DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
Claims 1-14 and 22-27 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as anticipated by Remaining issue on prioritization of positioning assistance data [R1] or, in the alternative, under 35 U.S.C. 103 as obvious over R1 in view of Jain et al (US 2017/0280280)[R2].
For claim 1, R1 discloses obtaining positioning reference signal configuration information (section 2, Section 3 Fig 1-4) ; obtaining preferred measurement reporting window information (Section 2, Section 3 Fig 1-4): priority values for a plurality of positioning reference signals, wherein each priority value for a respective positioning reference signal is based at least in part on the positioning reference signal configuration information and the preferred measurement reporting window information Section 2, Section 3, Fig 1-4); and reporting measurement values for one or more of the plurality of positioning reference signals based on the priority value (Section 2, Section 3, Fig 1-4). Or, in the alternative, R2 discloses reporting measurement values for one or more of the plurality of positioning reference signals based on priority values (paragraph 30). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art prior to the effective filing date of the invention to modify R1 to use reporting measurement values for one or more of the plurality of positioning reference signals based on the priority value taught by R2. The rationale to combine would be to allow the invention to perform required functions and to increase efficiency of transmissions.
For claims 2 and 23, R1 does not explicitly state the preferred measurement reporting window information includes a time value and a delta time value, wherein a preferred measurement reporting window is a period of time equal to the time value minus the delta time value to the time value plus the delta time value. However, Examiner takes Official Notice that the use of the preferred measurement reporting window information includes a time value and a delta time value, wherein a preferred measurement reporting window is a period of time equal to the time value minus the delta time value to the time value plus the delta time value was common and well known in the art prior to the effective filing date. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art prior to the effective filing date of the invention to modify the previous combination to use a the preferred measurement reporting window information includes a time value and a delta time value, wherein a preferred measurement reporting window is a period of time equal to the time value minus the delta time value to the time value plus the delta time value. The technical reasoning to combine would be to use a commonly used method of determining a time interval, to allow enough time for transmission of data, and design choice.
For claims 3 and 24, R1 discloses determining a first set of positioning reference signals to be measured inside of the preferred measurement reporting window and a second set of positioning reference signals to be measured outside of the preferred measurement reporting window, wherein each positioning reference signal in the first set of positioning reference signals will have a higher priority than any positioning reference signal in the second set of positioning reference signals. Or, in the alternative, Examiner takes Official Notice that the use of determining a first set of positioning reference signals to be measured inside of the preferred measurement reporting window and a second set of positioning reference signals to be measured outside of the preferred measurement reporting window, wherein each positioning reference signal in the first set of positioning reference signals will have a higher priority than any positioning reference signal in the second set of positioning reference signals. was common and well known in the art prior to the effective filing date. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art prior to the effective filing date of the invention to modify the previous combination to use determining a first set of positioning reference signals to be measured inside of the preferred measurement reporting window and a second set of positioning reference signals to be measured outside of the preferred measurement reporting window, wherein each positioning reference signal in the first set of positioning reference signals will have a higher priority than any positioning reference signal in the second set of positioning reference signals.. The technical reasoning to combine would be to increase transmission efficiency.
For claims 4 and 25, R1 discloses the first set of positioning reference signals and the second set of positioning reference signals are respectively sorted based on the measurement values for each of the positioning reference signals (Section 2, Section 3 Fig 1-4). Or, in the alternative, Examiner takes Official Notice that the first set of positioning reference signals and the second set of positioning reference signals are respectively sorted based on the measurement values for each of the positioning reference signals was common and well known in the art prior to the effective filing date. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art prior to the effective filing date of the invention to modify the previous combination to use the first set of positioning reference signals and the second set of positioning reference signals are respectively sorted based on the measurement values for each of the positioning reference signals. The technical reasoning to combine would be to use a commonly used method of determining values, increased speed, and design choice.
For claim 5, R1 discloses the second set of positioning reference signals is limited to one or more positioning reference signals received to the left of the preferred measurement reporting window (section 2, Section 3 Fig 1-4). Or, in the alternative, Examiner takes Official Notice that the second set of positioning reference signals is limited to one or more positioning reference signals received to the left of the preferred measurement reporting window was common and well known in the art prior to the effective filing date. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art prior to the effective filing date of the invention to modify the previous combination to use the second set of positioning reference signals is limited to one or more positioning reference signals received to the left of the preferred measurement reporting window. The technical reasoning to combine would be to use a commonly used method of determining values, increased speed, and design choice.
For claim 6, R1 discloses the second set of positioning reference signals is limited to one or more positioning reference signals received to the right of the preferred measurement reporting window (section 2, Section 3 Fig 1-4). Or, in the alternative, Examiner takes Official Notice that the second set of positioning reference signals is limited to one or more positioning reference signals received to the right of the preferred measurement reporting window was common and well known in the art prior to the effective filing date. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art prior to the effective filing date of the invention to modify the previous combination to use the second set of positioning reference signals is limited to one or more positioning reference signals received to the right of the preferred measurement reporting window. The technical reasoning to combine would be to use a commonly used method of determining values, increased speed, and design choice.
