DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
1. The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Cross Reference to Related Applications
2. This application is a National Phase entry of PCT Application No. PCT/US2022/075281, entitled "CHANNEL STATE INFORMATION (CSI) PRIORITY AND MULTIPLEXING FOR APERIODIC CSI REPORTING" and filed on August 22, 2022, which claims priority of Greek Application No. 20210100612, entitled "CHANNEL STATE INFORMATION (CSI)
PRIORITY AND MULTIPLEXING FOR APERIODIC CSI REPORTING" and filed on September 15, 2021, both of which are expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety.
Priority
3. Acknowledgment is made of applicant’s claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 (a)-(d). Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers submitted under 35 U.S.C. 119(a)-(d), which papers have been placed of record in the file.
Claims status
4. This office action is a response to an application filed on January 18, 2024 in which claims 1-49 are pending for examination.
Drawings
5. The Examiner contends that the drawings submitted on January 18, 2024 are acceptable for examination proceedings.
Information Disclosure Statement
6. The Examiner has considered the reference(s) listed on the Information Disclosure Statement submitted on January 18, 2024.
35 USC § 112 (f) Claim Limitations Analysis
7. The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(f):
(f) Element in Claim for a Combination. – An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
8. The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
CLAIM INTERPRETATION
9. Use of the word “means” (or “step for”) in a claim with functional language creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim element is to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) (pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph). The presumption that § 112(f) (pre-AIA § 112, sixth paragraph) is invoked is rebutted when the function is recited with sufficient structure, material, or acts within the claim itself to entirely perform the recited function.
Absence of the word “means” (or “step for”) in a claim creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim element is not to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) (pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph). The presumption that § 112(f) (pre-AIA § 112, sixth paragraph) is not invoked is rebutted when the claim element recites function but fails to recite sufficiently definite structure, material or acts to perform that function.
Claim elements in this application that use the word “means” (or “step for”) are presumed to invoke § 112(f) except as otherwise indicated in an Office action. Similarly, claim elements that do not use the word “means” (or “step for”) are presumed not to invoke § 112(f) except as otherwise indicated in an Office action.
10. Claims have been analyzed under 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph or 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph.
Regarding claims 40-43, the limitations that recite(s) “means for receiving…”, “means for determining…”, “means for transmitting….”,“means for prioritizing…”, and “means for monitoring…” are being treated in accordance with 112(f) because the functions of “receiving”, “determining”, “transmitting”, “prioritizing”, and “monitoring” are modified by the term “means” which is a word that serves as a generic placeholder for structure that performs the recited functions.
Regarding the above claim limitations, the corresponding structures can be found on Specification- Figs. 3, 11-13, paragraphs [0034]-[0036], [0059]-[0068], [0117], [0148]-[0149], [0157]-[0159], [0161], [0164]-[0167], [0170]-[0178], [0180]-[0188], [0199], [0205], [0210]-[0217] (By way of example, an element, or any portion of an element, or any combination of elements may be implemented as a “processing system” that includes one or more processors. Examples of processors include microprocessors, microcontrollers, graphics processing units (GPUs), central processing units (CPUs), application processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), reduced instruction set computing (RISC) processors, systems on a chip (SoC), baseband processors, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), state machines, gated logic, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable hardware configured to perform the various functionality described throughout this disclosure), algorithms disclosed in Figs. 3, 11-13, that can be used to configure a general-purpose processor to become a special-purpose computer corresponding to the claimed subject matter.
If Applicant wishes to provide further explanation or dispute the Examiner's interpretation of the corresponding structure, Applicant must identify the corresponding structure with reference to the specification by page and line number, and to the drawing, if any, by reference characters in response to this Office Action.
If the Applicant does not intend to have the claimed limitation(s) treated under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, Applicant may amend the claim(s) so that it/they will clearly not invoke 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, present a sufficient showing that the claim recites/recite sufficient structure, material, or acts for performing the claimed function to preclude application of 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph.
For more information, see MPEP § 2173 et seq. and Supplementary Examination Guidelines for Determining Compliance with 35 U.S.C. 112 and for Treatment of Related Issues in Patent Applications, 76 FR 7162, 7167 (Feb. 9, 2011).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
11. 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.
12. Claims 1, 4-9, 12-13, 18, 22-26, 29-34, 37-44 and 47-49 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Zhou et al. (US 2023/0041095 A1; continuation of application no. PCT/US2021/026514, filed on April 9, 2021), hereinafter “Zhou” in view of Bagheri et al. (US 2020/0112419 A1), hereinafter “Bagheri”.
