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 .
Response to Amendment
Applicant's amendment filed on 06/02/2026 has been entered. Claims 1-2, 4, 23-24, 26 and 42 have been amended. No claims have been added or cancelled. Claims 1-6, 9, 12, 23-28, 31, 34 and 42-45 are still pending in this application, with claims 1, 23 and 42, being independent.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) 1-6, 9, 12, 23-28, 31, 34 and 42-45 have been considered but are moot but are moot based on new grounds of rejections.
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.
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.
Claim(s) 1-6, 9, 12, 23-28, 31, 34 and 42-45 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Ma et al. (US 2022/0007346; hereinafter) in view of Liberg et al. (US 2023/0055988; hereinafter Liberg).
Regarding claim 1, Ma shows a beam switching method (Figure 9 shows a method performed in part by a satellite UE of Figures 1 and 3.), performed by a satellite user equipment (UE) and comprising:
obtaining at least one of a target beam or a target bandwidth part (BWP) corresponding to the satellite UE indicated by a base station (Figure 9; Par. 0101-0102, 0127, 0130; receiving a BWP configuration that indicates one or more BWPs associated with at least one beam (block 910). The one or more BWPs includes at least a first BWP and a second BWP, wherein the second BWP as a target BWP for switching.); and
performing a service beam switching based on at least one of the target beam or the target BWP (Figure 9; Par. 0101-0102; switching, based at least in part on the BWP configuration, from the first BWP of the one or more BWPs as an active BWP to the second BWP of the one or more BWPs as the active BWP.).
Ma shows all of the elements as discussed above. Ma does not specifically obtaining time indication information sent by the base station, wherein the time indication information is configured to indicate a given service time of a current service beam; and obtaining at least one of the target beam or the BWP indicated by the base station, in a case where a difference between the given service time and a served time of the current service beam of the satellite UE is less than a time threshold.
However, the above-mentioned claim limitations are well-established in the art as evidenced by Liberg. Specifically, Liberg shows wherein the method further comprises: obtaining time indication information sent by the base station, wherein the time indication information is configured to indicate a given service time of a current service beam (Par. 0061-0063; information relevant for resuming a connection to the same beam or cell such as, for example, the time Tservice, may be signaled to the UE when the UE is sent from RRC connected mode to RRC inactive mode.); and
obtaining at least one of the target beam or the BWP indicated by the base station, in a case where a difference between the given service time and a served time of the current service beam of the satellite UE is less than a time threshold (Figures 13 and 15; Par. 0177; obtains a remaining service time (Tservice) associated with a first satellite or first spot beam. Based on the remaining service time, the wireless device determines whether to initiate a connection with the first satellite or first spot beam, at step 1204.).
In view of the above, having the system of Ma, then given the well-established teaching of Liberg, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Ma as taught by Liberg, in order to provide motivation to ensure that a connection establishment is performed in a cell that is expected to support the full Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection establishment, and hopefully even the full RRC connection before a handover to a new satellite and/or spotbeam is triggered. (Par. 0026 of Liberg).
Regarding claim 2, modified Ma shows receiving configuration information sent by the base station, wherein the configuration information comprises a candidate beam set and a candidate BWP set; wherein in case that a binding relationship is present between a candidate beam in the candidate beam set and a candidate BWP in the candidate BWP set when the configuration information comprises the candidate beam set and the candidate BWP set, the configuration information further comprises the binding relationship between the candidate beam and the candidate BWP (Ma: Par. 0066; the BWP configuration may indicate one or more BWPs associated with at least one beam. For example, as shown, the BWP configuration may indicate a number of BWPs (shown as UL BWP UL BWP 2, DL BWP 1, and DL BWP 2) corresponding to a first beam 515, a number of BWPs (shown as UL BWP 3, UL BWP 4, DL BWP 3, and DL BWP 4) corresponding to a second beam 520, and/or the like.).
Regarding claim 3, modified Ma shows obtaining at least one of the target beam or the target BWP indicated by the base station via a downlink control information (DCI) signaling (Par. 0104; the BWP configuration is carried in at least one of an RRC message, DCI, a MAC-CE, an SIB, or a combination thereof.).