For claims 7 and 26, R1 discloses first set of positioning reference signals and the second set of positioning reference signals are respectively sorted based on distance values measured from the time value for each of the positioning reference signals (section 2, Section 3 Fig 1-4). Or, in the alternative, Examiner takes Official Notice that the first set of positioning reference signals and the second set of positioning reference signals are respectively sorted based on distance values measured from the time value for each of the positioning reference signals was common and well known in the art prior to the effective filing date. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art prior to the effective filing date of the invention to modify the previous combination to use the first set of positioning reference signals and the second set of positioning reference signals are respectively sorted based on distance values measured from the time value for each of the positioning reference signals. The technical reasoning to combine would be to use a commonly used method of determining values, increased speed, and design choice.
For claim 8, R1 discloses the second set of positioning reference signals is limited to one or more positioning reference signals received to the left of the preferred measurement reporting window (section 2, Section 3 Fig 1-4). Or, in the alternative, Examiner takes Official Notice that the second set of positioning reference signals is limited to one or more positioning reference signals received to the left of the preferred measurement reporting window was common and well known in the art prior to the effective filing date. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art prior to the effective filing date of the invention to modify the previous combination to use the second set of positioning reference signals is limited to one or more positioning reference signals received to the left of the preferred measurement reporting window. The technical reasoning to combine would be to use a commonly used method of determining values, increased speed, and design choice.
For claim 9, R1 discloses the second set of positioning reference signals is limited to one or more positioning reference signals received to the right of the preferred measurement reporting window (section 2, Section 3 Fig 1-4). Or, in the alternative, Examiner takes Official Notice that the second set of positioning reference signals is limited to one or more positioning reference signals received to the right of the preferred measurement reporting window was common and well known in the art prior to the effective filing date. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art prior to the effective filing date of the invention to modify the previous combination to use the second set of positioning reference signals is limited to one or more positioning reference signals received to the right of the preferred measurement reporting window. The technical reasoning to combine would be to use a commonly used method of determining values, increased speed, and design choice.
For claim 10, R1 discloses obtaining measurements for the one or more of the plurality of positioning reference signals based on the priority value (section 2, Section 3 Fig 1-4).
For claims 11 and 27, R1 discloses the positioning reference signal configuration information includes priority values for one or more positioning reference signals, and the first set of positioning reference signals and the second set of positioning reference signals are respectively sorted based at least in part on the priority values for the one or more positioning reference signals (section 2, Section 3 Fig 1-4). Or, in the alternative, Examiner takes Official Notice that the priority values are legacy values was common and well known in the art prior to the effective filing date. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art prior to the effective filing date of the invention to modify the previous combination to use legacy values. The technical reasoning to combine would be to use a commonly used method of determining values, increased speed, and design choice.
For claim 12, R1 discloses obtaining measurements for the one or more of the plurality of positioning reference signals based on the legacy priority values (section 2, Section 3 Fig 1-4). Or, in the alternative, Examiner takes Official Notice that the priority values are legacy values was common and well known in the art prior to the effective filing date. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art prior to the effective filing date of the invention to modify the previous combination to use legacy values. The technical reasoning to combine would be to use a commonly used method of determining values, increased speed, and design choice.
For claim 13, R1 discloses at least one of the plurality of positioning reference signals is a downlink positioning reference signal, a sidelink positioning reference signal or a sounding reference signal for positioning (section 2, Section 3 Fig 1-4).
For claim 14, R1 discloses the preferred measurement reporting window information is associated with a scheduled in advance measurement window (section 2, Section 3 Fig 1-4).
Or, in the alternative, Examiner takes Official Notice that the preferred measurement reporting window information is associated with a scheduled in advance measurement window was common and well known in the art prior to the effective filing date. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art prior to the effective filing date of the invention to modify the previous combination to use the preferred measurement reporting window information is associated with a scheduled in advance measurement window. The technical reasoning to combine would be to use a commonly used method of determining values, increased speed, and design choice.
For claim 22, R1 discloses a memory; at least one transceiver; at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver and configured to perform (Sections 2-3, Fig 1-4): obtain positioning reference signal configuration information (section 2, Section 3 Fig 1-4): obtain preferred measurement reporting window information (section 2, Section 3 Fig 1-4); determine priority values for a plurality of positioning reference signals, wherein each priority value for a respective positioning reference signal is based at least in part on the positioning reference signal configuration information and the preferred measurement reporting window information (section 2, Section 3 Fig 1-4); and report measurement values for one or more of the plurality of positioning reference signals based on the priority value (section 2, Section 3 Fig 1-4). Or, in the alternative, R2 discloses a memory (paragraphs 38-44, 76, 86-89); at least one transceiver (paragraphs 38-44, 76, 86-89); at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver and configured to perform steps (paragraphs 38-44, 76, 86-89). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art prior to the effective filing date of the invention to modify R1 to use a memory; at least one transceiver; at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver and configured to perform the steps taught by R2. The rationale to combine would be to increase marketability and save costs. Or, in the alternative, R2 discloses reporting measurement values for one or more of the plurality of positioning reference signals based on priority values (paragraph 30). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art prior to the effective filing date of the invention to modify R1 to use reporting measurement values for one or more of the plurality of positioning reference signals based on the priority value taught by R2. The rationale to combine would be to allow the invention to perform required functions and to increase efficiency of transmissions.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure: Sasaki (US 2014/0161014) discloses position reference signaling.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to CHRISTOPHER R CROMPTON whose telephone number is (571)270-3678. The examiner can normally be reached 10AM-4PM ET M-Th.
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, Asad Nawaz can be reached at (571)272-3988. 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.
/CHRISTOPHER R CROMPTON/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2463