling a selected subset of frequency domain (FD) basis vectors among a full set of FD basis and/or a selected subset of CSI-RS ports among a full set of CSI-RS ports by gNB to a UE are proposed. Solutions based on both medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) signaling and downlink control information (DCI) signaling are proposed to reduce overhead associated with signaling the subset of FD basis vectors and/or CSI-RS ports. Fig.8-9/Fig.11 & ¶0042 - A method for signaling to the UE from the network a selected subset of frequency domain (FD) basis vectors among a full set N3 of frequency domain (FD) basis, wherein the FD basis vectors are a set of orthogonal complex vectors with length equal to N3, the method comprising: the UE using the indicated FD basis vectors to compute a CSI corresponding to an enhanced type II port selection codebook. Fig.8-9/Fig.11 & ¶0079 - the number of selected FD basis vectors may be indicated in a MAC CE per layer or per a group of layers. Figure 11 is an exemplary MAC CE configured according to another embodiment of the present disclosure for indicating the selected subset of FD basis vectors from the network node to the wireless device. As shown in Figure 11, for each layer l (l = 1, .... ,v), a field F:l),n E {0,1, ... ,N3 -1} consisting of a bitmap of bits (or rN3/ 81 octets) are used to indicate the selected subset of FD basis vectors for CSI feedback with a type II port selection codebook with l layers. Fig.8-9/Fig.11 & ¶0088 - ports with non-zero power are always mapped to the first L CSI-RS ports in the N-port NZP CSI-RS resource. Thus, the value of either L or N-L is signaled to the UE. Since the NZP CSI-RS resource can always be selected such that L > N-L, signaling N-L can have a smaller overhead. Considering N=4,8,12,16,24,32 are supported in NR for Type II port selection codebook, maximum 3 bits are enough in DCI to signal N-L inactive ports. Fig. 11 & ¶0089 - The signaling can be done in either DCI or MAC CE. In case of MAC CE, alternatively a bitmap of Pcsi-Rs/2 bits may be used, where each bit is associated with a CSI-RS port in each of the two polarizations. A pair of non-zero power CSI-RS ports in different polarizations can be indicated by setting the corresponding bit to "1" in the Pcsi-Rs/2 bits. This would provide more flexibility in case the N CSI-RS ports may be shared by multiple UEs and different UEs may use different CSI-RS ports.), the first group configuration information indicates a correspondence between P reference signal ports and Z layers (Fig.8-9/Fig.11 & ¶0079 - the number of selected FD basis vectors may be indicated in a MAC CE per layer or per a group of layers. Figure 11 is an exemplary MAC CE configured according to another embodiment of the present disclosure for indicating the selected subset of FD basis vectors from the network node to the wireless device. As shown in Figure 11, for each layer l (l = 1, .... ,v), a field F:l),n E {0,1, ... ,N3 -1} consisting of a bitmap of bits (or rN3/ 81 octets) are used to indicate the selected subset of FD basis vectors for CSI feedback with a type II port selection codebook with l layers. Fig.8-9/Fig.11 & ¶0088 - ports with non-zero power are always mapped to the first L CSI-RS ports in the N-port NZP CSI-RS resource. Thus, the value of either L or N-L is signaled to the UE. Since the NZP CSI-RS resource can always be selected such that L > N-L, signaling N-L can have a smaller overhead. Considering N=4,8,12,16,24,32 are supported in NR for Type II port selection codebook, maximum 3 bits are enough in DCI to signal N-L inactive ports. Fig.8-9/Fig.11 & ¶0089 - The signaling can be done in either DCI or MAC CE. In case of MAC CE, alternatively a bitmap of Pcsi-Rs/2 bits may be used, where each bit is associated with a CSI-RS port in each of the two polarizations. A pair of non-zero power CSI-RS ports in different polarizations can be indicated by setting the corresponding bit to "1" in the Pcsi-Rs/2 bits. This would provide more flexibility in case the N CSI-RS ports may be shared by multiple UEs and different UEs may use different CSI-RS ports.), and the second group configuration information indicates a correspondence between N frequency domain base vectors and the Z layers (Fig.8-9/Fig.11 & ¶0042 - A method for signaling to the UE from the network a selected subset of frequency domain (FD) basis vectors among a full set N3 of frequency domain (FD) basis, wherein the FD basis vectors are a set of orthogonal complex vectors with length equal to N3, the method comprising: the UE using the indicated FD basis vectors to compute a CSI corresponding to an enhanced type II port selection codebook. Fig.8-9/Fig.11 & ¶0079 - the number of selected FD basis vectors may be indicated in a MAC CE per layer or per a group of layers. Figure 11 is an exemplary MAC CE configured according to another embodiment of the present disclosure for indicating the selected subset of FD basis vectors from the network node to the wireless device. As shown in Figure 11, for each layer l (l = 1, .... ,v), a field F:l),n E {0,1, ... ,N3 -1} consisting of a bitmap of bits (or rN3/ 81 octets) are used to indicate the selected subset of FD basis vectors for CSI feedback with a type II port selection codebook with l layers.), wherein P, N, and Z are positive integers greater than or equal to 1 (See ¶0088-¶0089, ¶0042/¶0079/¶0088-¶0089 along with Fig.8-9/Fig.11, CSI-RS does have plurality of ports, along with as shown in Figure 11, for each layer l (l = 1, .... ,v), a field F:l),n E {0,1, ... ,N3 -1} consisting of a bitmap of bits (or rN3/ 81 octets) are used to indicate the selected subset of FD basis vectors for CSI feedback with a type II port selection codebook with l layers as disclosed supra);
PNG
media_image2.png
266
882
media_image2.png
Greyscale
and sending a precoding matrix indicator (PMI) corresponding to the Z layers, wherein the PMI is determined based on calculating a PMI for each layer of the Z layers using the reference signal ports or the frequency domain base vectors corresponding to said each layer as indicated by the first information. (Fig. 4-6/Fig.8-9/Fig.11 & ¶0025 - Frequency-domain compression matrix wf,l: wf,l is a size N3 x Mv FD-domain compression matrix for layer l, where: For each layer, FD basis selection is indicated with a
PNG
media_image3.png
48
154
media_image3.png
Greyscale