Regarding claim 1, Zhou discloses an apparatus for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE) (Figs. 26-2, 33, CSI-RS configuration and CSI report framework and prioritization of uplink beam/power report for multiple panels), the apparatus comprising:
at least one processor; a transceiver; and a memory, coupled to the at least one processor and the transceiver, storing instructions thereon, which when executed by the at least one processor (Figs. 3, 11-13, example of a wireless device in communication with a base station in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure), cause the apparatus to:
determine that (paragraphs [0263]-[0264], [0343], [0349], [0357], determine an uplink radio resource) the first CSI report associated with the first CSI-RS that is implicitly triggered by the downlink control signal (paragraphs [0263]-[0264], [0343], [0349], [0357], DCI indicating a triggering of aperiodic transmission of CSI report via PUSCH) is scheduled to be transmitted on a same uplink resource (paragraphs [0263]-[0264], [0343], [0349], [0357], one or more CSI reports overlaps in time) as one or more of the second CSI report associated with the second CSI-RS (paragraphs [0263]-[0264], [0343], [0349], [0357], DCI indicating an activation of a semi-persistent transmission of the CSI report via a PUSCH resource) or the third CSI report associated with the downlink data signal (paragraphs [0263]-[0264], [0343], [0349], [0357], based on the first command the configuration parameters of the CSI report); and
transmit, via the transceiver (paragraphs [0342], [0344], [0349], one or more CSI reports in an uplink transmission), a plurality of the first CSI report, the second CSI report or the third CSI report multiplexed (paragraphs [0342], [0344], [0349], determine whether to multiplex the one or more CSI reports in an uplink transmission (e.g., a PUCCH resource or a PUSCH resource), or drop one of the one or more CSI reports based on priority values of the one or more CSI reports and available uplink radio resources) on the same uplink resource (paragraphs [0342], [0344], [0349], one or more CSI reports overlaps in time) based on a report prioritization (paragraphs [0342], [0344], [0349], when configured (or activated) with multiple CSI reports, a wireless device may determine a transmission priority for each of the multiple CSI reports based on a priority value).
While Zhou implicitly refers to “receive, from a base station, via the transceiver, a channel state information (CSI) report configuration that configures the UE to transmit a first CSI report associated with a first CSI reference signal (CSI-RS) that is implicitly triggered by a downlink control signal, a second CSI report associated with a second CSI-RS, or a third CSI report associated with a downlink data signal” (Fig.26, contents of RRC message for CSI report configuration), Bagheri from the same or similar field of endeavor explicitly discloses the apparatus to: receive, from a base station, via the transceiver, a channel state information (CSI) report configuration (Fig.4, paragraphs[0061]-[0063],[0089]-[0091], plurality of CSI report configurations) that configures the UE to transmit a first CSI report associated with a first CSI reference signal (CSI-RS) that is implicitly triggered by a downlink control signal (Fig.4,paragraphs [0061]-[0063],[0089]-[0091], CSI-ReportConfig – higher layer parameter reportCOnfigType), a second CSI report associated with a second CSI-RS (Fig.4,paragraphs [0061]-[0063],[0089]-[0091], CSI-ReportConfig – higher layer parameter reportCOnfigType), or a third CSI report associated with a downlink data signal (Fig.4, paragraphs[0061]-[0063],[0089]-[0091], plurality of CSI report configurations can include a DMRS based CSI measurement).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to provide “receive, from a base station, via the transceiver, a channel state information (CSI) report configuration that configures the UE to transmit a first CSI report associated with a first CSI reference signal (CSI-RS) that is implicitly triggered by a downlink control signal, a second CSI report associated with a second CSI-RS, or a third CSI report associated with a downlink data signal” as taught by Bagheri, in the system of Zhou, so that it would provide measurement and reporting of reliability for Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communication operation using downlink channels directed to generating a Channel State Information report (Bagheri, paragraph [0014]).
Regarding claim 4, Zhou discloses the instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to receive, via the transceiver, a radio resource control (RRC) configuration that configures one or more of uplink resources, the first CSI-RS, a first time measurement between the second CSI-RS and the downlink control signal, a second time measurement between the second CSI-RS and a transmission of at least one of the plurality of the first CSI report, the second CSI report or the third CSI report, or a third time measurement between the downlink control signal and the transmission of the at least one of the plurality of the first CSI report, the second CSI report or the third CSI report (Fig.26, paragraphs [0158], [0262]-[0263], contents of RRC message for CSI report configuration as shown in the figure as the configuration parameters).
Regarding claim 5, Zhou in view of Bagheri disclose the apparatus according to claim 1.
Bagheri further discloses the instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to receive, via the transceiver, a downlink grant scheduling the downlink data signal, wherein the downlink data signal comprises a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) (Fig.4, paragraphs [0061]-[0063], DCI format scheduling received PDSCH).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to provide “the instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to receive, via the transceiver, a downlink grant scheduling the downlink data signal, wherein the downlink data signal comprises a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH)” as taught by Bagheri, in the system of Zhou, so that it would provide measurement and reporting of reliability for Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communication operation using downlink channels directed to generating a Channel State Information report (Bagheri, paragraph [0014]).
Regarding claim 6, Zhou in view of Bagheri disclose the apparatus according to claim 5.
Bagheri further discloses to receive the downlink grant comprises to receive the downlink control signal, wherein the downlink control signal comprises a downlink control information (DCI) message (Fig.4, paragraphs [0061]-[0063], PDCCH containing DCI format).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to provide “to receive the downlink grant comprises to receive the downlink control signal, wherein the downlink control signal comprises a downlink control information (DCI) message” as taught by Bagheri, in the system of Zhou, so that it would provide measurement and reporting of reliability for Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communication operation using downlink channels directed to generating a Channel State Information report (Bagheri, paragraph [0014]).
