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 .
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, 4, 6, 9, 11, 14, 16, 19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102 (a)(1) as being anticipated by Kundu et al. (US 20210029731 A1).
Kundu et al. discloses methods of resource allocation to 3GPP New Radio (NR) physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) in unlicensed spectrum comprising the following features: regarding claim 1, receiving first indication information from a network device, wherein the first indication information is used to determine a frequency-domain position to which a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resource is mapped (The UE receives PUCCH resource configuration (including PRB offset, cyclic shift index set, etc.) from the network, either via higher layer signaling or system information, which is used to determine the frequency-domain position of the PUCCH resource, see paragraphs 25-28 and 35); determining frequency-domain positions to which the PUCCH resource is mapped in at least two consecutive time units in first duration, wherein the frequency-domain positions to which the PUCCH resource is mapped in the at least two consecutive time units in the first duration are different (frequency hopping for PUCCH, where the PRB index for the PUCCH resource changes between two hops (i.e., two consecutive time units within a slot or across slots), resulting in different frequency-domain positions for the PUCCH resource in consecutive time units, see paragraphs [0030], [0035]–[0036], [0038], [0081], [0084] ); and sending information to the network device in the first duration by using the PUCCH resource (The UE sends UCI (e.g., HARQ-ACK, SR, CSI) to the network using the PUCCH resource during the configured duration, see paragraphs [0018], [0029], [0030], [0032]); wherein the frequency-domain position to which the PUCCH resource is mapped comprises a first start PRB index of the PUCCH resource in a first mapping position and a second start PRB index of the PUCCH resource in a second mapping position (the PUCCH resource is mapped to two different PRB indices (one for the first hop/mapping position, one for the second hop/mapping position) as part of frequency hopping, see paragraphs [0035]–[0036], [0038]); and that the frequency-domain position to which the PUCCH resource is mapped is determined based on a PRB offset and a set of initial cyclic shift indexes comprises (the PRB indices for the PUCCH resource are determined as a function of the PRB offset (RB_BWP^offset), the PUCCH resource index (r_PUCCH), and the total number of cyclic shift indices (N_CS), see paragraphs [0035]–[0036], [0038]): if └rPUCCH/8┘=0, the first start PRB index of the PUCCH resource in the first mapping position is (RBBWP offset+└rPUCCH/NCS┘)·N, and the second start PRB index of the PUCCH resource in the second mapping position is NBWP size−(RBBWP offset+└rPUCCH/NCS┘+1)·N (Exact formula for ⌊r_PUCCH/8⌋=0, see paragraphs [0036], [0084], [0095]); or if └rPUCCH/8┘=1, the first start PRB index of the PUCCH resource in the first mapping position is NBWP size−(RBBWP offset+└(rPUCCH−8)/NCS┘+1)·N, and the second start PRB index of the PUCCH resource in the second mapping position is (RBBWP offset+└(rPUCCH−8)/NCS┘)·N, (Exact formula for ⌊r_PUCCH/8⌋=1, see paragraphs [0038], [0084], [0095]) wherein RBBWP offset is the PRB offset, rPUCCH is an index of the PUCCH resource, NCS is a total quantity of initial cyclic shift indexes in the set of initial cyclic shift indexes, NBWP size is a quantity of PRBs occupied by a bandwidth part (BWP), N is a quantity of PRBs occupied by the PUCCH resource, and N is a positive integer greater than 1 (all these parameters in the context of the formulas and resource configuration, [0035]–[0039]: Definitions and usage of PRB offset, r_PUCCH, N_CS, N_BWP^size, and N; [0084], [0095]: Multi-PRB resource context and parameter definitions).
