DETAILED ACTION
This communication is in response to the claims filed on 12/11/2023.
Application No: 18/569,065
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
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 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.
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 of this title, 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 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 1-6, 8-9, 15-20, 22-23 and 29-30 are rejected under 35 U. S. C. 103 as being unpatentable over KIMSoengHun et al. (US 20160374032 A1) in view of CHENG et al. ( US 20200100193 A1).
Regarding claim 1, KIMSoengHun teaches a user equipment (UE) ([0016], e.g. Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention provides a PH reporting method and device for a wireless communication system supporting carrier aggregation that allows a UE to report available PH per uplink carrier. [0084] The base station includes a transceiver 1405, a controller 1410, a PH calculator 1415, a multiplexer/demultiplexer 1420, a control message processor 1435, upper layer devices 1425 and 1430, and a scheduler 1440), comprising:
a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory, the processor and the memory ([0078], e.g. FIG. 13 (1335 – a processor with a memory) is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a UE for an LTE-A wireless communication system,), configured to:
receive a plurality of power headroom report (PHR) configurations ([0017], e.g. The method includes receiving (i.e. receiving at a UE transmitted from a base station) a configuration message to configure at least one uplink carrier (i.e. at least one - indicates plurality of configuration reports) ; triggering a power headroom report (PHR) for a first uplink carrier if a predetermined event occurs, detecting an allocation of an uplink transmission resource for the PHR… . [0068] A UE first receives a PHR configuration message from an ENB at step 1005. The PHR configuration message contains information about a UL CC to be configured for PHR and parameters related to the PHR. From the PHR configuration message or a previously received carrier configuration message (i.e. receiving multiple configurations messages), the UE recognizes a DL CC related to the PHR-designated UL CC (i.e. Obviously, if one configuration report is received, then plurality of configurations reports also received for a plurality of UE devices)).
KIMSoengHun teaches methods and apparatus are provided for reporting a Power Headroom (PH) of a User Equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system having a plurality of aggregated uplink carriers. However KIMSoengHun differs from the claimed invention in not specifically and clearly describing wherein
each of the plurality of PHR configurations is associated with a different communication configuration of a plurality of communication configurations of the UE; and
transmit one or more PHRs based on the plurality of PHR configurations.
However, in the analogous field of endeavor, CHENG teaches wherein
each of the plurality of PHR configurations is associated with a different communication configuration of a plurality of communication configurations of the UE ([0050], e.g. In some of such implementations, the UE may associate each pathloss reference RS with a pathloss reference group based on an RS index(s) configured in a particular configuration for pathloss calculation (i.e. group configured in a particular configuration - indicates plurality of configurations). Such a particular configuration may include at least one of a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) configuration, a PUCCH configuration, an SRS configuration, and a TRP-to-RS mapping table/configuration. In some of the present implementations, the TRP-to-RS mapping table/configuration may be used to help a UE to determine the source or destination of each RS); and
transmit one or more PHRs based on the plurality of PHR configurations ([0042], e.g. For example, a UE may transmit a PHR to inform a BS (e.g., a serving gNB) of a difference between a nominal UE maximum transmit power and an estimated UL transmit power).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to implement the method of CHENG within the method of KIMSoengHun. The motivation to combine references is that the combined system provides a method for triggering Power Headroom Reports (PHRs). The method includes obtaining, by a user equipment (UE), information that indicates an association among multiple pathloss reference groups and multiple Transmission and Reception Points (TRPs), and determining, by the UE, whether a pathloss difference between a first pathloss estimated by a first pathloss reference Reference Signal (RS) and a second pathloss estimated by a second pathloss reference RS is larger than a Power Headroom Report (PHR) trigger threshold (See CHENG [abstract]).