Regarding claim 7, Zhou discloses the CSI report configuration indicates that the UE is configured to transmit both the first CSI report based on the first CSI-RS implicitly triggered by the downlink control signal and the second CSI report based on the second CSI-RS on the same uplink resource (Fig.33, paragraphs [0343], [0349], [0357], DCI indicating a triggering aperiodic transmission of CSI report via PUSCH resource).
Regarding claim 8, Zhou discloses the instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to prioritize between the first CSI report associated with the first CSI-RS and the second CSI report associated with the second CSI-RS based on corresponding report configuration identifiers (paragraphs [0342], [0344], [0349], multiple CSI reports based on priority value).
Regarding claim 9, Zhou discloses the instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to monitor for a particular CSI report trigger event to occur by determining whether the CSI report configuration indicates that a first report configuration identifier associated with the first CSI-RS implicitly triggered by the downlink control signal and a second report configuration identifier associated with the second CSI-RS are scheduled to use same uplink resources, wherein the second CSI-RS corresponds to one of an aperiodic CSI-RS, a periodic CSI- RS or a semi-persistent CSI-RS (Fig.33, paragraphs [0343], [0349], [0357], two CSI reports are said to collide if a time occupancy of the physical channels scheduled to carry the two CSI reports overlap in at least one OFDM symbol and the physical channels are transmitted on a same carrier).
Regarding claim 12, Zhou discloses the CSI report configuration indicates that the UE is to transmit, when the particular CSI report trigger event occurs, a CSI report for each of a plurality of report configuration identifiers (paragraphs [0263]-[0264], [0343], [0349], [0357], plurality of report configuration indicators) based on the UE configured to support sending the plurality of the first CSI report, the second CSI report or the third CSI report associated with respective ones of the plurality of report configuration identifiers within a same time interval (paragraphs [0263]-[0264], [0343], [0349], [0357], one or more CSI reports overlaps in time).
Regarding claim 13, Zhou discloses the CSI report configuration indicates that the UE is to transmit a separate report for each of the plurality of report configuration identifiers (paragraphs [0263]-[0264], [0343], [0349], [0357], plurality of report configuration indicators).
Regarding claim 18, Zhou discloses the CSI report configuration configures the UE to merge the plurality of the first CSI report, the second CSI report or the third CSI report together into a merged CSI report by using measurements based on a channel resource indication as if the merged CSI report is associated with a single resource having a plurality of CSI-RS resources, wherein the CSI report configuration indicates that the UE is to transmit the merged CSI report indicating a corresponding report configuration identifier and corresponding CSI measurements (paragraphs [0342], [0344], [0349], when configured (or activated) with multiple CSI reports, a wireless device may determine a transmission priority for each of the multiple CSI reports based on a priority value).
Regarding claim 22, Zhou discloses the instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to transmit, via the transceiver, hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback and at least one of the plurality of the first CSI report, the second CSI report or the third CSI report on the same uplink resource, wherein the HARQ feedback is transmitted in a first-stage uplink control information (UCI) and the at least one of the plurality of the first CSI report, the second CSI report or the third CSI report is transmitted in a second-stage UCI (paragraphs [0208], [0329], [0365]-[0366], UCI (e.g., HARQ acknowledgements (HARQ-ACK), CSI report, SR, and the like) via a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) or a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH)).
Regarding claim 23, Zhou discloses the first-stage UCI indicates a report configuration identifier that corresponds to measurements associated with a merged CSI report (paragraph [0357], based on the first command the configuration parameters of the CSI report, determine an uplink radio resource (e.g., a PUCCH resource or a PUSCH resource)).
Regarding claim 24, Zhou discloses the CSI report configuration configures the UE to order report configuration identifiers based on timing of corresponding CSI-RS resources within a resource set and to indicate a new index corresponding to an ordered report configuration ID (Fig.26, paragraph [0263], configuration parameters of a CSI report may comprise at least one of: a report configuration ID, a serving cell index, a report configuration type indicator, a report quantity indicator, and/or one or more report frequency configuration parameters; the configuration parameters may further comprise: an indication of a time restriction for channel and/or interference measurement, a codebook configuration, a group-based beam reporting indication, a CQI table and one or more CSI-RS resource configuration index).
Regarding claim 25, Zhou in view of Bagheri disclose the apparatus according to claim 1.
Bagheri further discloses the CSI report configuration indicates that the UE is to report each of the first CSI report based on the first CSI-RS implicitly triggered by the downlink control signal, the second CSI report based on the second CSI- RS and the third CSI report based on the downlink data signal (paragraphs [0054], [0060], [0090]-[0091], CSI reporting configurations and CSI-RS resource configurations).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to provide “the CSI report configuration indicates that the UE is to report each of the first CSI report based on the first CSI-RS implicitly triggered by the downlink control signal, the second CSI report based on the second CSI- RS and the third CSI report based on the downlink data signal” as taught by Bagheri, in the system of Zhou, so that it would provide measurement and reporting of reliability for Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communication operation using downlink channels directed to generating a Channel State Information report (Bagheri, paragraph [0014]).
