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 .
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 12/19/25 has been entered.
Double Patenting
The non-statutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A non-statutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on non-statutory double patenting provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with the examined application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. See MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP § 2146 et seq. for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b).
The filing of a terminal disclaimer by itself is not a complete reply to a non-statutory double patenting (NSDP) rejection. A complete reply requires that the terminal disclaimer be accompanied by a reply requesting reconsideration of the prior Office action. Even where the NSDP rejection is provisional the reply must be complete. See MPEP § 804, subsection I.B.1. For a reply to a non-final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.111(a). For a reply to final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.113(c). A request for reconsideration while not provided for in 37 CFR 1.113(c) may be filed after final for consideration. See MPEP §§ 706.07(e) and 714.13.
The USPTO Internet website contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms. The actual filing date of the application in which the form is filed determines what form (e.g., PTO/SB/25, PTO/SB/26, PTO/AIA /25, or PTO/AIA /26) should be used. A web-based eTerminal Disclaimer may be filled out completely online using web-screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets all requirements is auto-processed and approved immediately upon submission. For more information about eTerminal Disclaimers, refer to www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/applying-online/eterminal-disclaimer.
Instant Application
Patent No 11943787
Patent No. 11553468
1. (Original) A method comprising: receiving, by a wireless device, radio resource control (RRC) messaging associated with downlink transmission; receiving, via a physical downlink channel, a signal that starts, at a time in a time duration, based on: a listen-before-talk (LBT) procedure; a starting symbol indicated in the RRC messaging; and a non-zero offset symbol value indicated in the RRC messaging.
1. A method comprising: receiving, by a wireless device, and via radio resource control (RRC) messaging: a first field indicating a starting symbol for a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH); and a second field indicating a non-zero offset symbol value for downlink transmission; and performing PDCCH monitoring starting, in a time duration, based on: a listen-before-talk (LBT) procedure; the starting symbol indicated in the RRC messaging; and the non-zero offset symbol value indicated in the RRC messaging.
1. A method comprising: receiving, by a wireless device, and via radio resource control (RRC) messaging: a first field indicating a starting symbol for a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH); and a second field indicating a non-zero offset symbol value for downlink transmission; and receiving a signal during a time duration via the PDCCH, wherein the PDCCH starts, at a time in the time duration, based on: a listen-before-talk (LBT) procedure; the starting symbol indicated in the RRC messaging; and the non-zero offset symbol value indicated in the RRC messaging.
8. (Original) A wireless device comprising: one or more processors; and memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the wireless device to: receive radio resource control (RRC) messaging associated with downlink transmission; receive, via a physical downlink channel, a signal that starts, at a time in a time duration, based on: a listen-before-talk (LBT) procedure; a starting symbol indicated in the RRC messaging; and a non-zero offset symbol value indicated in the RRC messaging.
16. A wireless device comprising: one or more processors; and memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the wireless device to: receive, via radio resource control (RRC) messaging: a first field indicating a starting symbol for a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH); and a second field indicating a non-zero offset symbol value for downlink transmission; and perform PDCCH monitoring starting, in a time duration, based on: a listen-before-talk (LBT) procedure; the starting symbol indicated in the RRC messaging; and the non-zero offset symbol value indicated in the RRC messaging.
40. A wireless device comprising: one or more processors; and memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the wireless device to: receive via radio resource control (RRC) messaging: a first field indicating a starting symbol for a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH); and a second field indicating a non-zero offset symbol value for downlink transmission; and receive a signal during a time duration via the PDCCH, wherein the PDCCH starts, at a time in the time duration based on: a listen-before-talk (LBT) procedure; the starting symbol indicated in the RRC messaging; and the non-zero offset symbol value indicated in the RRC messaging.
15. (Original) A system comprising: a base station; and a wireless device; wherein the base station is configured to transmit radio resource control (RRC) messaging associated with downlink transmission; and wherein the wireless device is configured to receive, via a physical downlink channel, a signal that starts, at a time in a time duration, based on: a listen-before-talk (LBT) procedure; a starting symbol indicated in the RRC messaging; and a non-zero offset symbol value indicated in the RRC messaging.