Regarding claim 2, KIMSoengHun in view of CHENG teaches all the limitations of claim 1. CHENG further teaches wherein the plurality of communication configurations of the UE comprise one or more of: a plurality of sounding reference signal resource sets; a plurality of power control parameter sets; a plurality of transmit beams of the UE; a plurality of serving cells; a plurality of serving cell and sounding reference signal resource set combinations; a plurality of serving cell and power control parameter set combinations; or a plurality of serving cell and transmit beam combinations ([0042], e.g. As described above, PHR procedures may be used to indicate how much transmission power is left for a UE to use in addition to the power being used by a current transmission. For example, a UE may transmit a PHR to inform a BS (e.g., a serving gNB) of a difference between a nominal UE maximum transmit power and an estimated UL transmit power (e.g., the transmit power for a UL-Shared Channel (UL-SCH) or a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS)) on an activated serving cell. In some of the present implementations, the PHR may further indicate a difference between a nominal UE maximum transmit power and an estimated transmit power of an UL-SCH).
The motivation to combine reference of CHENG within the method of KIMSoengHun before the effective filing date of the invention is that the new method provides that PHRs may be used to indicate how much transmission power is left for a user equipment (UE) to use in addition to the power being used by a current transmission. However, the PHR triggering mechanism in current wireless communication systems may not be adequate for UEs performing multi-TRP operations. Therefore, there is a need in the art for providing methods and apparatuses for triggering PHRs in the next generation wireless communication systems (See CHENG [0004-0005]).
Regarding claim 3, KIMSoengHun in view of CHENG teaches all the limitations of claim 1. KIMSoengHun further teaches wherein each of the plurality of PHR configurations comprises a plurality of parameters, and wherein to receive the plurality of PHR configurations comprises to receive separate values for all of the plurality of parameters for each of the plurality of PHR configurations ([0068], e.g. A UE first receives a PHR configuration message from an ENB at step 1005. The PHR configuration message contains information about a UL CC to be configured for PHR and parameters related to the PHR (i.e. each of the plurality of PHR configurations comprises a plurality of parameters). From the PHR configuration message or a previously received carrier configuration message, the UE recognizes a DL CC related to the PHR-designated UL CC. [0069] The UE determines whether a valid path loss measurement value of the DL CC exists in step 1010 (i.e. receive the plurality of PHR configurations comprises to receive separate values for all of the plurality of parameters)).
Regarding claim 4, KIMSoengHun in view of CHENG teaches all the limitations of claim 3. KIMSoengHun further teaches wherein the plurality of parameters comprise a periodic timer, a prohibit timer and a power factor change ([0073], e.g. the UE starts a timer in step 1120 (i.e. a periodic timer ) for triggering PHR after the path loss of the related DL CC is measured. The timer (i.e. a periodic or a prohibit timer ) can be set with a predetermined duration or a duration indicated by a control message). [0074] for example, the timer may be set to a fixed value (i.e. a periodic timer), such as, for example, 200 msec. The timer (i.e. a prohibit timer) may also be set to a value equal to any measurement period specified in the Standard. When the timer expires in step 1125, the UE triggers the PHR for the uplink carrier in step 1130).
Regarding claim 5, KIMSoengHun in view of CHENG teaches all the limitations of claim 3. KIMSoengHun further teaches wherein to transmit the one or more PHRs based on the plurality of PHR configurations comprises to:
transmit a first PHR based on the plurality of parameters of a first communication configuration and independent of the plurality of parameters of a second communication configuration ([0039], e.g. When the PHs of uplink carriers 430 and 435 are determined, similar path losses and accumulated power adjustment command values are utilized. Therefore, it is efficient to transmit a PHR of one of uplink carriers 430 and 435. Similarly, since the PHs of uplink carriers 440, 445 and 450 belong to the same 2500 MHz frequency band, they are also determined using similar path losses and accumulated power adjustment command values (i.e. transmit a first PHR based on accumulated power adjustment command values ); and
transmit a second PHR based on the plurality of parameters of the second communication configuration and independent of the plurality of parameters of the first communication configuration ([0064], e.g. when a new uplink carrier is configured/activated and configured for PHR, the UE acquires a valid path loss of a corresponding downlink carrier by measuring over a predetermined time and transmits the PHR at a first transmission chance after the measurement. …. An uplink carrier is configured/activated when the ENB sends the UE configuration information about the uplink carrier and instructs the UE to prepare for transmission over the uplink carrier. The path loss of a downlink carrier is measured by measuring received strength of a reference signal on the downlink carrier and subtracting the measurement from the downlink transmission power (i.e. transmit a second PHR based on measuring received strength of a reference signa)).