Regarding claim 26, Zhou discloses the CSI report configuration indicates that the third CSI report associated with the downlink data signal has a periodicity and is scheduled to at least partially overlap with an activation of the first CSI report measured based on the first CSI-RS implicitly triggered by the downlink control signal, wherein the first CSI report and the third CSI report are multiplexed and transmitted on a same physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resource (paragraphs [0342], [0344], [0349], determine whether to multiplex the one or more CSI reports in an uplink transmission (e.g., a PUCCH resource or a PUSCH resource), or drop one of the one or more CSI reports based on priority values of the one or more CSI reports and available uplink radio resources).
Regarding claim 29, Zhou discloses the CSI report configuration configures the UE to transmit the second CSI report associated with the second CSI-RS with a length of Y bits, wherein the CSI report configuration configures the UE to transmit the third CSI report associated with the downlink data signal with a length of X bits (paragraphs [0344], [0346]-[0347], CSI reports bits based on: total bits of HARQ-ACK, SR, Part 1 CSI reports and CRC bit, and available PUCCH resources; according to respective priority value(s), for transmission together with the HARQ-ACK, SR and NCSI total Part 1 CSI reports based on Part 2 CSI bits and Part 1 CSI bits).
Regarding claim 30, Zhou discloses the CSI report configuration configures the UE to transmit the third CSI report associated with the downlink data signal along with different CSI content measured based on the first CSI-RS or the second CSI- RS with a length of X + Y', where Y'< Y bits (paragraphs [0344], [0346]-[0347], CSI reports bits based on: total bits of HARQ-ACK, SR, Part 1 CSI reports and CRC bit, and available PUCCH resources; according to respective priority value(s), for transmission together with the HARQ-ACK, SR and NCSI total Part 1 CSI reports based on Part 2 CSI bits and Part 1 CSI bits).
Regarding claim 31, Zhou discloses the CSI report configuration configures the UE to merge the second CSI report associated with the second CSI-RS and the third CSI report associated with the downlink data signal into a merged CSI report with a total length of X + Y bits (paragraphs [0344], [0346]-[0347], CSI report quantities of the two CSI reports, and/or available uplink radio (e.g., PUCCH/PUSCH) resources).
Regarding claim 32, Zhou discloses the CSI report configuration configures the UE to select one of the plurality of the first CSI report, the second CSI report or the third CSI report when the plurality of the first CSI report, the second CSI report or the third CSI report have similar CSI content and to generate a final CSI report with a corresponding payload of a selected CSI report (paragraphs [0344], [0346]-[0347], CSI report quantities of the two CSI reports, and/or available uplink radio (e.g., PUCCH/PUSCH) resources).
Regarding claim 33, Zhou discloses the instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to transmit, via the transceiver, hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback and at least one of the plurality of the first CSI report, the second CSI report or the third CSI report on the same uplink resource, wherein the HARQ feedback is transmitted in a first-stage uplink control information (UCI) and the at least one of the plurality of the first CSI report, the second CSI report or the third CSI report is transmitted in a second-stage UCI, wherein the CSI report configuration configures the UE to indicate a type of CSI report as part of the HARQ feedback in the first-stage UCI (paragraphs [0344], [0346]-[0347], if a wireless device determines a PUCCH resource with PUCCH format 3 or PUCCH format 4 for transmission of HARQ-ACK, SR and sub-band CSI reports, the wireless device may select the first NCSI-port2 reported Part 2 CSI reports, according to respective priority value(s), for transmission together with the HARQ-ACK, SR and NCSI total Part 1 CSI reports based on Part 2 CSI bits and Part 1 CSI bits. The wireless device may drop all Part 2 CSI reports and selects NCSI-part1 reported Part 1 CSI report(s), from the NCSI total CSI reports in ascending priority value, for transmission together with the HARQ-ACK and SR information bits based on Part 2 CSI bits and Part 1 CSI bits).
Regarding claim 34, the claim is rejected based on the same reasoning as presented in the rejection of claim 1.
Regarding claim 37, the claim is rejected based on the same reasoning as presented in the rejection of claim 4.
Regarding claim 38, the claim is rejected based on the same reasoning as presented in the rejection of claim 5.
Regarding claim 39, the claim is rejected based on the same reasoning as presented in the rejection of claim 6.
Regarding claim 40, the claim is rejected based on the same reasoning as presented in the rejection of claim 1.
Regarding claim 41, the claim is rejected based on the same reasoning as presented in the rejection of claim 7.
Regarding claim 42, the claim is rejected based on the same reasoning as presented in the rejection of claim 8.
Regarding claim 43, the claim is rejected based on the same reasoning as presented in the rejection of claim 9.
Regarding claim 44, the claim is rejected based on the same reasoning as presented in the rejection of claim 1.
Regarding claim 47, the claim is rejected based on the same reasoning as presented in the rejection of claim 4.
Regarding claim 48, the claim is rejected based on the same reasoning as presented in the rejection of claim 5.