combinatorial indicator. In TS 38.214, the combinatorial indicator is given by the index i1,6, l where l corresponds to the layer index. This combinatorial index is reported by UE to the gNB per layer per PMI. Fig.8-9/Fig.11 & ¶0042 - where the UE uses a subset of the indicated FD basis vectors to compute the CSI. … where the UE may report one or more of the indices i1,5 and i1,6, l as part of the enhanced type II port selection PMI report. Fig. 4-6/Fig.8-9/Fig.11 & ¶0031: ¶0032 - In Step 3. gNB has configured the UE to measure an CSI-RS, and the UE measures the received CSI-RS ports and then determines a type II CSI including RI, PMI for each layer and CQI. The precoding matrix indicated by the PMI includes the selected beams (e.g., the precoded CSI-RS ports) and the corresponding best phase and amplitude for co-phasing the selected beams. The phase and amplitude for each beam are quantized and feed-back to the gNB. In Step 4, the gNB implementation algorithm computes the DL precoding matrix per layer based on the selected beams and the corresponding amplitude and phase feedback and performs PDSCH transmission. The transmission is based on the feed-back (PMI) precoding matrices directly (e.g., SU-MIMO transmission) or the transmission precoding matrix is obtained from an algorithm combining CSI feedback from multiple UEs (MU-MIMO transmission). In this case, a precoder derived based on the precoding matrices (including the CSI reports from co-scheduled UEs). Fig. 4-6/Fig.8-9/Fig.11 & ¶0072 - If the UE indicates an RI equal to either 3 or 4, then the UE will use a subset of the Mmax FD basis vectors indicated in the MAC CE for type II port selection CSI feedback. Hence, in this case, the UE performs FD basis selection from only among the Mmax FD basis vectors indicated in the MAC CE instead of the total number N3 of frequency-domain bases which reduces the complexity at the UE. Note that in this case, the UE may report one or more of the indices i1,5 and i1,6, l as part of the rel-16 type II port selection PMI report. Fig. 4-6/Fig.8-9/Fig.11 & ¶0074 - when a subset of FD basis vectors among the Mmax FD basis vectors indicated in the MAC CE are selected by the UE, the combinatorial coefficient 10 table C(x,y) in Table 5.2.2.2.5-4 of 3GPP TS 38.214 is used when identifying the one or more i1,6, l which are to be reported by the UE as part of the Rel-16 type II port selection PMI report. See snapshots below including steps as outlined as shown in Fig4 & Fig. 8 next.).
PNG
media_image4.png
495
905
media_image4.png
Greyscale
PNG
media_image5.png
591
687
media_image5.png
Greyscale
Yet, Muruganathan550 does not expressly teach wherein the at least one of the first group configuration information or the second group configuration information is determined based on K angle-delay pairs obtained by performing channel decomposition on uplink channel information, and K is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1.
However, in the analogous art, TOSATO explicitly discloses wherein the at least one of the first group configuration information or the second group configuration information is determined based on K angle-delay pairs obtained by performing channel decomposition on uplink channel information, and K is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1 (Fig. 1-10 & ¶0006 - a method for multi-channel communications, the method comprising: precoding, based on sounding reference signal received from a communication device, reference signal ports in spatial and frequency domain by determining pairs of spatial and frequency domain components where the frequency domain components are arranged in clusters comprising one or more frequency domain components, and pairing of at least one of the spatial domain components with at least two clusters of frequency domain components is enabled; sending information of the precoding to the other communication device; and combining the precoding with a report of precoding received in response from the other communication device. Fig. 1-10 & ¶0036 - a partial channel reciprocity can be assumed based on certain properties such as angles of departure (AoD), angles of arrival (AoA) and delays of the propagation multipath. UL-DL partial reciprocity properties can be taken into consideration in signalling between communicating devices. Fig. 1-10 & ¶0037 - to enhance MIMO CSI feedback operation by exploiting partial uplink/downlink (UL/DL) reciprocity of certain channel statistics such as the angle(s) and delay(s). It has already been suggested that enhancement on CSI measurement and reporting can be based on evaluation and, if needed, specifying port selection codebook enhancement (e.g. based on existing 3GPP Rel.15/16 Type II port selection) where information related to angle(s) and delay(s) are estimated at the gNB based on SRS by utilizing DL/UL reciprocity of angle and delay, and the remaining DL CSI is reported by the UE. Fig. 1-10 & ¶0055 - Enhancing FDD CSI reporting can be based on assumption of reciprocity of cluster delays and angles in FDD operations so that the gNB can estimate a set of dominant SD-FD component pairs and use them to precode the CSI-RS ports. Fig. 1-10 & ¶0056 - The gNB can estimate the UL channel by measuring the Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) and determine P SD-FD pairs of vectors. These are denoted below by (v.sub.i.sub.p.sup.(UL),y.sub.f.sub.p.sup.(UL)), where v.sub.i.sub.p.sup.(UL) is an N.sub.t×1 vector and v.sub.f.sub.p.sup.(UL) is an N.sub.3×1 vector containing the precoding weights in the spatial and frequency domain, respectively. Fig. 1-10 & ¶0072 - In order to determine the linear combination coefficients for each SD-FD pair and receive antenna, the UE can form a P×N.sub.3 matrix, W′.sub.2.sup.(r), for r=0, . . . , N.sub.r−1 … W′.sub.2.sup.(r)=[ĥ.sub.0,r′,ĥ.sub.1,r′, . . . ,ĥ.sub.N.sub.a.sub.−1,r′]..(9) and calculate the coefficients by applying (8) to (9). This yields the P×1 vector (or P×M.sup.(DL) matrix, in general for M.sup.(DL)≥1). Fig. 1-10 & ¶0073 - At this stage the UE can determine the strongest spatial layers from linear combinations of the receive antennas. This operation can be performed by applying a single singular value decomposition (SVD) to the P×N.sub.r matrix, [{tilde over (w)}′.sub.2.sup.(0), {tilde over (w)}′.sub.2.sup.(1), . . . , {tilde over (w)}′.sub.2.sup.(N.sup.r.sup.−1)], (or PM.sup.(DL)×N.sub.r matrix) and obtaining the strongest v left eigenvectors:);
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to combine Muruganathan550’s invention of a system and a method for signaling for frequency and spatial domain bases indication to aid enhanced NR type II CSI feedback using angle and delay reciprocity in a 5G/New Radio(NR) wireless communication system to include TOSATO’s invention of a system and a method for signalling port information between communication devices in a 5G/New Radio(NR) wireless communication system, because it provides an efficient and flexible mechanism, which allows in reducing number of spatial-domain (SD-FD) pairs used by a gNB in precoding CSI-RS ports (channel state information reference signal ports), in turns, reduces reference signalling overhead, therefore, accuracy of precoder matrix reconstruction from a PMI reports from a UE and the gNB own reciprocity-based calculations is improved, enables the gNB in providing more accurate estimation while operating in the 5G/New Radio(NR) wireless communication system. (¶0005/¶0043, TOSATO)