Regarding claim 6, KIMSoengHun in view of CHENG teaches all the limitations of claim 1. KIMSoengHun further teaches wherein each of the plurality of PHR configurations comprises a plurality of parameters, and wherein to receive the plurality of PHR configurations comprises to:
receive one or more separate values for one or more of the plurality of parameters for each of the plurality of PHR configurations [0068], e.g. From the PHR configuration message or a previously received carrier configuration message, the UE recognizes a DL CC related to the PHR-designated UL CC. [0069] The UE determines whether a valid path loss measurement value of the DL CC exists in step 1010 (i.e. receive the plurality of PHR configurations comprises to receive separate values for all of the plurality of parameters)); and
receive at least one common value for at least one of the plurality of parameters for all of the plurality of PHR configurations ([0074], e.g. The timer may also be set to a value equal to any measurement period specified in the Standard (i.e. receive at least one common timer value as per Standard). When the timer expires in step 1125, the UE triggers the PHR for the uplink carrier in step 1130).
Regarding claim 8, KIMSoengHun in view of CHENG teaches all the limitations of claim 6. KIMSoengHun further teaches wherein to transmit the one or more PHRs based on the plurality of PHR configurations comprises to: transmit a first PHR based on the plurality of parameters of a first communication configuration ([0039], e.g. When the PHs of uplink carriers 430 and 435 are determined, similar path losses and accumulated power adjustment command values are utilized. Therefore, it is efficient to transmit a PHR of one of uplink carriers 430 and 435. Similarly, since the PHs of uplink carriers 440, 445 and 450 belong to the same 2500 MHz frequency band, they are also determined using similar path losses and accumulated power adjustment command values (i.e. transmit a first PHR based on accumulated power adjustment command values ), and
based on the plurality of parameters of a second communication configuration ([0064], e.g. when a new uplink carrier is configured/activated and configured for PHR, the UE acquires a valid path loss of a corresponding downlink carrier by measuring over a predetermined time and transmits the PHR at a first transmission chance after the measurement. …. An uplink carrier is configured/activated when the ENB sends the UE configuration information about the uplink carrier and instructs the UE to prepare for transmission over the uplink carrier. The path loss of a downlink carrier is measured by measuring received strength of a reference signal on the downlink carrier and subtracting the measurement from the downlink transmission power (i.e. transmit a second PHR based on measuring received strength of a reference signa)).
Regarding claim 9, KIMSoengHun in view of CHENG teaches all the limitations of claim 6. CHENG further teaches wherein the plurality of PHR configurations are received in a radio resource control (RRC) message ([0048], e.g. each TRP may be associated with a pathloss reference group that includes at least one pathloss reference RS. The UE may be configured with the pathloss reference groups by a BS through Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling).
The motivation to combine reference of CHENG within the method of KIMSoengHun before the effective filing date of the invention is that the new method provides that PHRs may be used to indicate how much transmission power is left for a user equipment (UE) to use in addition to the power being used by a current transmission. However, the PHR triggering mechanism in current wireless communication systems may not be adequate for UEs performing multi-TRP operations. Therefore, there is a need in the art for providing methods and apparatuses for triggering PHRs in the next generation wireless communication systems (See CHENG [0004-0005]).