Regarding claim 49, the claim is rejected based on the same reasoning as presented in the rejection of claim 6.
13. Claims 2-3, 27, 35-36 and 45-46 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Zhou et al. (US 2023/0041095 A1; continuation of application no. PCT/US2021/026514, filed on April 9, 2021), hereinafter “Zhou” in view of Bagheri et al. (US 2020/0112419 A1), hereinafter “Bagheri” in view of LI et al. (US 2024/0179585 A1), hereinafter “Li”.
Regarding claim 2, Zhou in view of Bagheri disclose the apparatus according to claim 1.
Neither Zhou nor Bagheri explicitly discloses “the instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to receive, via the transceiver, a medium access control (MAC) control element (MAC-CE) comprising a command that activates a measurement window having a predetermined length that corresponds to when the UE expects to receive the first CSI-RS after receiving the downlink control signal, wherein the predetermined length of the measurement window is configured via a radio resource control (RRC) configuration or the MAC-CE”.
However, Li from the same or similar field of endeavor discloses the instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to receive, via the transceiver, a medium access control (MAC) control element (MAC-CE) comprising a command that activates a measurement window having a predetermined length (paragraphs [0148]-[0149], [0162], [0164], [0166], MAC-CE includes report setting group ID and activation/deactivation flag bit) that corresponds to when the UE expects to receive the first CSI-RS after receiving the downlink control signal (paragraphs [0148]-[0149], [0162], [0164], [0166], aperiodic measurement reporting for the report setting through another signaling, such as downlink control information (Downlink Control Information, DCI)), wherein the predetermined length of the measurement window is configured via a radio resource control (RRC) configuration or the MAC-CE (paragraphs [0148]-[0149], [0162], [0164], [0166], time window configured by the base station, and the base station configures the length of the time window and offset value (offset) of the measurement window relative to the starting time).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to provide “the instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to receive, via the transceiver, a medium access control (MAC) control element (MAC-CE) comprising a command that activates a measurement window having a predetermined length that corresponds to when the UE expects to receive the first CSI-RS after receiving the downlink control signal, wherein the predetermined length of the measurement window is configured via a radio resource control (RRC) configuration or the MAC-CE” as taught by Li, in the combined system of Zhou and Bagheri, so that it would provide inter-cell measurement reporting, which improve the flexibility of measurement reporting configuration relates to the field of mobile communication technology (Li, paragraph [0016]).
Regarding claim 3, Zhou in view of Bagheri and Li disclose the apparatus according to claim 1.
Li further discloses the measurement window having the predetermined length is activated via a first MAC-CE and deactivated via a second MAC-CE (paragraphs [0162], [0164], Examples 1-4, the base station activates and deactivates the reference signal measurement by transmitting two MAC-CEs; for example, when the flag bit in the MAC-CE is set to 1, it indicates the reference signal measurement is activated; when the flag bit in the MAC-CE is set to 0, it indicates that the reference signal measurement is deactivated).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to provide “the measurement window having the predetermined length is activated via a first MAC-CE and deactivated via a second MAC-CE” as taught by Li, in the combined system of Zhou and Bagheri, so that it would provide inter-cell measurement reporting, which improve the flexibility of measurement reporting configuration relates to the field of mobile communication technology (Li, paragraph [0016]).
Regarding claim 27, Zhou in view of Bagheri disclose the apparatus according to claim 1.
Neither Zhou nor Bagheri explicitly discloses “the CSI report configuration indicates that the third CSI report associated with the downlink data signal has a periodicity and is scheduled to at least partially overlap with an activation of the first CSI report measured based on the first CSI-RS implicitly triggered by the downlink control signal, wherein the first CSI report and the third CSI report are multiplexed and transmitted on a same physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resource”.
However, Li from the same or similar field of endeavor discloses the CSI report configuration indicates that the third CSI report associated with the downlink data signal has a periodicity and is scheduled to at least partially overlap with an activation of the first CSI report measured based on the first CSI-RS implicitly triggered by the downlink control signal, wherein the first CSI report and the third CSI report are multiplexed and transmitted on a same physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resource (paragraphs [0148]-[0149], [0162], [0164], [0166], MAC-CE includes report setting group ID and activation/deactivation flag bit; aperiodic measurement reporting for the report setting through another signaling, such as downlink control information (Downlink Control Information, DCI); time window configured by the base station, and the base station configures the length of the time window and offset value (offset) of the measurement window relative to the starting time).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to provide “the CSI report configuration indicates that the third CSI report associated with the downlink data signal has a periodicity and is scheduled to at least partially overlap with an activation of the first CSI report measured based on the first CSI-RS implicitly triggered by the downlink control signal, wherein the first CSI report and the third CSI report are multiplexed and transmitted on a same physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resource” as taught by Li, in the combined system of Zhou and Bagheri, so that it would provide inter-cell measurement reporting, which improve the flexibility of measurement reporting configuration relates to the field of mobile communication technology (Li, paragraph [0016]).
Regarding claim 35, the claim is rejected based on the same reasoning as presented in the rejection of claim 2.