Re. claim 14, Muruganathan550 teaches a communication apparatus (Fig. 12), comprising: at least one processor (Fig. 12, 1204), and one or more memories (Fig. 12, 1206) coupled to the at least one processor and storing programming instructions for execution by the at least one processor to perform operations (Fig. 12 & ¶0098) comprising: sending first information, that indicates first group configuration information and second group configuration information (Fig.8-9/Fig.11 & ¶0040 - methods for signaling a selected subset of frequency domain (FD) basis vectors among a full set of FD basis and/or a selected subset of CSI-RS ports among a full set of CSI-RS ports by gNB to a UE are proposed. Solutions based on both medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) signaling and downlink control information (DCI) signaling are proposed to reduce overhead associated with signaling the subset of FD basis vectors and/or CSI-RS ports. Fig.8-9/Fig.11 & ¶0042 - A method for signaling to the UE from the network a selected subset of frequency domain (FD) basis vectors among a full set N3 of frequency domain (FD) basis, wherein the FD basis vectors are a set of orthogonal complex vectors with length equal to N3, the method comprising: the UE using the indicated FD basis vectors to compute a CSI corresponding to an enhanced type II port selection codebook. Fig.8-9/Fig.11 & ¶0079 - the number of selected FD basis vectors may be indicated in a MAC CE per layer or per a group of layers. Figure 11 is an exemplary MAC CE configured according to another embodiment of the present disclosure for indicating the selected subset of FD basis vectors from the network node to the wireless device. As shown in Figure 11, for each layer l (l = 1, .... ,v), a field F:l),n E {0,1, ... ,N3 -1} consisting of a bitmap of bits (or rN3/ 81 octets) are used to indicate the selected subset of FD basis vectors for CSI feedback with a type II port selection codebook with l layers. Fig.8-9/Fig.11 & ¶0088 - ports with non-zero power are always mapped to the first L CSI-RS ports in the N-port NZP CSI-RS resource. Thus, the value of either L or N-L is signaled to the UE. Since the NZP CSI-RS resource can always be selected such that L > N-L, signaling N-L can have a smaller overhead. Considering N=4,8,12,16,24,32 are supported in NR for Type II port selection codebook, maximum 3 bits are enough in DCI to signal N-L inactive ports. Fig. 11 & ¶0089 - The signaling can be done in either DCI or MAC CE. In case of MAC CE, alternatively a bitmap of Pcsi-Rs/2 bits may be used, where each bit is associated with a CSI-RS port in each of the two polarizations. A pair of non-zero power CSI-RS ports in different polarizations can be indicated by setting the corresponding bit to "1" in the Pcsi-Rs/2 bits. This would provide more flexibility in case the N CSI-RS ports may be shared by multiple UEs and different UEs may use different CSI-RS ports), the first group configuration information indicates a correspondence between P reference signal ports and Z layers (Fig.8-9/Fig.11 & ¶0079 - the number of selected FD basis vectors may be indicated in a MAC CE per layer or per a group of layers. Figure 11 is an exemplary MAC CE configured according to another embodiment of the present disclosure for indicating the selected subset of FD basis vectors from the network node to the wireless device. As shown in Figure 11, for each layer l (l = 1, .... ,v), a field F:l),n E {0,1, ... ,N3 -1} consisting of a bitmap of bits (or rN3/ 81 octets) are used to indicate the selected subset of FD basis vectors for CSI feedback with a type II port selection codebook with l layers. Fig.8-9/Fig.11 & ¶0088 - ports with non-zero power are always mapped to the first L CSI-RS ports in the N-port NZP CSI-RS resource. Thus, the value of either L or N-L is signaled to the UE. Since the NZP CSI-RS resource can always be selected such that L > N-L, signaling N-L can have a smaller overhead. Considering N=4,8,12,16,24,32 are supported in NR for Type II port selection codebook, maximum 3 bits are enough in DCI to signal N-L inactive ports. Fig.8-9/Fig.11 & ¶0089 - The signaling can be done in either DCI or MAC CE. In case of MAC CE, alternatively a bitmap of Pcsi-Rs/2 bits may be used, where each bit is associated with a CSI-RS port in each of the two polarizations. A pair of non-zero power CSI-RS ports in different polarizations can be indicated by setting the corresponding bit to "1" in the Pcsi-Rs/2 bits. This would provide more flexibility in case the N CSI-RS ports may be shared by multiple UEs and different UEs may use different CSI-RS ports.), and the second group configuration information indicates a correspondence between N frequency domain base vectors and the Z layers (Fig.8-9/Fig.11 & ¶0042 - A method for signaling to the UE from the network a selected subset of frequency domain (FD) basis vectors among a full set N3 of frequency domain (FD) basis, wherein the FD basis vectors are a set of orthogonal complex vectors with length equal to N3, the method comprising: the UE using the indicated FD basis vectors to compute a CSI corresponding to an enhanced type II port selection codebook. Fig.8-9/Fig.11 & ¶0079 - the number of selected FD basis vectors may be indicated in a MAC CE per layer or per a group of layers. Figure 11 is an exemplary MAC CE configured according to another embodiment of the present disclosure for indicating the selected subset of FD basis vectors from the network node to the wireless device. As shown in Figure 11, for each layer l (l = 1, .... ,v), a field F:l),n E {0,1, ... ,N3 -1} consisting of a bitmap of bits (or rN3/ 81 octets) are used to indicate the selected subset of FD basis vectors for CSI feedback with a type II port selection codebook with l layers.), wherein P, N, and Z are positive integers greater than or equal to 1 (See ¶0088-¶0089, ¶0042/¶0079/¶0088-¶0089 along with Fig.8-9/Fig.11, CSI-RS does have plurality of ports, along with as shown in Figure 11, for each layer l (l = 1, .... ,v), a field F:l),n E {0,1, ... ,N3 -1} consisting of a bitmap of bits (or rN3/ 81 octets) are used to indicate the selected subset of FD basis vectors for CSI feedback with a type II port selection codebook with l layers as disclosed supra);
PNG
media_image2.png
266
882
media_image2.png
Greyscale
and receiving a precoding matrix indicator (PMI) corresponding to the Z layers, wherein the PMI is determined based on calculating a PMI for each layer of the Z layers using the reference signal ports or the frequency domain base vectors corresponding to said each layer as indicated by the first information.