31. A system comprising: a base station; and a wireless device; wherein the base station is configured to transmit via radio resource control (RRC) messaging: a first field indicating a starting symbol for a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH); and a second field indicating a non-zero offset symbol value for downlink transmission; and wherein the wireless device is configured to perform PDCCH monitoring starting, in a time duration, based on: a listen-before-talk (LBT) procedure; the starting symbol indicated in the RRC messaging; and the non-zero offset symbol value indicated in the RRC messaging.
79. A system comprising: a base station; and a wireless device; wherein the base station is configured to transmit via radio resource control (RRC) messaging: a first field indicating a starting symbol for a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH); and a second field indicating a non-zero offset symbol value for downlink transmission; and wherein the wireless device is configured to receive a signal during a time duration via the PDCCH, wherein the PDCCH starts, at a time in the time duration, based on: a listen-before-talk (LBT) procedure; the starting symbol indicated in the RRC messaging; and the non-zero offset symbol value indicated in the RRC messaging.
Claims 1-21 are rejected on the ground of non-statutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-60, 1-100 of U.S. Patent No. 11,943,787, and 11,553,468, Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the claims are directed toward a wireless device receiving a radio resource control (RRC) messaging comprising a field indicating a starting symbol fora physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). The wireless device may monitor for at least one PDCCH candidate. A PDCCH candidate may start based on a listen-before- talk (LBT) procedure, the starting symbol. The claims although not identical they are not patentably distinct.
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, 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.
Claim(s) 1-21 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Larsson et al. (U.S. Pub No. 2018/0199369 A1) in view of Frenne et al. (U.S. Pub No. 2017/0280479 A1)
1, Larsson teaches a method comprising: receiving, by a wireless device, radio resource control (RRC) messaging associated with downlink transmission [par 0082, The wireless device is connected to a first cell and a second cell, wherein the second cell is configured on a carrier where an LBT protocol for transmission is required to be used. Downlink transmissions may be scheduled using self-scheduling on the second cell, and that uplink transmissions on the second cell are to be scheduled using cross - carrier scheduling on the first cell. It is also possible that two separate configuration
messages are received, one for the downlink and one for the uplink. The configuration message or messages may be transmitted via radio resource control (RRC) signalling];
receiving, via a physical downlink channel, a signal that starts, at a time in a time duration, based on: a listen-before-talk (LBT) procedure [par 0016, 0104, 0119, 0165, 0171, For data transmissions on a given CC, a UE expects to receive scheduling messages on the (E)PDCCH on just one CC—either the same CC, or a different CC via cross-carrier scheduling; this mapping from (E)PDCCH to PDSCH is also configured semi-statically. For EPDCCH, it may be possible to avoid the case where EPDCCH is needed to be provided before or at the same time as the corresponding PDSCH. This is by configuring the EPDCCH to start later in the subframe than the PDSCH would start on the LAA SCell. To reduce the UEs complexity, the UE may be configured with one fixed candidate for the EPDCCH starting OS which already exists in the standard. The proper choice of the EPDCCH starting OS depends on the operating point of the LBT protocol. The example in FIG. 29 shows that the EPDCCH always start in OS #3 irrespective of where the subframe is located in a transmission burst based on the CCA time budget of 3 OFDM symbols];
Larsson fail to show a starting symbol value, indicated in the RRC messaging, offset from a non-zero offset symbol value that is indicated in the RRC messaging.