Regarding claim 4, modified Ma shows wherein obtaining at least one of the target beam or the target BWP by the base station via the DCI signaling comprises:
obtaining the target beam indicated by the base station via a dedicated DCI signaling;
obtaining the target BWP indicated by the base station via a dedicated DCI signaling (Ma: Par. 0158; receiving DCI having a dedicated DCI format corresponding to inter-beam BWP switching.); or
obtaining the target beam and the target BWP indicated by the base station via a dedicated DCI signaling.
Regarding claim 5, modified Ma shows wherein obtaining the target beam and the target BWP indicated by the base station via the dedicated DCI signaling comprises one of:
obtaining the target beam and the target BWP which are explicitly indicated by the dedicated DCI signaling (Examiner elects this claim limitation for prosecution. Ma: Par. 0132; the BWP configuration is carried in DCI comprising a BWP ID field having a maximum number of bits that is greater than two.);
obtaining the target beam explicitly indicated by the dedicated DCI signaling and the target BWP implicitly indicated by the dedicated DCI signaling; or
obtaining the target BWP explicitly indicated by the dedicated DCI signaling and the target beam implicitly indicated by the dedicated DCI signaling.
Regarding claim 6, modified Ma shows obtaining the target beam indicated by a first information field of the dedicated DCI signaling (Ma: Par. 0149; the beam ID indicates a target beam identified based at least in part on a determination that the UE is likely to intercept the target beam.) and the target BWP indicated by a second information field of the dedicated DCI signaling (Par. 0132; the BWP configuration is carried in DCI comprising a BWP ID field having a maximum number of bits that is greater than two.).
Regarding claim 9, modified Ma shows wherein obtaining the target beam explicitly indicated by the dedicated DCI signaling and the target BWP implicitly indicated by the dedicated DCI signaling comprises: obtaining the target beam explicitly indicated by a third information field of the dedicated DCI signaling, and obtaining the target BWP implicitly indicated by a radio network temporary identifier (RNTI) or a scrambling sequence in the dedicated DCI signaling (Examiner submits that the claimed subject matter presented in this claim refers to the claimed subject matter that was not elected for prosecution in the rejection of dependent claim 5 due to the presence of alternative language. Therefore, this claim is also rejected based on the same reasoning as already presented in the rejection of claim 5.).
Regarding claim 12, modified Ma shows wherein obtaining the target BWP explicitly indicated by the dedicated DCI signaling and the target beam implicitly indicated by the dedicated DCI signaling comprises: obtaining the target BWP explicitly indicated by a third information field of the dedicated DCI signaling, and obtaining the target beam implicitly indicated by an RNTI or a scrambling sequence in the dedicated DCI signaling (Examiner submits that the claimed subject matter presented in this claim refers to the claimed subject matter that was not elected for prosecution in the rejection of dependent claim 5 due to the presence of alternative language. Therefore, this claim is also rejected based on the same reasoning as already presented in the rejection of claim 5.).
Regarding claim 23, Ma shows a beam switching method (Figure 9 shows a method performed in part by a base station of Figures 1 and 3.), performed by a base station and comprising:
indicating at least one of a target beam or a target BWP corresponding to a satellite UE to the satellite UE (Figure 10; Par. 0127, 0130, 0168; transmitting, to a UE, a BWP configuration that indicates one or more BWPs associated with at least one beam (block 1010). The one or more BWPs includes at least a first BWP and a second BWP, wherein the second BWP as a target BWP for switching. UE applied in an NTN embodiment and thus, UE is a satellite UE.).
Ma shows all of the elements as discussed above. Ma does not specifically sending time indication information to the satellite UE, wherein the time indication information is configured to indicate a given service time of a current service beam, and the time indication information allows the satellite UE to obtain at least one of the target beam or the BWP indicated by the base station in a case where a difference between the given service time and a served time of the current service beam of the satellite UE is less than a time threshold.
However, the above-mentioned claim limitations are well-established in the art as evidenced by Liberg. Specifically, Liberg shows sending time indication information to the satellite UE, (Par. 0061-0063; information relevant for resuming a connection to the same beam or cell such as, for example, the time Tservice, may be signaled to the UE when the UE is sent from RRC connected mode to RRC inactive mode.),
wherein the time indication information is configured to indicate a given service time of a current service beam, and the time indication information allows the satellite UE to obtain at least one of the target beam or the BWP indicated by the base station in a case where a difference between the given service time and a served time of the current service beam of the satellite UE is less than a time threshold (Figures 13 and 15; Par. 0177; obtains a remaining service time (Tservice) associated with a first satellite or first spot beam. Based on the remaining service time, the wireless device determines whether to initiate a connection with the first satellite or first spot beam, at step 1204.).