Regarding claim 15, KIMSoengHun teaches a base station (BS) ([0084], e.g. The base station includes a transceiver 1405, a controller 1410, a PH calculator 1415, a multiplexer/demultiplexer 1420, a control message processor 1435, upper layer devices 1425 and 1430, and a scheduler 1440. [0016] Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention provides a PH reporting method and device for a wireless communication system supporting carrier aggregation that allows a UE to report available PH per uplink carrier.), comprising:
a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory, the processor and the memory ([0089], e.g. The control message processor 1435 (i.e. a processor with memory) generates a control message to be transmitted to the UE and interprets the control message transmitted by the UE to execute an operation instructed by the control message (i.e. a processor coupled to the memory)), configured to:
transmit a plurality of power headroom report (PHR) configurations ([0086], e.g. The controller 1410 also determines whether a PHR is contained in the received MAC PDU and, if any, transports PHR to the PH calculator 1415. The PH calculator 1415 recognizes the available transmission power of a specific carrier of the corresponding UE based on the PHR and reports the available transmission power to the scheduler 144 (i.e. transmit a plurality of power headroom report (PHR) configurations). [0017] The method includes receiving (i.e. receiving at a UE transmitted from a base station) a configuration message to configure at least one uplink carrier (i.e. at least one - indicates plurality of configuration reports) ; triggering a power headroom report (PHR) for a first uplink carrier if a predetermined event occurs, detecting an allocation of an uplink transmission resource for the PHR… . [0068] A UE first receives a PHR configuration message from an ENB at step 1005. The PHR configuration message contains information about a UL CC to be configured for PHR and parameters related to the PHR. From the PHR configuration message or a previously received carrier configuration message (i.e. receiving multiple configurations messages), the UE recognizes a DL CC related to the PHR-designated UL CC (i.e. Obviously, if one configuration report is received, then plurality of configurations reports also received for a plurality of UE devices)).
KIMSoengHun teaches methods and apparatus are provided for reporting a Power Headroom (PH) of a User Equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system having a plurality of aggregated uplink carriers. However KIMSoengHun differs from the claimed invention in not specifically and clearly describing wherein
each of the plurality of PHR configurations is associated with a different communication configuration of a plurality of communication configurations of a user equipment (UE); and receive one or more PHRs based on the plurality of PHR configurations.
However, in the analogous field of endeavor, CHENG teaches wherein
each of the plurality of PHR configurations is associated with a different communication configuration of a plurality of communication configurations of a user equipment (UE) ([0050], e.g. In some of such implementations, the UE may associate each pathloss reference RS with a pathloss reference group based on an RS index(s) configured in a particular configuration for pathloss calculation (i.e. group configured in a particular configuration - indicates plurality of configurations). Such a particular configuration may include at least one of a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) configuration, a PUCCH configuration, an SRS configuration, and a TRP-to-RS mapping table/configuration. In some of the present implementations, the TRP-to-RS mapping table/configuration may be used to help a UE to determine the source or destination of each RS); and
receive one or more PHRs based on the plurality of PHR configurations ([0042], e.g. For example, a UE may transmit a PHR to inform a BS (e.g., a serving gNB) of a difference between a nominal UE maximum transmit power and an estimated UL transmit power).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to implement the method of CHENG within the method of KIMSoengHun. The motivation to combine references is that the combined system provides a method for triggering Power Headroom Reports (PHRs). The method includes obtaining, by a user equipment (UE), information that indicates an association among multiple pathloss reference groups and multiple Transmission and Reception Points (TRPs), and determining, by the UE, whether a pathloss difference between a first pathloss estimated by a first pathloss reference Reference Signal (RS) and a second pathloss estimated by a second pathloss reference RS is larger than a Power Headroom Report (PHR) trigger threshold (See CHENG [abstract]).