In an analogous art Frenne show a starting symbol value, indicated in the RRC messaging, offset from a non-zero offset symbol value that is indicated in the RRC messaging [par 0024, 0087, 0094, 0125, The RRC signaling may comprise information about starting OFDM symbols for EPDCCH and/or PDCCH within a subframe for the subframes in which LBT is performed as well as for subframes without LBT. Furthermore, the RRC signaling may comprise index of configurable PQI states providing more configurable PQI states in order to provide more alternatives for start symbols for the PDSCH. E.g. a first index may indicate start positions 0,1,2,4 while a second index may indicate start positions 1,2,4,6. This may alternatively be done from the first radio access node 12. The RRC signaling may comprise information about starting OFDM symbol for PDSCH within a subframe for the subframes in which LBT is performed as well as for subframes without LBT. Furthermore, the RRC signaling may comprise index of configurable PQI states providing more configurable PQI states in order to provide more alternatives for start symbols for the PDSCH. , the communication terminal 10 is configured with at least two EPDCCH sets. In an example the first EPDCCH set in PQI is configured such that it can be used for transmission without LBT by configuring the starting OFDM symbol for PDSCH on the carrier with scheduled data at the first or second OFDM symbol. For the second EPDCCH set the starting OFDM symbol for PDSCH on the carrier with scheduled data should allow for LBT at the beginning of the subframe. The other EPDCCH sets would then have different starting OFDM symbols corresponding to when the channel can be accessed after LBT is performed. For example one EPDCCH set can for example have starting OFDM symbol four and another EPDCCH set can have starting OFDM symbol six].
Before the effective filing date it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to combine the teachings of Larsson and Frenne because resources of the subframe may be efficiently used leading to an improved performance of the wireless communication network. [Frenne, par 0039]
2, Larsson and Frenne provides the method of claim 1, Larsson fail to show further comprising determining the non-zero offset symbol value based on a field, in the RRC messaging, that indicates one or more possible starting positions of transmission in the time duration
In an analogous art Frenne show further comprising determining the non-zero offset symbol value based on a field, in the RRC messaging, that indicates one or more possible starting positions of transmission in the time duration [par 0066,0087, The problem of mismatch between the radio access node and the communication terminal 10 in transmission time due to LBT may further be solved by using higher layer signaling and dynamic signaling where information about the starting OFDM symbol for the EPDCCH and/or the PDSCH within the subframe is provided to the communication terminal 10 for the subframes in which LBT is performed as well as for subframes without LBT. , The RRC signaling may comprise information about starting OFDM symbols for EPDCCH and/or PDCCH within a subframe for the subframes in which LBT is performed as well as for subframes without LBT. Furthermore, the RRC signaling may comprise index of configurable PQI states providing more configurable PQI states in order to provide more alternatives for start symbols for the PDSCH. E.g. a first index may indicate start positions 0,1,2,4 while a second index may indicate start positions 1,2,4,6. This may alternatively be done from the first radio access node 12].
Before the effective filing date it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to combine the teachings of Larsson and Frenne because resources of the subframe may be efficiently used leading to an improved performance of the wireless communication network. [Frenne, par 0039]
3, Larsson and Frenne create the method of claim 1, Larsson fail to show wherein the non-zero offset symbol value corresponds to one slot of the time duration
In an analogous art Frenne show wherein the non-zero offset symbol value corresponds to one slot [par 0021, 0021, 0087, For transmissions modes 1-9, the starting OFDM symbol in the first slot of the subframe for EPDCCH can be configured by higher layer signaling and the same starting OFDM symbol is in this case used for the corresponding scheduled PDSCH. Both sets have the same EPDCCH starting symbol for these transmission modes. The RRC signaling may comprise information about starting OFDM symbols for EPDCCH and/or PDCCH within a subframe for the subframes in which LBT is performed as well as for subframes without LBT. Furthermore, the RRC signaling may comprise index of configurable PQI states providing more configurable PQI states in order to provide more alternatives for start symbols for the PDSCH. E.g. a first index may indicate start positions 0,1,2,4 while a second index may indicate start positions 1,2,4,6. This may alternatively be done from the first radio access node 12].
Before the effective filing date it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to combine the teachings of Larsson and Frenne because resources of the subframe may be efficiently used leading to an improved performance of the wireless communication network. [Frenne, par 0039]
4. Larsson and Frenne demonstrate the method of claim 1, wherein the non-zero offset symbol value indicates an offset from a beginning of the time duration [Larsson, par 0174, For DMRS-based transmission the UE may be configured with one of the four candidates of the EPDCCH starting. A candidate with an offset from the subframe boundary may be preferred. A maximum channel occupancy of 4 ms may suggest OS#3 as the starting symbol for EPDCCH. FIG. 29 illustrates examples on LAA self-scheduling on the SCell with maximum channel occupancy of 4 ms. A new control bit in the DCI message may indicate to the UE starting point of the PDSCH. The default may be a choice between two alternatives of OS#0 and OS#3].