Regarding claim 36, the claim is rejected based on the same reasoning as presented in the rejection of claim 3.
Regarding claim 45, the claim is rejected based on the same reasoning as presented in the rejection of claim 2.
Regarding claim 46, the claim is rejected based on the same reasoning as presented in the rejection of claim 3.
14. Claims 10, 11, 16 and 17 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Zhou et al. (US 2023/0041095 A1; continuation of application no. PCT/US2021/026514, filed on April 9, 2021), hereinafter “Zhou” in view of Bagheri et al. (US 2020/0112419 A1), hereinafter “Bagheri” in view of MANOLAKO et al. (US 2021/0091910 A1), hereinafter “Manolako”.
Regarding claim 10, Zhou in view of Bagheri disclose the apparatus according to claim 9.
Neither Zhou nor Bagheri explicitly discloses “the CSI report configuration indicates that the UE is to transmit, when the particular CSI report trigger event occurs, a CSI report based on a report configuration identifier corresponding to one of the first CSI-RS or the second CSI-RS that is received last in time at the UE”.
However, Manolako from the same or similar field of endeavor discloses the CSI report configuration indicates that the UE is to transmit, when the particular CSI report trigger event occurs, a CSI report based on a report configuration identifier corresponding to one of the first CSI-RS or the second CSI-RS that is received last in time at the UE (Figs. 4A-4D, paragraphs [0040], [0046], [0047], CSI reporting prioritization; prioritize transmitting the second CSI report based at least in part on the second CSI RSs for the second CSI report occurring after the first CSI RSs for the first CSI report).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to provide “the CSI report configuration indicates that the UE is to transmit, when the particular CSI report trigger event occurs, a CSI report based on a report configuration identifier corresponding to one of the first CSI-RS or the second CSI-RS that is received last in time at the UE” as taught by Manolako, in the combined system of Zhou and Bagheri, so that it would provide improvements applicable to multiple access technologies and the telecommunication standards that employ channel state information reporting prioritization (Manolako, paragraph [0004]).
Regarding claim 11, Zhou in view of Bagheri and Manolako disclose the apparatus according to claim 10.
Manolako further discloses the instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to measure channel state information based on the second CSI-RS, wherein the second CSI-RS is received subsequent to the first CSI-RS (Figs. 4A-4D, paragraphs [0040], [0046], [0047], CSI reporting prioritization).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to provide “the instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to measure channel state information based on the second CSI-RS, wherein the second CSI-RS is received subsequent to the first CSI-RS” as taught by Manolako, in the combined system of Zhou and Bagheri, so that it would provide improvements applicable to multiple access technologies and the telecommunication standards that employ channel state information reporting prioritization (Manolako, paragraph [0004]).
Regarding claim 16, Zhou in view of Bagheri disclose the apparatus according to claim 12.
Neither Zhou nor Bagheri explicitly discloses “the CSI report configuration configures the UE to prioritize between the first CSI report and the second CSI report based on which of the first CSI-RS and the second CSI-RS is received at the UE first in time”.
However, Manolako from the same or similar field of endeavor discloses the CSI report configuration configures the UE to prioritize between the first CSI report and the second CSI report based on which of the first CSI-RS and the second CSI-RS is received at the UE first in time (Figs. 4A-4D, paragraphs [0040], [0046], [0047], CSI reporting prioritization; prioritize transmitting the second CSI report based at least in part on the second CSI RSs for the second CSI report occurring after the first CSI RSs for the first CSI report).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to provide “the CSI report configuration configures the UE to prioritize between the first CSI report and the second CSI report based on which of the first CSI-RS and the second CSI-RS is received at the UE first in time” as taught by Manolako, in the combined system of Zhou and Bagheri, so that it would provide improvements applicable to multiple access technologies and the telecommunication standards that employ channel state information reporting prioritization (Manolako, paragraph [0004]).
Regarding claim 17, Zhou in view of Bagheri disclose the apparatus according to claim 12.
Neither Zhou nor Bagheri explicitly discloses “the CSI report configuration configures the UE to prioritize between the first CSI report and the second CSI report based on which of the first CSI-RS and the second CSI-RS is received at the UE last in time”.
However, Manolako from the same or similar field of endeavor discloses the CSI report configuration configures the UE to prioritize between the first CSI report and the second CSI report based on which of the first CSI-RS and the second CSI-RS is received at the UE last in time (Figs. 4A-4D, paragraphs [0040], [0046], [0047], CSI reporting prioritization; prioritize transmitting the second CSI report based at least in part on the second CSI RSs for the second CSI report occurring after the first CSI RSs for the first CSI report).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to provide “the CSI report configuration configures the UE to prioritize between the first CSI report and the second CSI report based on which of the first CSI-RS and the second CSI-RS is received at the UE last in time” as taught by Manolako, in the combined system of Zhou and Bagheri, so that it would provide improvements applicable to multiple access technologies and the telecommunication standards that employ channel state information reporting prioritization (Manolako, paragraph [0004]).