Regarding claim 16, KIMSoengHun in view of CHENG teaches all the limitations of claim 15. CHENG further teaches wherein the plurality of communication configurations of the UE comprise one or more of:
a plurality of sounding reference signal resource sets; a plurality of power control parameter sets; a plurality of transmit beams of the UE; a plurality of serving cells; a plurality of serving cell and sounding reference signal resource set combinations; a plurality of serving cell and power control parameter set combinations; or a plurality of serving cell and transmit beam combinations ([0042], e.g. As described above, PHR procedures may be used to indicate how much transmission power is left for a UE to use in addition to the power being used by a current transmission. For example, a UE may transmit a PHR to inform a BS (e.g., a serving gNB) of a difference between a nominal UE maximum transmit power and an estimated UL transmit power (e.g., the transmit power for a UL-Shared Channel (UL-SCH) or a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS)) on an activated serving cell. In some of the present implementations, the PHR may further indicate a difference between a nominal UE maximum transmit power and an estimated transmit power of an UL-SCH).
The motivation to combine reference of CHENG within the method of KIMSoengHun before the effective filing date of the invention is that the new method provides that PHRs may be used to indicate how much transmission power is left for a user equipment (UE) to use in addition to the power being used by a current transmission. However, the PHR triggering mechanism in current wireless communication systems may not be adequate for UEs performing multi-TRP operations. Therefore, there is a need in the art for providing methods and apparatuses for triggering PHRs in the next generation wireless communication systems (See CHENG [0004-0005]).
Regarding claim 17 , KIMSoengHun in view of CHENG teaches all the limitations of claim 15. KIMSoengHun further teaches wherein each of the plurality of PHR configurations comprises a plurality of parameters, and wherein to transmit the plurality of PHR configurations comprises to transmit separate values for all of the plurality of parameters for each of the plurality of PHR configurations ([0068], e.g. A UE first receives a PHR configuration message from an ENB at step 1005. The PHR configuration message contains information about a UL CC to be configured for PHR and parameters related to the PHR (i.e. each of the plurality of PHR configurations comprises a plurality of parameters). From the PHR configuration message or a previously received carrier configuration message, the UE recognizes a DL CC related to the PHR-designated UL CC. [0069] The UE determines whether a valid path loss measurement value of the DL CC exists in step 1010 (i.e. receive the plurality of PHR configurations comprises to receive separate values for all of the plurality of parameters)).
Regarding claim 18, KIMSoengHun in view of CHENG teaches all the limitations of claim 15. KIMSoengHun further teaches wherein the plurality of parameters comprise a periodic timer, a prohibit timer, and a power factor change ([0073], e.g. the UE starts a timer in step 1120 (i.e. a periodic timer ) for triggering PHR after the path loss of the related DL CC is measured. The timer (i.e. a periodic or a prohibit timer ) can be set with a predetermined duration or a duration indicated by a control message). [0074] for example, the timer may be set to a fixed value (i.e. a periodic timer), such as, for example, 200 msec. The timer (i.e. a prohibit timer) may also be set to a value equal to any measurement period specified in the Standard. When the timer expires in step 1125, the UE triggers the PHR for the uplink carrier in step 1130).
Regarding claim 19, KIMSoengHun in view of CHENG teaches all the limitations of claim 17. KIMSoengHun further teaches wherein to receive the one or more PHRs based on the plurality of PHR configurations comprises to:
receive a first PHR based on the plurality of parameters of a first communication configuration and independent of the plurality of parameters of a second communication configuration ([0039], e.g. When the PHs of uplink carriers 430 and 435 are determined, similar path losses and accumulated power adjustment command values are utilized. Therefore, it is efficient to transmit a PHR of one of uplink carriers 430 and 435. Similarly, since the PHs of uplink carriers 440, 445 and 450 belong to the same 2500 MHz frequency band, they are also determined using similar path losses and accumulated power adjustment command values (i.e. transmit a first PHR based on accumulated power adjustment command values ); and
receive a second PHR based on the plurality of parameters of the second communication configuration and independent of the plurality of parameters of the first communication configuration [0064], e.g. when a new uplink carrier is configured/activated and configured for PHR, the UE acquires a valid path loss of a corresponding downlink carrier by measuring over a predetermined time and transmits the PHR at a first transmission chance after the measurement. …. An uplink carrier is configured/activated when the ENB sends the UE configuration information about the uplink carrier and instructs the UE to prepare for transmission over the uplink carrier. The path loss of a downlink carrier is measured by measuring received strength of a reference signal on the downlink carrier and subtracting the measurement from the downlink transmission power (i.e. transmit a second PHR based on measuring received strength of a reference signa)).