Regarding claim 4, wherein that frequency-domain positions to which the PUCCH resource is mapped in at least two consecutive time units in the first duration are different comprises: in the at least two consecutive time units, if └rPUCCH/8┘=0, the first start PRB index of the PUCCH resource in the first mapping position is cyclically shifted by N PRBs in ascending order of PRB indexes, and the second start PRB index of the PUCCH resource in the second mapping position is cyclically shifted by N PRBs in descending order of the PRB indexes; or if └rPUCCH/8┘=1, the first start PRB index of the PUCCH resource in the first mapping position is cyclically shifted by N PRBs in descending order of PRB indexes, and the second start PRB index of the PUCCH resource in the second mapping position is cyclically shifted by N PRBs in ascending order of the PRB indexes; or in the at least two consecutive time units, if └rPUCCH/8┘=0, the first start PRB index of the PUCCH resource in the first mapping position is cyclically shifted by N PRBs in descending order of PRB indexes, and the second start PRB index of the PUCCH resource in the second mapping position is cyclically shifted by N PRBs in ascending order of the PRB indexes; or if └rPUCCH/8=1, the first start PRB index of the PUCCH resource in the first mapping position is cyclically shifted by N PRBs in ascending order of PRB indexes, and the second start PRB index of the PUCCH resource in the second mapping position is cyclically shifted by N PRBs in descending order of the PRB indexes (for ⌊rPUCCH/8⌋=0, the first hop PRB index increases (ascending), and the second hop PRB index decreases (descending); for ⌊rPUCCH/8⌋=1, the first hop PRB index decreases (descending), and the second hop PRB index increases (ascending). This matches the cyclic shifting in opposite directions as claimed. If ⌊rPUCCH/8⌋ = 0: First hop (first mapping position):
PRB index = RB_BWP_offset + ⌊rPUCCH/NCS⌋ As rPUCCH increases, this index increases (i.e., the PRB index moves in ascending order). Second hop (second mapping position):
PRB index = NBWP_size − 1 − RB_BWP_offset − ⌊rPUCCH/NCS⌋. As rPUCCH increases, this index decreases (i.e., the PRB index moves in descending order).
If ⌊rPUCCH/8⌋ = 1: First hop (first mapping position): PRB index = NBWP_size − 1 − RB_BWP_offset − ⌊(rPUCCH−8)/NCS⌋ As rPUCCH increases, this index decreases (descending order). Second hop (second mapping position): PRB index = RB_BWP_offset + ⌊(rPUCCH−8)/NCS⌋ As rPUCCH increases, this index increases (ascending order). see [0036]–[0039], [0084], [0095]).
Regarding claim 6, sending first indication information to a terminal device, wherein the first indication information is used to determine a frequency-domain position to which a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resource is mapped (The network (base station) sends PUCCH resource configuration information (including PRB offset, cyclic shift index set, etc.) to the UE (terminal device) via higher layer signaling or system information. This information is used by the UE to determine the frequency-domain position of the PUCCH resource. See [0025]–[0027], [0035]); and receiving information from the terminal device in first duration, wherein frequency-domain positions to which the PUCCH resource is mapped in at least two consecutive time units in the first duration are different (The network receives uplink control information (UCI, e.g., HARQ-ACK, SR, CSI) from the UE (terminal device) using the PUCCH resource. The PUCCH resource is mapped to different frequency-domain positions in at least two consecutive time units (due to frequency hopping).See [0018], [0029], [0030], [0035]–[0036], [0038], [0081], [0084]). wherein the frequency-domain position to which the PUCCH resource is mapped comprises a first start PRB index of the PUCCH resource in a first mapping position and a second start PRB index of the PUCCH resource in a second mapping position (the PUCCH resource is mapped to two different PRB indices (one for the first hop/mapping position, one for the second hop/mapping position) as part of frequency hopping, see paragraphs [0035]–[0036], [0038]); and that the frequency-domain position to which the PUCCH resource is mapped is determined based on a PRB offset and a set of initial cyclic shift indexes comprises (the PRB indices for the PUCCH resource are determined as a function of the PRB offset (RB_BWP^offset), the PUCCH resource index (r_PUCCH), and the total number of cyclic shift indices (N_CS), see paragraphs [0035]–[0036], [0038]): if └rPUCCH/8┘=0, the first start PRB index of the PUCCH resource in the first mapping position is (RBBWP offset+└rPUCCH/NCS┘)·N, and the second start PRB index of the PUCCH resource in the second mapping position is NBWP size−(RBBWP offset+└rPUCCH/NCS┘+1)·N (Exact formula for ⌊r_PUCCH/8⌋=0, see paragraphs [0036], [0084], [0095]); or if └rPUCCH/8┘=1, the first start PRB index of the PUCCH resource in the first mapping position is NBWP size−(RBBWP offset+└(rPUCCH−8)/NCS┘+1)·N, and the second start PRB index of the PUCCH resource in the second mapping position is (RBBWP offset+└(rPUCCH−8)/NCS┘)·N, (Exact formula for ⌊r_PUCCH/8⌋=1, see paragraphs [0038], [0084], [0095]) wherein RBBWP offset is the PRB offset, rPUCCH is an index of the PUCCH resource, NCS is a total quantity of initial cyclic shift indexes in the set of initial cyclic shift indexes, NBWP size is a quantity of PRBs occupied by a bandwidth part (BWP), N is a quantity of PRBs occupied by the PUCCH resource, and N is a positive integer greater than 1 (all these parameters in the context of the formulas and resource configuration, [0035]–[0039]: Definitions and usage of PRB offset, r_PUCCH, N_CS, N_BWP^size, and N; [0084], [0095]: Multi-PRB resource context and parameter definitions).