15. Claims 14-15 and 19-21 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Zhou et al. (US 2023/0041095 A1; continuation of application no. PCT/US2021/026514, filed on April 9, 2021), hereinafter “Zhou” in view of Bagheri et al. (US 2020/0112419 A1), hereinafter “Bagheri” in view of YING et al. (US 2023/0189278 A1), hereinafter “Ying”.
Regarding claim 14, Zhou in view of Bagheri disclose the apparatus according to claim 12.
Neither Zhou nor Bagheri explicitly discloses “the CSI report configuration configures the UE to transmit the first CSI report associated with the first CSI-RS implicitly triggered by the downlink control signal prior to the second CSI report associated with the second CSI-RS based on the first CSI report having a higher priority than the second CSI report”.
However, Ying from the same or similar field of endeavor discloses the CSI report configuration configures the UE to transmit the first CSI report associated with the first CSI-RS implicitly triggered by the downlink control signal (paragraphs [0150], [0187]-[0189], [0202]-[0205], decoding of DCI formats) prior to the second CSI report associated with the second CSI-RS based on the first CSI report having a higher priority than the second CSI report (paragraphs [0150], [0187]-[0189], [0202]-[0205], combination(s) of the priority handling between A-CSI and SP-CSI and the priority handling between SP-CSI and UL-SCH).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to provide “the CSI report configuration configures the UE to transmit the first CSI report associated with the first CSI-RS implicitly triggered by the downlink control signal prior to the second CSI report associated with the second CSI-RS based on the first CSI report having a higher priority than the second CSI report” as taught by Ying, in the combined system of Zhou and Bagheri, so that it would provide expanded areas of coverage and increased functionality in order to meet consumer needs and to improve portability and convenience beneficial for improve communication flexibility and/or efficiency (Ying, paragraph [0002]).
Regarding claim 15, Zhou in view of Bagheri disclose the apparatus according to claim 12.
Neither Zhou nor Bagheri explicitly discloses “the CSI report configuration configures the UE to transmit the second CSI report associated with the second CSI-RS prior to the first CSI report associated with the first CSI-RS implicitly triggered by the downlink control signal based on the second CSI report having a higher priority than the first CSI report”.
However, Ying from the same or similar field of endeavor discloses the CSI report configuration configures the UE to transmit the second CSI report associated with the second CSI-RS prior to the first CSI report associated with the first CSI-RS implicitly triggered by the downlink control signal based on the second CSI report having a higher priority than the first CSI report (paragraphs [0150], [0187]-[0189], [0202]-[0205], combination(s) of the priority handling between A-CSI and SP-CSI and the priority handling between SP-CSI and UL-SCH).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to provide “the CSI report configuration configures the UE to transmit the second CSI report associated with the second CSI-RS prior to the first CSI report associated with the first CSI-RS implicitly triggered by the downlink control signal based on the second CSI report having a higher priority than the first CSI report” as taught by Ying, in the combined system of Zhou and Bagheri, so that it would provide expanded areas of coverage and increased functionality in order to meet consumer needs and to improve portability and convenience beneficial for improve communication flexibility and/or efficiency (Ying, paragraph [0002]).
Regarding claim 19, Zhou in view of Bagheri disclose the apparatus according to claim 9.
Neither Zhou nor Bagheri explicitly discloses “the CSI report configuration indicates that the UE is to transmit, when the particular CSI report trigger event occurs, one of the first CSI or the second CSI report based on a report configuration identifier that corresponds to one of the first CSI-RS or the second CSI-RS that is received at the UE first in time”.
However, Ying from the same or similar field of endeavor discloses the CSI report configuration indicates that the UE is to transmit, when the particular CSI report trigger event occurs, one of the first CSI or the second CSI report based on a report configuration identifier that corresponds to one of the first CSI-RS or the second CSI-RS that is received at the UE first in time (paragraphs [0150], [0187], gNB 160 may configure the information (i.e., the information for identifying the priority of the CSI reporting) which is set to “0” for a first configuration of the CSI reporting (e.g., a CSI configuration-1, a corresponding configuration of the CSI reporting); gNB 160 may configure the information (i.e., the information for identifying the priority of the CSI reporting) which is set to “1” for a second configuration of the CSI reporting (e.g., a CSI configuration-2, a corresponding configuration of the CSI reporting)).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to provide “the CSI report configuration indicates that the UE is to transmit, when the particular CSI report trigger event occurs, one of the first CSI or the second CSI report based on a report configuration identifier that corresponds to one of the first CSI-RS or the second CSI-RS that is received at the UE first in time” as taught by Ying, in the combined system of Zhou and Bagheri, so that it would provide expanded areas of coverage and increased functionality in order to meet consumer needs and to improve portability and convenience beneficial for improve communication flexibility and/or efficiency (Ying, paragraph [0002]).
Regarding claim 20, Zhou in view of Bagheri disclose the apparatus according to claim 9.
Neither Zhou nor Bagheri explicitly discloses “the CSI report configuration indicates that the UE is to drop, when the particular CSI report trigger event occurs, the first CSI report associated with the first CSI-RS relative to the second CSI report associated with the second CSI-RS, wherein the CSI report configuration configures the UE to prioritize the second CSI-RS over the first CSI-RS implicitly triggered by the downlink control signal”.