Regarding claim 20, KIMSoengHun in view of CHENG teaches all the limitations of claim 15. KIMSoengHun further teaches wherein each of the plurality of PHR configurations comprises a plurality of parameters, and wherein to transmit the plurality of PHR configurations comprises to: transmit one or more separate values for one or more of the plurality of parameters for each of the plurality of PHR configurations [0068], e.g. From the PHR configuration message or a previously received carrier configuration message, the UE recognizes a DL CC related to the PHR-designated UL CC. [0069] The UE determines whether a valid path loss measurement value of the DL CC exists in step 1010 (i.e. receive the plurality of PHR configurations comprises to receive separate values for all of the plurality of parameters); and
transmit at least one common value for at least one of the plurality of parameters for all of the plurality of PHR configurations ([0074], e.g. The timer may also be set to a value equal to any measurement period specified in the Standard (i.e. receive at least one common timer value as per Standard). When the timer expires in step 1125, the UE triggers the PHR for the uplink carrier in step 1130).
Regarding claim 22, KIMSoengHun in view of CHENG teaches all the limitations of claim 20. KIMSoengHun further teaches wherein to receive the one or more PHRs based on the plurality of PHR configurations comprises to: receive a first PHR based on the plurality of parameters of a first communication configuration ([0039], e.g. When the PHs of uplink carriers 430 and 435 are determined, similar path losses and accumulated power adjustment command values are utilized. Therefore, it is efficient to transmit a PHR of one of uplink carriers 430 and 435. Similarly, since the PHs of uplink carriers 440, 445 and 450 belong to the same 2500 MHz frequency band, they are also determined using similar path losses and accumulated power adjustment command values (i.e. transmit a first PHR based on accumulated power adjustment command values ), and
based on the plurality of parameters of a second communication configuration ([0064], e.g. when a new uplink carrier is configured/activated and configured for PHR, the UE acquires a valid path loss of a corresponding downlink carrier by measuring over a predetermined time and transmits the PHR at a first transmission chance after the measurement. …. An uplink carrier is configured/activated when the ENB sends the UE configuration information about the uplink carrier and instructs the UE to prepare for transmission over the uplink carrier. The path loss of a downlink carrier is measured by measuring received strength of a reference signal on the downlink carrier and subtracting the measurement from the downlink transmission power (i.e. transmit a second PHR based on measuring received strength of a reference signa)).
Regarding claim 23, KIMSoengHun in view of CHENG teaches all the limitations of claim 15. CHENG further teaches wherein the plurality of PHR configurations are transmitted in a radio resource control (RRC) message ([0048], e.g. each TRP may be associated with a pathloss reference group that includes at least one pathloss reference RS. The UE may be configured with the pathloss reference groups by a BS through Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling).
The motivation to combine reference of CHENG within the method of KIMSoengHun before the effective filing date of the invention is that the new method provides that PHRs may be used to indicate how much transmission power is left for a user equipment (UE) to use in addition to the power being used by a current transmission. However, the PHR triggering mechanism in current wireless communication systems may not be adequate for UEs performing multi-TRP operations. Therefore, there is a need in the art for providing methods and apparatuses for triggering PHRs in the next generation wireless communication systems (See CHENG [0004-0005]).