In view of the above, having the system of Ma, then given the well-established teaching of Liberg, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Ma as taught by Liberg, in order to provide motivation to ensure that a connection establishment is performed in a cell that is expected to support the full Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection establishment, and hopefully even the full RRC connection before a handover to a new satellite and/or spotbeam is triggered. (Par. 0026 of Liberg).
Regarding claim 24, modified Ma shows sending configuration information to the satellite UE, wherein the configuration information comprises a candidate beam set and a candidate BWP set; wherein in case that a binding relationship is present between a candidate beam in the candidate beam set and a candidate BWP in the candidate BWP set, the configuration information further comprises the binding relationship between the candidate beam and the candidate BWP (Ma: Par. 0066; the BWP configuration may indicate one or more BWPs associated with at least one beam. For example, as shown, the BWP configuration may indicate a number of BWPs (shown as UL BWP 1, UL BWP 2, DL BWP 1, and DL BWP 2) corresponding to a first beam 515, a number of BWPs (shown as UL BWP 3, UL BWP 4, DL BWP 3, and DL BWP 4) corresponding to a second beam 520, and/or the like.).
Regarding claim 25, modified Ma shows indicating at least one of the target beam or the target BWP to the satellite UE via a DCI signaling (Ma: Par. 0104; the BWP configuration is carried in at least one of an RRC message, DCI, a MAC-CE, an SIB, or a combination thereof.).
Regarding claim 26, modified Ma shows indicating the target beam to the satellite UE via a dedicated DCI signaling;
indicating the target BWP to the satellite UE via a dedicated DCI signaling (Ma: Par. 0158; receiving DCI having a dedicated DCI format corresponding to inter-beam BWP switching.); or
indicating the target beam and the target BWP to the satellite UE via a dedicated DCI signaling.
Regarding claim 27, modified Ma shows wherein indicating the target beam and the target BWP to the satellite UE via the dedicated DCI signaling comprises one of:
explicitly indicating the target beam and the target BWP to the satellite UE via the dedicated DCI signaling (Examiner elects this claim limitation for prosecution. Ma: Par. 0132; the BWP configuration is carried in DCI comprising a BWP ID field having a maximum number of bits that is greater than two.);
explicitly indicating the target beam to the satellite UE via the dedicated DCI signaling, and implicitly indicating the target BWP to the satellite UE via the dedicated DCI signaling; or
explicitly indicating the target BWP to the satellite UE via the dedicated DCI signaling, and implicitly indicating the target beam to the satellite UE via the dedicated DCI signaling.
Regarding claim 28, modified Ma shows indicating the target beam via a first information field of the dedicated DCI signaling (Ma:Par. 0149; the beam ID indicates a target beam identified based at least in part on a determination that the UE is likely to intercept the target beam.), and indicating the target BWP via a second information field of the dedicated DCI signaling (Ma:Par. 0132; the BWP configuration is carried in DCI comprising a BWP ID field having a maximum number of bits that is greater than two.).
Regarding claim 31, modified Ma shows wherein explicitly indicating the target beam to the satellite UE via the dedicated DCI signaling and implicitly indicating the target BWP to the satellite UE via the dedicated DCI signaling comprise: explicitly indicating the target beam via a third information field of the dedicated DCI signaling, and implicitly indicating the target BWP via an RNTI or a scrambling sequence in the dedicated DCI signaling (Examiner submits that the claimed subject matter presented in this claim refers to the claimed subject matter that was not elected for prosecution in the rejection of dependent claim 27 due to the presence of alternative language. Therefore, this claim is also rejected based on the same reasoning as already presented in the rejection of claim 27.).
Regarding claim 34, modified Ma shows wherein explicitly indicating the target BWP to the satellite UE via the dedicated DCI signaling and implicitly indicating the target beam to the satellite UE via the dedicated DCI signaling comprise: explicitly indicating the target BWP via a third information field of the dedicated DCI signaling, and implicitly indicating the target beam via an RNTI or a scrambling sequence in the dedicated DCI signaling (Examiner submits that the claimed subject matter presented in this claim refers to the claimed subject matter that was not elected for prosecution in the rejection of dependent claim 27 due to the presence of alternative language. Therefore, this claim is also rejected based on the same reasoning as already presented in the rejection of claim 27.).