(Fig. 4-6/Fig.8-9/Fig.11 & ¶0025 - Frequency-domain compression matrix wf,l: wf,l is a size N3 x Mv FD-domain compression matrix for layer l, where: For each layer, FD basis selection is indicated with a
PNG
media_image3.png
48
154
media_image3.png
Greyscale
combinatorial indicator. In TS 38.214, the combinatorial indicator is given by the index i1,6, l where l corresponds to the layer index. This combinatorial index is reported by UE to the gNB per layer per PMI. Fig.8-9/Fig.11 & ¶0042 - where the UE uses a subset of the indicated FD basis vectors to compute the CSI. …. where the UE may report one or more of the indices i1,5 and i1,6, l as part of the enhanced type II port selection PMI report. Fig. 4-6/Fig.8-9/Fig.11 & ¶0031: ¶0032 - In Step 3. gNB has configured the UE to measure an CSI-RS, and the UE measures the received CSI-RS ports and then determines a type II CSI including RI, PMI for each layer and CQI. The precoding matrix indicated by the PMI includes the selected beams (e.g., the precoded CSI-RS ports) and the corresponding best phase and amplitude for co-phasing the selected beams. The phase and amplitude for each beam are quantized and feed-back to the gNB. In Step 4, the gNB implementation algorithm computes the DL precoding matrix per layer based on the selected beams and the corresponding amplitude and phase feedback and performs PDSCH transmission. The transmission is based on the feed-back (PMI) precoding matrices directly (e.g., SU-MIMO transmission) or the transmission precoding matrix is obtained from an algorithm combining CSI feedback from multiple UEs (MU-MIMO transmission). In this case, a precoder derived based on the precoding matrices (including the CSI reports from co-scheduled UEs). Fig. 4-6/Fig.8-9/Fig.11 & ¶0072 - If the UE indicates an RI equal to either 3 or 4, then the UE will use a subset of the Mmax FD basis vectors indicated in the MAC CE for type II port selection CSI feedback. Hence, in this case, the UE performs FD basis selection from only among the Mmax FD basis vectors indicated in the MAC CE instead of the total number N3 of frequency-domain bases which reduces the complexity at the UE. Note that in this case, the UE may report one or more of the indices i1,5 and i1,6, l as part of the rel-16 type II port selection PMI report. Fig. 4-6/Fig.8-9/Fig.11 & ¶0074 - when a subset of FD basis vectors among the Mmax FD basis vectors indicated in the MAC CE are selected by the UE, the combinatorial coefficient 10 table C(x,y) in Table 5.2.2.2.5-4 of 3GPP TS 38.214 is used when identifying the one or more i1,6, l which are to be reported by the UE as part of the Rel-16 type II port selection PMI report. See snapshots below including steps as outlined as shown in Fig4 & Fig. 8 next).
PNG
media_image4.png
495
905
media_image4.png
Greyscale
PNG
media_image5.png
591
687
media_image5.png
Greyscale
Yet, Muruganathan550 does not expressly teach wherein the at least one of the first group configuration information or the second group configuration information is determined based on K angle-delay pairs obtained by performing channel decomposition on uplink channel information, and K is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1.
However, in the analogous art, TOSATO explicitly discloses wherein the at least one of the first group configuration information or the second group configuration information is determined based on K angle-delay pairs obtained by performing channel decomposition on uplink channel information, and K is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1. (Fig. 1-10 & ¶0006 - a method for multi-channel communications, the method comprising: precoding, based on sounding reference signal received from a communication device, reference signal ports in spatial and frequency domain by determining pairs of spatial and frequency domain components where the frequency domain components are arranged in clusters comprising one or more frequency domain components, and pairing of at least one of the spatial domain components with at least two clusters of frequency domain components is enabled; sending information of the precoding to the other communication device; and combining the precoding with a report of precoding received in response from the other communication device. Fig. 1-10 & ¶0036 - a partial channel reciprocity can be assumed based on certain properties such as angles of departure (AoD), angles of arrival (AoA) and delays of the propagation multipath. UL-DL partial reciprocity properties can be taken into consideration in signalling between communicating devices. Fig. 1-10 & ¶0037 - to enhance MIMO CSI feedback operation by exploiting partial uplink/downlink (UL/DL) reciprocity of certain channel statistics such as the angle(s) and delay(s). It has already been suggested that enhancement on CSI measurement and reporting can be based on evaluation and, if needed, specifying port selection codebook enhancement (e.g. based on existing 3GPP Rel.15/16 Type II port selection) where information related to angle(s) and delay(s) are estimated at the gNB based on SRS by utilizing DL/UL reciprocity of angle and delay, and the remaining DL CSI is reported by the UE. Fig. 1-10 & ¶0055 - Enhancing FDD CSI reporting can be based on assumption of reciprocity of cluster delays and angles in FDD operations so that the gNB can estimate a set of dominant SD-FD component pairs and use them to precode the CSI-RS ports. Fig. 1-10 & ¶0056 - The gNB can estimate the UL channel by measuring the Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) and determine P SD-FD pairs of vectors. These are denoted below by (v.sub.i.sub.p.sup.(UL),y.sub.f.sub.p.sup.(UL)), where v.sub.i.sub.p.sup.(UL) is an N.sub.t×1 vector and v.sub.f.sub.p.sup.(UL) is an N.sub.3×1 vector containing the precoding weights in the spatial and frequency domain, respectively. Fig. 1-10 & ¶0072 - In order to determine the linear combination coefficients for each SD-FD pair and receive antenna, the UE can form a P×N.sub.3 matrix, W′.sub.2.sup.(r), for r=0, . . . , N.sub.r−1 … W′.sub.2.sup.(r)=[ĥ.sub.0,r′,ĥ.sub.1,r′, . . . ,ĥ.sub.N.sub.a.sub.−1,r′]..(9) and calculate the coefficients by applying (8) to (9). This yields the P×1 vector (or P×M.sup.(DL) matrix, in general for M.sup.(DL)≥1). Fig. 1-10 & ¶0073 - At this stage the UE can determine the strongest spatial layers from linear combinations of the receive antennas. This operation can be performed by applying a single singular value decomposition (SVD) to the P×N.sub.r matrix, [{tilde over (w)}′.sub.2.sup.(0), {tilde over (w)}′.sub.2.sup.(1), . . . , {tilde over (w)}′.sub.2.sup.(N.sup.r.sup.−1)], (or PM.sup.(DL)×N.sub.r matrix) and obtaining the strongest v left eigenvectors:);