Regarding claim 29, KIMSoengHun teaches a method for wireless communication by a user equipment (UE) ([0016], e.g. Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention provides a PH reporting method and device for a wireless communication system supporting carrier aggregation that allows a UE to report available PH per uplink carrier. [0084] The base station includes a transceiver 1405, a controller 1410, a PH calculator 1415, a multiplexer/demultiplexer 1420, a control message processor 1435, upper layer devices 1425 and 1430, and a scheduler 1440), the method comprising:
receiving a plurality of power headroom report (PHR) configurations ([0017], e.g. The method includes receiving (i.e. receiving at a UE transmitted from a base station) a configuration message to configure at least one uplink carrier (i.e. at least one - indicates plurality of configuration reports) ; triggering a power headroom report (PHR) for a first uplink carrier if a predetermined event occurs, detecting an allocation of an uplink transmission resource for the PHR… . [0068] A UE first receives a PHR configuration message from an ENB at step 1005. The PHR configuration message contains information about a UL CC to be configured for PHR and parameters related to the PHR. From the PHR configuration message or a previously received carrier configuration message (i.e. receiving multiple configurations messages), the UE recognizes a DL CC related to the PHR-designated UL CC (i.e. Obviously, if one configuration report is received, then plurality of configurations reports also received for a plurality of UE devices)).
KIMSoengHun teaches methods and apparatus are provided for reporting a Power Headroom (PH) of a User Equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system having a plurality of aggregated uplink carriers. However KIMSoengHun differs from the claimed invention in not specifically and clearly describing wherein
each of the plurality of PHR configurations is associated with a different communication configuration of a plurality of communication configurations of the UE; and
transmit one or more PHRs based on the plurality of PHR configurations. wherein
each of the plurality of PHR configurations is associated with a different communication configuration of a plurality of communication configurations of the UE; and transmitting one or more PHRs based on the plurality of PHR configurations.
However, in the analogous field of endeavor, CHENG teaches wherein
each of the plurality of PHR configurations is associated with a different communication configuration of a plurality of communication configurations of the UE ([0050], e.g. In some of such implementations, the UE may associate each pathloss reference RS with a pathloss reference group based on an RS index(s) configured in a particular configuration for pathloss calculation (i.e. group configured in a particular configuration - indicates plurality of configurations). Such a particular configuration may include at least one of a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) configuration, a PUCCH configuration, an SRS configuration, and a TRP-to-RS mapping table/configuration. In some of the present implementations, the TRP-to-RS mapping table/configuration may be used to help a UE to determine the source or destination of each RS); and
transmitting one or more PHRs based on the plurality of PHR configurations ([0042], e.g. For example, a UE may transmit a PHR to inform a BS (e.g., a serving gNB) of a difference between a nominal UE maximum transmit power and an estimated UL transmit power).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to implement the method of CHENG within the method of KIMSoengHun. The motivation to combine references is that the combined system provides a method for triggering Power Headroom Reports (PHRs). The method includes obtaining, by a user equipment (UE), information that indicates an association among multiple pathloss reference groups and multiple Transmission and Reception Points (TRPs), and determining, by the UE, whether a pathloss difference between a first pathloss estimated by a first pathloss reference Reference Signal (RS) and a second pathloss estimated by a second pathloss reference RS is larger than a Power Headroom Report (PHR) trigger threshold (See CHENG [abstract]).
Regarding claim 30, KIMSoengHun teaches a non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a user equipment (UE) ([0078], e.g. FIG. 13 (1335 – a processor with a memory and executing instructions) is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a UE for an LTE-A wireless communication system), cause the UE to perform operations comprising:
receiving a plurality of power headroom report (PHR) configurations ([0017], e.g. The method includes receiving (i.e. receiving at a UE transmitted from a base station) a configuration message to configure at least one uplink carrier (i.e. at least one - indicates plurality of configuration reports) ; triggering a power headroom report (PHR) for a first uplink carrier if a predetermined event occurs, detecting an allocation of an uplink transmission resource for the PHR… . [0068] A UE first receives a PHR configuration message from an ENB at step 1005. The PHR configuration message contains information about a UL CC to be configured for PHR and parameters related to the PHR. From the PHR configuration message or a previously received carrier configuration message (i.e. receiving multiple configurations messages), the UE recognizes a DL CC related to the PHR-designated UL CC (i.e. Obviously, if one configuration report is received, then plurality of configurations reports also received for a plurality of UE devices)).