5. Larsson and Frenne creates the method of claim 1, wherein the physical downlink channel is a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) [par 0104, As for a fourth embodiment, cross-carrier scheduling based on EPDCCH is considered. For EPDCCH, it may be possible to avoid the case where EPDCCH is needed to be
provided before or at the same time as the corresponding PDSCH. This is by configuring the EPDCCH to start later in the subframe than the PDSCH would start on the LAA SCell].
6, Larsson and Frenne reveals the method of claim 1, wherein the physical downlink channel is a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) [par 0104, As for a fourth embodiment, cross-carrier scheduling based on EPDCCH is considered. For EPDCCH, it may be possible to avoid the case where EPDCCH is needed to be provided before or at the same time as the corresponding PDSCH. This is by configuring the EPDCCH to start later in the subframe than the PDSCH would start on the LAA SCell].
7. Larsson and Frenne discloses the method of claim 1, Larson fail to show wherein the non-zero offset symbol value is seven.
In an analogous art Frenne show wherein the non-zero offset symbol value is seven[par 0124, In another example, the starting OFDM symbol for EPDCCH/PDSCH in the PQI set can be signaled using 4 bits giving an upper limit of 16 potentially different OFDM starting symbols. In this manner the possibility of LBT is extended even to the any symbol in the first or second slot since a slot extends or comprises seven OFDM symbols].
Before the effective filing date it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to combine the teachings of Larsson and Frenne because resources of the subframe may be efficiently used leading to an improved performance of the wireless communication network. [Frenne, par 0039]
8. Larsson describe a wireless device comprising: one or more processors; and memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors [par 0107, a memory 1730, radio circuitry 1710 and an antenna. In particular embodiments, some or all of the functionality described above as being provided by UEs, MTC or M2M devices, and/or any other types of wireless communication devices may be provided by the processor(s) 1720 executing instructions stored on a computer-readable medium, such as the memory 1730 shown in FIG. 17; the combination of the processor(s) 1720 and memory],
cause the wireless device to: receive radio resource control (RRC) messaging associated with downlink transmission[par 0082, The wireless device is connected to a
first cell and a second cell, wherein the second cell is configured on a carrier where an LBT protocol for transmission is required to be used. Downlink transmissions may be scheduled using self-scheduling on the second cell, and that uplink transmissions on the second cell are to be scheduled using cross-carrier scheduling on the first cell. It is also possible that two separate configuration messages are received, one for the downlink and one for the uplink. The configuration message or messages may be transmitted via radio resource control (RRC) signalling];
receiving, via a physical downlink channel, a signal that starts, at a time, based on: a listen-before-talk (LBT) procedure [par 0016, 0104, 0119, 0165, 0171, For data transmissions on a given CC, a UE expects to receive scheduling messages on the (E)PDCCH on just one CC—either the same CC, or a different CC via cross-carrier scheduling; this mapping from (E)PDCCH to PDSCH is also configured semi-statically. For EPDCCH, it may be possible to avoid the case where EPDCCH is needed to be provided before or at the same time as the corresponding PDSCH. This is by configuring the EPDCCH to start later in the subframe than the PDSCH would start on the LAA SCell. To reduce the UEs complexity, the UE may be configured with one fixed candidate for the EPDCCH starting OS which already exists in the standard. The proper choice of the EPDCCH starting OS depends on the operating point of the LBT protocol. The example in FIG. 29 shows that the EPDCCH always start in OS #3 irrespective of where the subframe is located in a transmission burst based on the CCA time budget of 3 OFDM symbols];
Larsson fail to show a starting symbol value, indicated in the RRC messaging, offset from a non-zero offset symbol value that is indicated in the RRC messaging.