Regarding claim 42, Ma shows a user equipment (Figure 2 shows a UE performing the method of Figure 9.), comprising:
a transceiver (Figure 2; Par. 0046; UE includes a transceiver.);
a memory (Figure 2; UE includes a memory.); and
a processor, wherein the processor is connected to the transceiver and the memory respectively (Figure 2; UE includes a processor connected to the transceiver and memory and configured to perform the disclosed method.), and configured to:
obtain at least one of a target beam or a target bandwidth part (BWP) corresponding to a satellite UE indicated by a base station (Figure 9; Par. 0101-0102, 0127, 0130; receiving a BWP configuration that indicates one or more BWPs associated with at least one beam (block 910). The one or more BWPs includes at least a first BWP and a second BWP, wherein the second BWP as a target BWP for switching.); and
perform a service beam switching based on at least one of the target beam or the target BWP (Figure 9; Par. 0101-0102; switching, based at least in part on the BWP configuration, from the first BWP of the one or more BWPs as an active BWP to the second BWP of the one or more BWPs as the active BWP.).
Ma shows all of the elements as discussed above. Ma does not specifically obtaining time indication information sent by the base station, wherein the time indication information is configured to indicate a given service time of a current service beam; and obtaining at least one of the target beam or the BWP indicated by the base station, in a case where a difference between the given service time and a served time of the current service beam of the satellite UE is less than a time threshold.
However, the above-mentioned claim limitations are well-established in the art as evidenced by Liberg. Specifically, Liberg shows wherein the method further comprises: obtaining time indication information sent by the base station, wherein the time indication information is configured to indicate a given service time of a current service beam (Par. 0061-0063; information relevant for resuming a connection to the same beam or cell such as, for example, the time Tservice, may be signaled to the UE when the UE is sent from RRC connected mode to RRC inactive mode.); and
obtaining at least one of the target beam or the BWP indicated by the base station, in a case where a difference between the given service time and a served time of the current service beam of the satellite UE is less than a time threshold (Figures 13 and 15; Par. 0177; obtains a remaining service time (Tservice) associated with a first satellite or first spot beam. Based on the remaining service time, the wireless device determines whether to initiate a connection with the first satellite or first spot beam, at step 1204.).
In view of the above, having the system of Ma, then given the well-established teaching of Liberg, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Ma as taught by Liberg, in order to provide motivation to ensure that a connection establishment is performed in a cell that is expected to support the full Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection establishment, and hopefully even the full RRC connection before a handover to a new satellite and/or spotbeam is triggered. (Par. 0026 of Liberg).
Regarding claim 43, Ma shows a base station (Figure 2 shows a base station performing the method of Figure 10.), comprising:
a transceiver (Figure 2; Par. 0047; base station includes a transceiver.);
a memory (Figure 2; base station includes a memory.); and
a processor, wherein the processor is connected to the transceiver and the memory respectively, and configured to perform the method according to claim 23 (Figure 2; base station includes a processor connected to the transceiver and memory and configured to perform the disclosed method.).
Regarding claim 44, modified Ma shows a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored therein computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, enable the method according to claim 1 to be implemented (Ma: Par. 0048; UE implemented to include software stored in memory and executed by a processor to perform the disclosed method.).
Regarding claim 45, modified Ma shows a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored therein computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, enable the method according to claim 23 to be implemented (Ma: Par. 0048; base station implemented to include software stored in memory and executed by a processor to perform the disclosed method.).
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
US 20240049092 A1 - CELL RESELECTION USING EXPECTED CELL SERVING TIME
US 20230308168 A1 - UE PROCEDURES FOR CONTROLLING CHANNEL QUALITY MEASUREMENTS IN NON-TERRESTRIAL NETWORKS
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.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to REDENTOR M PASIA whose telephone number is (571)272-9745. The examiner can normally be reached Mondays-Fridays 5am-245pm.
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, Un Cho can be reached at (571)272-7919. 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.
/REDENTOR PASIA/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2413
Prosecution Insights