KIMSoengHun teaches methods and apparatus are provided for reporting a Power Headroom (PH) of a User Equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system having a plurality of aggregated uplink carriers. However KIMSoengHun differs from the claimed invention in not specifically and clearly describing wherein
each of the plurality of PHR configurations is associated with a different communication configuration of a plurality of communication configurations of the UE; and transmitting one or more PHRs based on the plurality of PHR configurations.
However, in the analogous field of endeavor, CHENG teaches wherein
each of the plurality of PHR configurations is associated with a different communication configuration of a plurality of communication configurations of the UE ([0050], e.g. In some of such implementations, the UE may associate each pathloss reference RS with a pathloss reference group based on an RS index(s) configured in a particular configuration for pathloss calculation (i.e. group configured in a particular configuration - indicates plurality of configurations). Such a particular configuration may include at least one of a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) configuration, a PUCCH configuration, an SRS configuration, and a TRP-to-RS mapping table/configuration. In some of the present implementations, the TRP-to-RS mapping table/configuration may be used to help a UE to determine the source or destination of each RS); and
transmitting one or more PHRs based on the plurality of PHR configurations ([0042], e.g. For example, a UE may transmit a PHR to inform a BS (e.g., a serving gNB) of a difference between a nominal UE maximum transmit power and an estimated UL transmit power).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to implement the method of CHENG within the method of KIMSoengHun. The motivation to combine references is that the combined system provides a method for triggering Power Headroom Reports (PHRs). The method includes obtaining, by a user equipment (UE), information that indicates an association among multiple pathloss reference groups and multiple Transmission and Reception Points (TRPs), and determining, by the UE, whether a pathloss difference between a first pathloss estimated by a first pathloss reference Reference Signal (RS) and a second pathloss estimated by a second pathloss reference RS is larger than a Power Headroom Report (PHR) trigger threshold (See CHENG [abstract]).
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 7, 10-14, 21 and 24-28 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, and amending claims to overcome any objection(s) and /or rejection(s) set forth in this Office action.
Prior Art Record
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent
to applicant’s disclosure.
KIM; Sang Bum (US-20150133181-A1) - Method for transmitting power headroom report (PHR) of user equipment (UE), involves generating extended PHR including maximum transmission power and indicator, based on configuration information and transmitting extended PHR to BS.
HE; Linhai (US-20200107272-A1) - POWER HEADROOM REPORT PROCEDURE FOR A WIRELESS NETWORK..
Khoshnevisan; Mostafa (US-20200186304-A1) - UPLINK REPORTING TECHNIQUES FOR MULTI TRANSMISSION-RECEPTION POINT TRANSMISSIONS.
YANG, YUBO (WO-2017118415-A1) - Method for indicating power headroom report, involves transmitting power headroom report, and obtaining power control and scheduling information by base station for performing scheduling configuration for current uplink data transmission.
HAN GUANGLIN (EP-2981127-B1) - METHOD FOR REPORTING POWER HEADROOM REPORT AND USER EQUIPMENT.
YAO, Ke (WO-2019192538-A1) - POWER HEADROOM REPORT METHOD, TPC COMMAND SENDING METHOD AND APPARATUS, BASE STATION, AND TERMINAL.
RYOO SUNHEUI (EP-3937553-A1) - . METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSMITTING POWER HEADROOM INFORMATION IN A COMMUNICATION SYSTEM.
ZHANG, Yu-shu (CN-116848896-A) - PHR report for multi-beam PUSCH transmission.
Conclusion
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/MAHENDRA R PATEL/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2645