In an analogous art Frenne show a starting symbol value, indicated in the RRC messaging, offset from a non-zero offset symbol value that is indicated in the RRC messaging [par 0024, 0087, 0094, 0125, The RRC signaling may comprise information about starting OFDM symbols for EPDCCH and/or PDCCH within a subframe for the subframes in which LBT is performed as well as for subframes without LBT. Furthermore, the RRC signaling may comprise index of configurable PQI states providing more configurable PQI states in order to provide more alternatives for start symbols for the PDSCH. E.g. a first index may indicate start positions 0,1,2,4 while a second index may indicate start positions 1,2,4,6. This may alternatively be done from the first radio access node 12. The RRC signaling may comprise information about starting OFDM symbol for PDSCH within a subframe for the subframes in which LBT is performed as well as for subframes without LBT. Furthermore, the RRC signaling may comprise index of configurable PQI states providing more configurable PQI states in order to provide more alternatives for start symbols for the PDSCH. , the communication terminal 10 is configured with at least two EPDCCH sets. In an example the first EPDCCH set in PQI is configured such that it can be used for transmission without LBT by configuring the starting OFDM symbol for PDSCH on the carrier with scheduled data at the first or second OFDM symbol. For the second EPDCCH set the starting OFDM symbol for PDSCH on the carrier with scheduled data should allow for LBT at the beginning of the subframe. The other EPDCCH sets would then have different starting OFDM symbols corresponding to when the channel can be accessed after LBT is performed. For example one EPDCCH set can for example have starting OFDM symbol four and another EPDCCH set can have starting OFDM symbol six].
Before the effective filing date it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to combine the teachings of Larsson and Frenne because resources of the subframe may be efficiently used leading to an improved performance of the wireless communication network. [Frenne, par 0039]
9, Larsson and Frenne convey the wireless device of claim 8, Larsson fail to show wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the wireless device to determine the non-zero offset symbol value based on a field, in the RRC messaging, that indicates one or more possible starting positions of transmission in the time duration.
In an analogous art Frenne show wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the wireless device to determine the non-zero offset symbol value based on a field, in the RRC messaging, that indicates one or more possible starting positions of transmission in the time duration[par 0066,0087, The problem of mismatch between the radio access node and the communication terminal 10 in transmission time due to LBT may further be solved by using higher layer signaling and dynamic signaling where information about the starting OFDM symbol for the EPDCCH and/or the PDSCH within the subframe is provided to the communication terminal 10 for the subframes in which LBT is performed as well as for subframes without LBT. , The RRC signaling may comprise information about starting OFDM symbols for EPDCCH and/or PDCCH within a subframe for the subframes in which LBT is performed as well as for subframes without LBT. Furthermore, the RRC signaling may comprise index of configurable PQI states providing more configurable PQI states in order to provide more alternatives for start symbols for the PDSCH. E.g. a first index may indicate start positions 0,1,2,4 while a second index may indicate start positions 1,2,4,6. This may alternatively be done from the first radio access node 12].
Before the effective filing date it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to combine the teachings of Larsson and Frenne because resources of the subframe may be efficiently used leading to an improved performance of the wireless communication network. [Frenne, par 0039]
10, Larsson and Frenne The wireless device of claim 8, Larsson fail to show wherein the non-zero offset symbol value corresponds to one slot of the time duration.
In an analogous art Frenne show wherein the non-zero offset symbol value corresponds to one slot of the time duration [par 0021, 0021, 0087, For transmissions modes 1-9, the starting OFDM symbol in the first slot of the subframe for EPDCCH can be configured by higher layer signaling and the same starting OFDM symbol is in this case used for the corresponding scheduled PDSCH. Both sets have the same EPDCCH starting symbol for these transmission modes. The RRC signaling may comprise information about starting OFDM symbols for EPDCCH and/or PDCCH within a subframe for the subframes in which LBT is performed as well as for subframes without LBT. Furthermore, the RRC signaling may comprise index of configurable PQI states providing more configurable PQI states in order to provide more alternatives for start symbols for the PDSCH. E.g. a first index may indicate start positions 0,1,2,4 while a second index may indicate start positions 1,2,4,6. This may alternatively be done from the first radio access node 12].