Regarding claim 9, wherein that frequency-domain positions to which the PUCCH resource is mapped in at least two consecutive time units in the first duration are different comprises: in the at least two consecutive time units, if └rPUCCH/8┘=0, the first start PRB index of the PUCCH resource in the first mapping position is cyclically shifted by N PRBs in ascending order of PRB indexes, and the second start PRB index of the PUCCH resource in the second mapping position is cyclically shifted by N PRBs in descending order of the PRB indexes; or if └rPUCCH/8┘=1, the first start PRB index of the PUCCH resource in the first mapping position is cyclically shifted by N PRBs in descending order of PRB indexes, and the second start PRB index of the PUCCH resource in the second mapping position is cyclically shifted by N PRBs in ascending order of the PRB indexes; or in the at least two consecutive time units, if └rPUCCH/8┘=0, the first start PRB index of the PUCCH resource in the first mapping position is cyclically shifted by N PRBs in descending order of PRB indexes, and the second start PRB index of the PUCCH resource in the second mapping position is cyclically shifted by N PRBs in ascending order of the PRB indexes; or if └rPUCCH/8=1, the first start PRB index of the PUCCH resource in the first mapping position is cyclically shifted by N PRBs in ascending order of PRB indexes, and the second start PRB index of the PUCCH resource in the second mapping position is cyclically shifted by N PRBs in descending order of the PRB indexes (for ⌊rPUCCH/8⌋=0, the first hop PRB index increases (ascending), and the second hop PRB index decreases (descending); for ⌊rPUCCH/8⌋=1, the first hop PRB index decreases (descending), and the second hop PRB index increases (ascending). This matches the cyclic shifting in opposite directions as claimed. If ⌊rPUCCH/8⌋ = 0: First hop (first mapping position):
PRB index = RB_BWP_offset + ⌊rPUCCH/NCS⌋ As rPUCCH increases, this index increases (i.e., the PRB index moves in ascending order). Second hop (second mapping position):
PRB index = NBWP_size − 1 − RB_BWP_offset − ⌊rPUCCH/NCS⌋. As rPUCCH increases, this index decreases (i.e., the PRB index moves in descending order).
If ⌊rPUCCH/8⌋ = 1: First hop (first mapping position): PRB index = NBWP_size − 1 − RB_BWP_offset − ⌊(rPUCCH−8)/NCS⌋ As rPUCCH increases, this index decreases (descending order). Second hop (second mapping position): PRB index = RB_BWP_offset + ⌊(rPUCCH−8)/NCS⌋ As rPUCCH increases, this index increases (ascending order). see [0036]–[0039], [0084], [0095]).
System claims 11, 14, 16, 19 are the system counterparts of method claims 1, 4, 6, 9. Thus, claims 11, 14, 16, 19 are rejected under the same reasoning.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 5, 10, 15, 20 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) 1, 4-6, 9-11, 14-16, 19-20 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument.
Conclusion
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
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/KWANG B YAO/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2473
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