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to combine Muruganathan550’s invention of a system and a method for signaling for frequency and spatial domain bases indication to aid enhanced NR type II CSI feedback using angle and delay reciprocity in a 5G/New Radio(NR) wireless communication system to include TOSATO’s invention of a system and a method for signalling port information between communication devices in a 5G/New Radio(NR) wireless communication system, because it provides an efficient and flexible mechanism, which allows in reducing number of spatial-domain (SD-FD) pairs used by a gNB in precoding CSI-RS ports (channel state information reference signal ports), in turns, reduces reference signalling overhead, therefore, accuracy of precoder matrix reconstruction from a PMI reports from a UE and the gNB own reciprocity-based calculations is improved, enables the gNB in providing more accurate estimation while operating in the 5G/New Radio(NR) wireless communication system. (¶0005/¶0043, TOSATO)
Re. Claims 4, 10 and 17, Muruganathan550 and TOSATO teach claims 1, 7 and 14.
Muruganathan550 further teaches wherein each of the Z layers corresponds to one or more of the N frequency domain base vectors. (Fig.8-9/Fig.11 & ¶0079 - the number of selected FD basis vectors may be indicated in a MAC CE per layer or per a group of layers. Figure 11 is an exemplary MAC CE configured according to another embodiment of the present disclosure for indicating the selected subset of FD basis vectors from the network node to the wireless device. As shown in Figure 11, for each layer l (l = 1, .... ,v), a field F:l),n E {0,1, ... ,N3 -1} consisting of a bitmap of bits (or rN3/ 81 octets) are used to indicate the selected subset of FD basis vectors for CSI feedback with a type II port selection codebook with l layers. Fig.8-9/Fig.11 & ¶0081 - the maximum number of FD basis vectors that can be selected can be defined via higher layer parameters for each layer or per group of layers. Fig.8-9/Fig.11 & Group A Embodiments / Page 39 - wherein the MAC CE comprises a plurality of fields (e.g., a bitmap of N3 bits or a bitmap of [log2 (N3 )l bits) each configured to indicate the selected subset of FD basis vectors among the full set of FD basis vectors for a respective one of a plurality of layers.)
Re. Claims 5, 11 and 18, Muruganathan550 and TOSATO teach claims 1, 7 and 14.
Muruganathan550 further teaches wherein frequency domain base vectors corresponding to at least two of the Z layers are not identical. (§1.3 - Embodiment with different number of selected FD basis vectors indicated for different number of layers. Fig.8-9/Fig.11 & ¶0079 - Fig.8-9/Fig.11 & ¶0079 - the number of selected FD basis vectors may be indicated in a MAC CE per layer or per a group of layers. Figure 11 is an exemplary MAC CE configured according to another embodiment of the present disclosure for indicating the selected subset of FD basis vectors from the network node to the wireless device. As shown in Figure 11, for each layer l (l = 1, .... ,v), a field F:l),n E {0,1, ... ,N3 -1} consisting of a bitmap of bits (or rN3/ 81 octets) are used to indicate the selected subset of FD basis vectors for CSI feedback with a type II port selection codebook with l layers. Fig.8-9/Fig.11 & ¶0081 - the maximum number of FD basis vectors that can be selected can be defined via higher layer parameters for each layer or per group of layers. Fig.8-9/Fig.11 & Group A Embodiments / Page 39 - wherein the MAC CE comprises a plurality of fields (e.g., a bitmap of N3 bits or a bitmap of [log2 (N3 )l bits) each configured to indicate the selected subset of FD basis vectors among the full set of FD basis vectors for a respective one of a plurality of layers.)
Re. Claims 6, 12 and 19, Muruganathan550 and TOSATO teach claims 1, 7 and 14.
Muruganathan550 further teaches wherein; the at least one of the first group configuration information or the second group configuration information are carried in at least one of the following signaling: radio resource control (RRC), a media access control control element (MAC CE), or downlink control information (DCI) (Fig.8-9/Fig.11 & ¶0040 - methods for signaling a selected subset of frequency domain (FD) basis vectors among a full set of FD basis and/or a selected subset of CSI-RS ports among a full set of CSI-RS ports by gNB to a UE are proposed. Solutions based on both medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) signaling and downlink control information (DCI) signaling are proposed to reduce overhead associated with signaling the subset of FD basis vectors and/or CSI-RS ports. Fig.8-9/Fig.11 & ¶0079 - the number of selected FD basis vectors may be indicated in a MAC CE per layer or per a group of layers. Figure 11 is an exemplary MAC CE configured according to another embodiment of the present disclosure for indicating the selected subset of FD basis vectors from the network node to the wireless device. As shown in Figure 11, for each layer l (l = 1, .... ,v), a field F:l),n E {0,1, ... ,N3 -1} consisting of a bitmap of bits (or rN3/ 81 octets) are used to indicate the selected subset of FD basis vectors for CSI feedback with a type II port selection codebook with l layers. Fig. 11 & ¶0089 - The signaling can be done in either DCI or MAC CE. In case of MAC CE, alternatively a bitmap of Pcsi-Rs/2 bits may be used, where each bit is associated with a CSI-RS port in each of the two polarizations. A pair of non-zero power CSI-RS ports in different polarizations can be indicated by setting the corresponding bit to "1" in the Pcsi-Rs/2 bits. This would provide more flexibility in case the N CSI-RS ports may be shared by multiple UEs and different UEs may use different CSI-RS ports. Examiner interprets that only one of the claimed features to be mapped because of the presence of “at least one of” and “or”); or the at least one of the first group configuration information or the second group configuration information are[[/is]] predefined in a protocol.