Before the effective filing date it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to combine the teachings of Larsson and Frenne because resources of the subframe may be efficiently used leading to an improved performance of the wireless communication network. [Frenne, par 0039]
11. Larsson and Frenne provides the wireless device of claim 8, Larsson fail to show wherein the non-zero offset symbol value an offset from a beginning the time duration[par 0174, For DMRS-based transmission the UE may be configured with one of the four candidates of the EPDCCH starting. A candidate with an offset from the subframe boundary may be preferred. A maximum channel occupancy of 4 ms may suggest OS#3 as the starting symbol for EPDCCH. FIG. 29 illustrates examples on LAA self-scheduling on the SCell with maximum channel occupancy of 4 ms. A new control bit in the DCI message may indicate to the UE starting point of the PDSCH. The default may be a choice between two alternatives of OS#0 and OS#3].
12. Larsson and Frenne discloses the wireless device of claim 8, wherein the physical downlink channel is a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) [par 0104, As for a fourth embodiment, cross-carrier scheduling based on EPDCCH Is considered. For EPDCCH, it may be possible to avoid the case where EPDCCH is needed to be provided before or at the same time as the corresponding PDSCH. This is by configuring the EPDCCH to start later in the subframe than the PDSCH would start on the LAA SCell].
13, Larsson and Frenne reveals the wireless device of claim 8, wherein the physical downlink channel is a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) [par 0104, As for a fourth embodiment, cross-carrier scheduling based on EPDCCH Is considered. For EPDCCH, it may be possible to avoid the case where EPDCCH is needed to be provided before or at the same time as the corresponding PDSCH. This is by configuring the EPDCCH to start later in the subframe than the PDSCH would start on the LAA SCell].
14. Larsson and Frenne defines the wireless device of claim 8, Larsson fail to show wherein the non-zero offset symbol value is seven.
In an analogous art Frenne show wherein the non-zero offset symbol value is seven[par 0124, In another example, the starting OFDM symbol for EPDCCH/PDSCH in the PQI set can be signaled using 4 bits giving an upper limit of 16 potentially different OFDM starting symbols. In this manner the possibility of LBT is extended even to the any symbol in the first or second slot since a slot extends or comprises seven OFDM symbols].
Before the effective filing date it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to combine the teachings of Larsson and Frenne because resources of the subframe may be efficiently used leading to an improved performance of the wireless communication network. [Frenne, par 0039]
15. Larsson defines a system comprising: a base station; and a wireless device; wherein the base station is configured to transmit radio resource control (RRC) messaging associated with downlink transmission[par 0082, The wireless device is connected to a first cell and a second cell, wherein the second cell is configured on a carrier where an LBT protocol for transmission is required to be used. Downlink transmissions may be scheduled using self-scheduling on the second cell, and that uplink transmissions on the second cell are to be scheduled using cross -carrier scheduling on the first cell. It is also possible that two separate configuration messages are received, one for the downlink and one for the uplink. The configuration message or messages may be transmitted via radio resource control (RRC) signalling].
receiving, via a physical downlink channel, a signal that starts, at a time, based on: a listen-before-talk (LBT) procedure [par 0016, 0104, 0119, 0165, 0171, For data transmissions on a given CC, a UE expects to receive scheduling messages on the (E)PDCCH on just one CC—either the same CC, or a different CC via cross-carrier scheduling; this mapping from (E)PDCCH to PDSCH is also configured semi-statically. For EPDCCH, it may be possible to avoid the case where EPDCCH is needed to be provided before or at the same time as the corresponding PDSCH. This is by configuring the EPDCCH to start later in the subframe than the PDSCH would start on the LAA SCell. To reduce the UEs complexity, the UE may be configured with one fixed candidate for the EPDCCH starting OS which already exists in the standard. The proper choice of the EPDCCH starting OS depends on the operating point of the LBT protocol. The example in FIG. 29 shows that the EPDCCH always start in OS #3 irrespective of where the subframe is located in a transmission burst based on the CCA time budget of 3 OFDM symbols];
Larsson fail to show a starting symbol value, indicated in the RRC messaging, offset from a non-zero offset symbol value that is indicated in the RRC messaging.