However, Ying from the same or similar field of endeavor discloses the CSI report configuration indicates that the UE is to drop, when the particular CSI report trigger event occurs, the first CSI report associated with the first CSI-RS relative to the second CSI report associated with the second CSI-RS, wherein the CSI report configuration configures the UE to prioritize the second CSI-RS over the first CSI-RS implicitly triggered by the downlink control signal (paragraphs [0150], [0187]-[0189], [0202]-[0205], combination(s) of the priority handling between A-CSI and SP-CSI and the priority handling between SP-CSI and UL-SCH).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to provide “the CSI report configuration configures the UE to transmit the first CSI report associated with the first CSI-RS implicitly triggered by the downlink control signal prior to the second CSI report associated with the second CSI-RS based on the first CSI report having a higher priority than the second CSI report” as taught by Ying, in the combined system of Zhou and Bagheri, so that it would provide expanded areas of coverage and increased functionality in order to meet consumer needs and to improve portability and convenience beneficial for improve communication flexibility and/or efficiency (Ying, paragraph [0002]).
Regarding claim 21, Zhou in view of Bagheri disclose the apparatus according to claim 9.
Neither Zhou nor Bagheri explicitly discloses “the CSI report configuration indicates that the UE is to drop, when the particular CSI report trigger event occurs, the second CSI report associated with the second CSI-RS relative to the first CSI report associated with the first CSI-RS, wherein the CSI report configuration configures the UE to prioritize the first CSI-RS implicitly triggered by the downlink control signal over the second CSI-RS”.
However, Ying from the same or similar field of endeavor discloses the CSI report configuration indicates that the UE is to drop, when the particular CSI report trigger event occurs, the second CSI report associated with the second CSI-RS relative to the first CSI report associated with the first CSI-RS, wherein the CSI report configuration configures the UE to prioritize the first CSI-RS implicitly triggered by the downlink control signal over the second CSI-RS (paragraphs [0150], [0187]-[0189], [0202]-[0205], combination(s) of the priority handling between A-CSI and SP-CSI and the priority handling between SP-CSI and UL-SCH).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to provide “the CSI report configuration indicates that the UE is to drop, when the particular CSI report trigger event occurs, the second CSI report associated with the second CSI-RS relative to the first CSI report associated with the first CSI-RS, wherein the CSI report configuration configures the UE to prioritize the first CSI-RS implicitly triggered by the downlink control signal over the second CSI-RS” as taught by Ying, in the combined system of Zhou and Bagheri, so that it would provide expanded areas of coverage and increased functionality in order to meet consumer needs and to improve portability and convenience beneficial for improve communication flexibility and/or efficiency (Ying, paragraph [0002]).
16. Claim 28 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Zhou et al. (US 2023/0041095 A1; continuation of application no. PCT/US2021/026514, filed on April 9, 2021), hereinafter “Zhou” in view of Bagheri et al. (US 2020/0112419 A1), hereinafter “Bagheri” in view of Alfarhan et al. (US 2023/0097142 A1), hereinafter “Alfarhan”.
Regarding claim 28, Zhou in view of Bagheri disclose the apparatus according to claim 1.
Neither Zhou nor Bagheri explicitly discloses “the instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to: obtain one or more measurements of received downlink signals at the UE; and determine one or more of a block error rate (BLER) or a bit error rate (BER) from the one or more measurements, wherein the CSI report configuration configures the UE to transmit at least one of the plurality of the first CSI report, the second CSI report or the third CSI report based on one or more of an amount of interference indicated by the one or more measurements, the BLER or the BER”.
However, Alfarhan from the same or similar field of endeavor discloses the instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to: obtain one or more measurements of received downlink signals at the UE; and determine one or more of a block error rate (BLER) or a bit error rate (BER) from the one or more measurements, wherein the CSI report configuration configures the UE to transmit at least one of the plurality of the first CSI report, the second CSI report or the third CSI report based on one or more of an amount of interference indicated by the one or more measurements, the BLER or the BER (paragraphs [0188]-[0189], [0216], BLER level for the reporting resource, based on the configured MCS (e.g., semi-statically configured MCS) for the CG and/or link-level mappings corresponding to the configured MCS).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to provide “the instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to: obtain one or more measurements of received downlink signals at the UE; and determine one or more of a block error rate (BLER) or a bit error rate (BER) from the one or more measurements, wherein the CSI report configuration configures the UE to transmit at least one of the plurality of the first CSI report, the second CSI report or the third CSI report based on one or more of an amount of interference indicated by the one or more measurements, the BLER or the BER” as taught by Alfarhan, in the combined system of Zhou and Bagheri, so that it would provide channel state information reporting (e.g., reliably) based on one or more measurements on the determined measurement time/frequency resources and reporting CSI (Alfarhan, paragraph [0004]).
Conclusion
17. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to SITHU KO whose telephone number is 571-272-8647. The examiner can normally be reached on Mon-Friday 8:30am-5:00pmEST.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Edan Orgad can be reached on 571-272-7884. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/SITHU KO/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2414