Claims 2-3, 8-9 and 15-16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Muruganathan550, in view of TOSATO, further in view of Hao et al. (2023/0163911), Hao hereinafter.
Re. Claims 2, 8 and 15, Muruganathan550 and TOSATO teach claims 1, 7 and 14.
Yet, Muruganathan550 does not expressly teach wherein each of the Z layers corresponds to one or more of the P reference signal ports.
However, in the analogous art, Hao explicitly discloses wherein each of the Z layers corresponds to one or more of the P reference signal ports. (Fig. 4-5/Fig. 6A-B & ¶0098 - in selecting and reporting selected CSI-RS, the UE can determine/report the group index (or indices) of selected CSI-RS ports, and may further determine/report the port index of the selected CSI-RS ports within the groups. The group index and/or the CSI-RS port index may be determined/reported layer-specific or layer-common and rank-specific or rank-common. The port selection within each group can be same or different. FIG. 5 illustrates an example with the second and third CSI-RS ports chosen from the groups 0, 1, and 3, across both polarizations, for computing the PMI to report with CSI. Fig. 4-5/Fig. 6A-B & ¶0101 - UE can (freely) select any CSI-RS ports from the total P CSI-RS ports, up to the configured K0 number of CSI-RS ports per layer, and up to total 2 K0 CSI-RS across all layers. Fig. 4-5/Fig. 6A-B & ¶0126 - the BS may configure the UE with a maximum number of CSI-RS ports per-layer or per-rank for the UE to report linear combination coefficients.)
PNG
media_image6.png
720
965
media_image6.png
Greyscale
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to combine Muruganathan550’s invention of a system and a method for signaling for frequency and spatial domain bases indication to aid enhanced NR type II CSI feedback using angle and delay reciprocity in a 5G/New Radio(NR) wireless communication system and TOSATO’s invention of a system and a method for signalling port information between communication devices in a 5G/New Radio(NR) wireless communication system to include Hao’s invention of a system and a method for port selection for channel state feedback with analog feedforward in a 5G/New Radio(NR) wireless communication system, because it provides an efficient mechanism in Channel estimation in adapting transmissions based on current channel conditions, which is useful for achieving reliable communication, in particular, with high data rates in multi-antenna systems operating in the 5G/New Radio(NR) wireless communication system. (¶0051-¶0052, Hao)
Re. Claims 3, 9 and 16, Muruganathan550 and TOSATO teach claims 1, 7 and 14.
Yet, Muruganathan550 does not expressly teach wherein ports corresponding to at least two of the Z layers are not identical.
However, in the analogous art, Hao explicitly discloses wherein ports corresponding to at least two of the Z layers are not identical. (Fig. 4-5/Fig. 6A-B & ¶0098 - in selecting and reporting selected CSI-RS, the UE can determine/report the group index (or indices) of selected CSI-RS ports, and may further determine/report the port index of the selected CSI-RS ports within the groups. The group index and/or the CSI-RS port index may be determined/reported layer-specific or layer-common and rank-specific or rank-common. The port selection within each group can be same or different.).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to combine Muruganathan550’s invention of a system and a method for signaling for frequency and spatial domain bases indication to aid enhanced NR type II CSI feedback using angle and delay reciprocity in a 5G/New Radio(NR) wireless communication system and TOSATO’s invention of a system and a method for signalling port information between communication devices in a 5G/New Radio(NR) wireless communication system to include Hao’s invention of a system and a method for port selection for channel state feedback with analog feedforward in a 5G/New Radio(NR) wireless communication system, because it provides an efficient mechanism in Channel estimation in adapting transmissions based on current channel conditions, which is useful for achieving reliable communication, in particular, with high data rates in multi-antenna systems operating in the 5G/New Radio(NR) wireless communication system. (¶0051-¶0052, Hao)
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments filed on 05/29/2026 with respect to independent claims 1, 7 and 14 have been considered but they are not persuasive.
Regarding arguments in pages 6-9 as submitted on 05/29/2026 for independent claim 1, applicant asserts that Muruganathan550 fails to teach, “sending a precoding matrix indicator (PMI) corresponding to the Z layers, wherein the PMI is determined based on calculating a PMI for each layer of the Z layers using the reference signal ports or the frequency domain base vectors corresponding to said each layer as indicated by the first information”. The applicant further asserts, “Muruganathan does not teach indicating a correspondence between specific reference signal ports and specific transmission layers (Z layers). The indication in Muruganathan applies to the entire resource, not per layer”. See at least pages 6-7 of remarks as submitted on 05/29/2026.