In an analogous art Frenne show a starting symbol value, indicated in the RRC messaging, offset from a non-zero offset symbol value that is indicated in the RRC messaging [par 0024, 0087, 0094, 0125, The RRC signaling may comprise information about starting OFDM symbols for EPDCCH and/or PDCCH within a subframe for the subframes in which LBT is performed as well as for subframes without LBT. Furthermore, the RRC signaling may comprise index of configurable PQI states providing more configurable PQI states in order to provide more alternatives for start symbols for the PDSCH. E.g. a first index may indicate start positions 0,1,2,4 while a second index may indicate start positions 1,2,4,6. This may alternatively be done from the first radio access node 12. The RRC signaling may comprise information about starting OFDM symbol for PDSCH within a subframe for the subframes in which LBT is performed as well as for subframes without LBT. Furthermore, the RRC signaling may comprise index of configurable PQI states providing more configurable PQI states in order to provide more alternatives for start symbols for the PDSCH. , the communication terminal 10 is configured with at least two EPDCCH sets. In an example the first EPDCCH set in PQI is configured such that it can be used for transmission without LBT by configuring the starting OFDM symbol for PDSCH on the carrier with scheduled data at the first or second OFDM symbol. For the second EPDCCH set the starting OFDM symbol for PDSCH on the carrier with scheduled data should allow for LBT at the beginning of the subframe. The other EPDCCH sets would then have different starting OFDM symbols corresponding to when the channel can be accessed after LBT is performed. For example one EPDCCH set can for example have starting OFDM symbol four and another EPDCCH set can have starting OFDM symbol six].
Before the effective filing date it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to combine the teachings of Larsson and Frenne because resources of the subframe may be efficiently used leading to an improved performance of the wireless communication network. [Frenne, par 0039]
16. Larsson and Frenne reveals the system of claim 15, Larsson fail to show wherein the wireless device is further configured to determine the non-zero offset symbol value based on a field, in the RRC messaging, that indicates one or more possible starting positions of transmission in the time duration.
In an analogous art Frenne show wherein the wireless device is further configured to determine the non-zero offset symbol value based on a field, in the RRC messaging, that indicates one or more possible starting positions of transmission in the time duration[par 0066,0087, The problem of mismatch between the radio access node and the communication terminal 10 in transmission time due to LBT may further be solved by using higher layer signaling and dynamic signaling where information about the starting OFDM symbol for the EPDCCH and/or the PDSCH within the subframe is provided to the communication terminal 10 for the subframes in which LBT is performed as well as for subframes without LBT. , The RRC signaling may comprise information about starting OFDM symbols for EPDCCH and/or PDCCH within a subframe for the subframes in which LBT is performed as well as for subframes without LBT. Furthermore, the RRC signaling may comprise index of configurable PQI states providing more configurable PQI states in order to provide more alternatives for start symbols for the PDSCH. E.g. a first index may indicate start positions 0,1,2,4 while a second index may indicate start positions 1,2,4,6. This may alternatively be done from the first radio access node 12].
Before the effective filing date it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to combine the teachings of Larsson and Frenne because resources of the subframe may be efficiently used leading to an improved performance of the wireless communication network. [Frenne, par 0039]
17. Larsson and Frenne conveys the system of claim 15, Larsson fail to show wherein the non-zero offset symbol value corresponds to one slot.
In an analogous art Frenne show wherein the non-zero offset symbol value corresponds to one slot[par 0021, 0021, 0087, For transmissions modes 1-9, the starting OFDM symbol in the first slot of the subframe for EPDCCH can be configured by higher layer signaling and the same starting OFDM symbol is in this case used for the corresponding scheduled PDSCH. Both sets have the same EPDCCH starting symbol for these transmission modes. The RRC signaling may comprise information about starting OFDM symbols for EPDCCH and/or PDCCH within a subframe for the subframes in which LBT is performed as well as for subframes without LBT. Furthermore, the RRC signaling may comprise index of configurable PQI states providing more configurable PQI states in order to provide more alternatives for start symbols for the PDSCH. E.g. a first index may indicate start positions 0,1,2,4 while a second index may indicate start positions 1,2,4,6. This may alternatively be done from the first radio access node 12].
Before the effective filing date it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to combine the teachings of Larsson and Frenne because resources of the subframe may be efficiently used leading to an improved performance of the wireless communication network. [Frenne, par 0039]
18. Larsson and Frenne provide the system of claim 15, wherein the non-zero offset symbol value indicates an offset from a beginning of a time duration [par 0174, For DMRS-based transmission the UE may be configured with one of the four candidates of the EPDCCH starting. A candidate with an offset from the subframe boundary may be preferred. A maximum channel occupancy of 4 ms may suggest OS#3 as the starting symbol for EPDCCH. FIG. 29 illustrates examples on LAA self-scheduling on the SCell with maximum channel occupancy of 4 ms. A new control bit in the DCI message may indicate to the UE starting point of the PDSCH. The default may be a choice between two alternatives of OS#0 and OS#3].
19. Larsson and Frenne reveals the system of claim 15, wherein the physical downlink channel is a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) or a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) [Larsson, par 0104, As for a fourth embodiment, cross-carrier scheduling based on EPDCCH is considered. For EPDCCH, it may be possible to avoid the case where EPDCCH is needed to be provided before or at the same time as the corresponding PDSCH. This is by configuring the EPDCCH to start later in the subframe than the PDSCH would start on the LAA SCell].
20, Larsson and Frenne provide the system of claim 15, Larsson fail to show wherein the non-zero offset symbol value is seven.
In an analogous art Frenne to show wherein the non-zero offset symbol value is seven[par 0124, In another example, the starting OFDM symbol for EPDCCH/PDSCH in the PQI set can be signaled using 4 bits giving an upper limit of 16 potentially different OFDM starting symbols. In this manner the possibility of LBT is extended even to the any symbol in the first or second slot since a slot extends or comprises seven OFDM symbols].
Before the effective filing date it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to combine the teachings of Larsson and Frenne because resources of the subframe may be efficiently used leading to an improved performance of the wireless communication network. [Frenne, par 0039]
21. Larsson and Frenne disclose the method of claim 1, Larsson fail to show wherein the RRC messaging comprises: a first field indicating the starting symbol value; and a second field indicating the non-zero offset symbol value.
In an analogous art Frenne show wherein the RRC messaging comprises: a first field indicating the starting symbol value; and a second field indicating the non-zero offset symbol value[par 0024, 0087, 0094, 0125, The RRC signaling may comprise information about starting OFDM symbols for EPDCCH and/or PDCCH within a subframe for the subframes in which LBT is performed as well as for subframes without LBT. Furthermore, the RRC signaling may comprise index of configurable PQI states providing more configurable PQI states in order to provide more alternatives for start symbols for the PDSCH. E.g. a first index may indicate start positions 0,1,2,4 while a second index may indicate start positions 1,2,4,6. This may alternatively be done from the first radio access node 12. The RRC signaling may comprise information about starting OFDM symbol for PDSCH within a subframe for the subframes in which LBT is performed as well as for subframes without LBT. Furthermore, the RRC signaling may comprise index of configurable PQI states providing more configurable PQI states in order to provide more alternatives for start symbols for the PDSCH. , the communication terminal 10 is configured with at least two EPDCCH sets. In an example the first EPDCCH set in PQI is configured such that it can be used for transmission without LBT by configuring the starting OFDM symbol for PDSCH on the carrier with scheduled data at the first or second OFDM symbol. For the second EPDCCH set the starting OFDM symbol for PDSCH on the carrier with scheduled data should allow for LBT at the beginning of the subframe. The other EPDCCH sets would then have different starting OFDM symbols corresponding to when the channel can be accessed after LBT is performed. For example one EPDCCH set can for example have starting OFDM symbol four and another EPDCCH set can have starting OFDM symbol six].
Before the effective filing date it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to combine the teachings of Larsson and Frenne because resources of the subframe may be efficiently used leading to an improved performance of the wireless communication network. [Frenne, par 0039]
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JASON A HARLEY whose telephone number is (571)270-5435. The examiner can normally be reached 7:30-300 6:30-8:30.
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, Marcus Smith can be reached at (571) 270-1096. 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.
/JASON A HARLEY/Examiner, Art Unit 2468