Examiner respectfully disagrees with the applicant. For example, Muruganathan550 discloses that Frequency-domain compression matrix wf,l: wf,l is a size N3 x Mv FD-domain compression matrix for layer l, where: For each layer, FD basis selection is indicated with a
PNG
media_image3.png
48
154
media_image3.png
Greyscale
combinatorial indicator. In TS 38.214 <Specification as per 3GPP standard, known to a person of ordinary skill in the art>, the combinatorial indicator is given by the index i1,6, l where l corresponds to the layer index. This combinatorial index is reported by UE to the gNB per layer per PMI. See ¶0025 along with Fig.4-5/Fig. 8-9 & Fig. 11. Muruganathan550 further discloses that where the UE uses a subset of the indicated FD basis vectors to compute the CSI. …. where the UE may report one or more of the indices i1,5 and i1,6, l as part of the enhanced type II port selection PMI report. See ¶0042 along with Fig.4-5/Fig. 8-9 & Fig. 11. Muruganathan550 further discloses that the gNB has configured the UE to measure an CSI-RS, and the UE measures the received CSI-RS ports and then determines a type II CSI including RI, PMI for each layer and CQI in step 3 of Fig 4. The precoding matrix indicated by the PMI includes the selected beams (e.g., the precoded CSI-RS ports) and the corresponding best phase and amplitude for co-phasing the selected beams. The phase and amplitude for each beam are quantized and feed-back to the gNB. The gNB implementation algorithm computes the DL precoding matrix per layer based on the selected beams and the corresponding amplitude and phase feedback and performs PDSCH transmission. The transmission is based on the feed-back (PMI) precoding matrices directly (e.g., SU-MIMO transmission) or the transmission precoding matrix is obtained from an algorithm combining CSI feedback from multiple UEs (MU-MIMO transmission) as shown in step 4 of Fig. 4. In this case, a precoder derived based on the precoding matrices (including the CSI reports from co-scheduled UEs). See ¶0031: ¶0032 along with Fig.4-5/Fig. 8-9 & Fig. 11.
Muruganathan550 further discloses that If the UE indicates an RI equal to either 3 or 4, then the UE will use a subset of the Mmax FD basis vectors indicated in the MAC CE for type II port selection CSI feedback. Hence, in this case, the UE performs FD basis selection from only among the Mmax FD basis vectors indicated in the MAC CE instead of the total number N3 of frequency-domain bases which reduces the complexity at the UE. Note that in this case, the UE may report one or more of the indices i1,5 and i1,6, l as part of the rel-16 type II port selection PMI report…. when a subset of FD basis vectors among the Mmax FD basis vectors indicated in the MAC CE are selected by the UE, the combinatorial coefficient 10 table C(x,y) in Table 5.2.2.2.5-4 of 3GPP TS 38.214 is used when identifying the one or more i1,6, l which are to be reported by the UE as part of the Rel-16 type II port selection PMI report. See ¶0072/¶0074 along with Fig.4-5/Fig. 8-9 & Fig. 11.
Snapshots <see next> are reproduced in support of the aforementioned disclosures by Muruganathan550, quite a contrast to applicant’s assertion at least at pages 6-7 of remarks as submitted on 05/29/2026.
PNG
media_image7.png
709
767
media_image7.png
Greyscale
PNG
media_image8.png
495
905
media_image8.png
Greyscale
PNG
media_image5.png
591
687
media_image5.png
Greyscale
The applicant further asserts TOSATO fails to teach as outlined in amended independent claim 1, for example, “TOSATO teaches that the gNB determines SD-FD pairs from the uplink Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) and uses them to precode the CSI-RS ports. Specifically, TOSATO states, "The gNB can estimate the UL channel by measuring the Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) and determine P SD-FD pairs of vectors" (TOSATO at ~0056). However, TOSATO does not teach that the gNB determines a correspondence between ports or FD vectors and layers (the claimed group configuration information). In TOSATO, the layers are determined by the UE ajter receiving the CSI-RS via Singular Value Decomposition (SVD). As explicitly stated in TOSATO, "At this stage the lJE can determine the strongest spatial layers from linear combinations of the receive antennas. This operation can be performed by applying a single singular value decomposition (SVD) to the PxNr matrix ... " (TO SATO at ,roo73). Because the gNB in TOSATO does not know the layers at the time of precoding, it is impossible for the gNB to detem1ine a layer-specific mapping (i.e., the claimed group configuration information) based on the angle-delay pairs. Applying TOSATO's teachings to MUruganathan would merely result in the gNB precoding CSI-RS ports based on uplink angledelay pairs, but it would not result in the gNB detennining and signaling a layer-specific mapping of ports or FD vectors based on those angle-delay pairs. The proposed combination fails to teach the claimed mechanism of action.”. See at least pages 7-8 of remarks as submitted on 05/29/2026.
Examiner respectfully disagrees with the applicant. For example, TOSATO discloses that the accuracy of the precoder matrix reconstructed from the PMI reported by the UE and the gNB own reciprocity-based calculations may also be improved. This is because the UE can be configured to calculate one or more Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) components within a window of uncertainty for each pair of SD-FD component used to precode the CSI-RS ports. The UE can then report FD components to the gNB the gNB already knows based on UL SRS, and the gNB can use this to provide more accurate estimation. Instead of a report of only one FD component per precoded SD-FD pair, the gNB can configure the UE to calculate several FD components within a window corresponding to the identified cluster of FD components. The UE can then select which coefficients to report within the cluster. A CSI reporting mechanism can be configured to operate such that a gNB precodes CSI-RS ports both in the spatial and frequency domain by pairs of spatial-frequency domain components where each spatial domain component is paired with one or more clusters of frequency domain components. A cluster can comprise one or more frequency domain component components. The UE can be configured to calculate, for example, the first three frequency domain components for that CSI-RS port. To illustrate, assuming there are N_3=13 frequency units, and a cluster for beam 0 consists of DFT component 6, 7, 8 (there are 13 components in total), the gNB can precode a CSI-RS port with the pair (beam 0, FD component 6) and configure the UE to calculate FD component 0, 1, 2. …. In such case the UE is configured to calculate FD components x1,x2,x3 such that (x+[x1,x2,x3]) mod N_3=[6,7,8]. See ¶0043-¶0046 along with Fig. 4-9.
TOSATO further discloses that the UE can be configured to calculate frequency domain components from a restricted subset of a Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) codebook for each spatial-frequency pair. .. The UE then selects which combination coefficients (i.e., FD calculations) to report. The UE can report the value of these coefficients and their position, for example in a bitmap of size P×M (DL) where P is the number of SD-FD pairs and M(DL) is the size of the FD subset. In response to reception of the CSI-RS port information from the gNB the UE can report back a selection of nonzero coefficients from the sequence formed by the UE-calculated frequency domain components for all spatial-frequency components measured in the CSI-RS ports and an indicator indicating the spatial-frequency pair and UE-calculated frequency domain component corresponding to the reported coefficients. More detailed examples are explained with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 and 3GPP Rel-16 eType II codebooks to illustrate further the herein disclosed principles. In accordance with 3GPP 5G standard a Nt × N3 precoder matrix, for a layer l and for all Nt transmit antennas and N3 Precoding Matrix Indicator (PMI) subbands, can be expressed as
PNG
media_image9.png
139
744
media_image9.png
Greyscale
See ¶0049/¶0052-¶0053 along with Fig. 4-9.
TOSATO further discloses along with the aforesaid disclosures, for example, TOSATO recites in ¶0055, “Enhancing FDD CSI reporting can be based on assumption of reciprocity of cluster delays and angles in FDD operations so that the gNB can estimate a set of dominant SD-FD component pairs and use them to precode the CSI-RS ports. This allows to move some or even most of the SD and FD compression operations from the UE to the gNB”, also in ¶0043, “a split FD compression operation is provided where some FD component calculations are retained at the UE 10 while some calculations are performed at the gNB 12, instead of an operation where all calculations would be carried out at the UE or at the gNB. For example, the current port selection codebook specified in 3GPP Rel-16 defines that all these calculations are performed at the UE. In accordance with a possibility the gNB perform a greater portion of the computations. The herein described flexible solution presents certain advantage as it allows to reduce the number of spatial-domain (SD-FD) pairs used by the gNB to precode the CSI-RS ports, and hence the reference signalling overhead may be reduced. Accuracy of the precoder matrix reconstructed from the PMI reported by the UE and the gNB own reciprocity-based calculations may also be improved. This is because the UE can be configured to calculate one or more Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) components within a window of uncertainty for each pair of SD-FD component used to precode the CSI-RS ports. The UE can then report FD components to the gNB the gNB already knows based on UL SRS, and the gNB can use this to provide more accurate estimation.”, as disclosed along with Fig. 7, in particular, as reproduced next.
PNG
media_image10.png
334
718
media_image10.png
Greyscale
TOSATO further discloses that after the layer processing, the UE can select a subset of strongest nonzero coefficients out of the P coefficients in
PNG
media_image11.png
29
48
media_image11.png
Greyscale
for layer 1,
PNG
media_image12.png
33
58
media_image12.png
Greyscale
for layer 2, etc. This selection of nonzero linear combination coefficients can be free within the vector P×1 of coefficients for layer 1 (or, in general, within a P×M (DL) matrix of coefficients) and the corresponding bitmap also indicates the selection of SD-FD pairs. In view of the PMI reconstruction and reciprocity precoder representation it is noted that if M.sup.(DL)=1 a UE reports only FD component 0 from the selected SD-FD pairs. Let k.sub.0,l, k.sub.1,l, . . . , k.sub.L-1,l be the indices of the L selected SD-FD pairs for layer l, with k.sub.j,l∈{0, . . . , P−1}. Let c.sub.k.sub.j,l.sup.(l) be the linear combination coefficient corresponding to SD-FD pair k.sub.j,l, and v.sub.k.sub.j,l.sup.(DL) the selection vector formed by all-zeros with a one in position k.sub.j,l. The P×N.sub.3 precoder matrix for layer l, reported by the UE in the PMI can be expressed as
PNG
media_image13.png
66
241
media_image13.png
Greyscale
PNG
media_image14.png
248
568
media_image14.png
Greyscale
Along with ¶0079, the aforesaid disclosures are found at ¶0075/¶0077 along with Fig. 4-9, quite an extraordinary contrast to applicant’s allegation at least at pages 6-7 of remarks as submitted on 05/29/2026.
Regarding arguments in page 8 for motivation to combine TOSATO’s reference with the reference of Muruganathan550:
In response of applicant’s argument that TOSATO’s reference would not be an obvious combination with the teachings of Muruganathan550 so as to suggest applicants' invention. The Examiner would like to point out the following statement as identified by court “It is not required that the prior art disclose or suggest the properties newly-discovered by an applicant in order for there to be a prima facie case of obviousness. See In re Dillon, 919 F.2d 688, 16 USPQ2d 1897, 1905 (Fed. Cir. 1990). Moreover, as long as some motivation or suggestion to combine the references is provided by the prior art taken as a whole, the law does not require that the references be combined for the reasons contemplated by the inventor. See In re Beattie, 974 F.2d 1309, 24 USPQ2d 1040 (Fed. Cir. 1992); In re Kronig, 539 F.2d 1300, 190 USPQ 425 (CCPA 1976) and In re Wilder, 429 F.2d 447, 166 USPQ 545 (CCPA 1970)”. In this case, the suggestion to combine the references, is provided by TOSATO, as because, TOSATO provides an efficient and flexible mechanism, which allows in reducing number of spatial-domain (SD-FD) pairs used by a gNB in precoding CSI-RS ports (channel state information reference signal ports), in turns, reduces reference signalling overhead, therefore, accuracy of precoder matrix reconstruction from a PMI reports from a UE and the gNB own reciprocity-based calculations is improved, enables the gNB in providing more accurate estimation while operating in the 5G/New Radio(NR) wireless communication system. (¶0005/¶0043, TOSATO)
Similar arguments are applicable for the independent claims 7 and 14.
For reasons as explained supra, it is maintained that independent claims 1 and 7 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Muruganathan550, in view of TOSATO.
Similarly, it is maintained that independent claim 14 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Muruganathan550, in view of TOSATO.
As all other dependent claims depend either directly or indirectly from the independent claims 1, 7 and 14, similar rationale also applies to all respective dependent claims.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to MOHAMMED SHAMSUL CHOWDHURY whose telephone number is (571)272-0485. The examiner can normally be reached on Monday-Thursday 9 AM- 6 PM EST (Friday Var.).
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, Hassan Phillips can be reached on 571-272-3940. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished applications is available through Private PAIR only. For more information about the PAIR system, see http://pair-direct.uspto.gov. Should you have questions on access to the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to the automated information system, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
/MOHAMMED S CHOWDHURY/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2467
Prosecution Insights