DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA
Response to Amendment
Applicant’s amendment filled on 06/17/2026 has been entered.
Claims 16-18, 21, 23-29, 32, 33, and 35 are amended.
Response to Arguments
Applicant arguments filed on 06/17/2026 have been fully considered and are moot in view of the new ground of rejection(s).
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.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
Claim(s) 16, 23-26,28-29,35-36 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Duan to (US 20240077568 A1) in view of LORCA HERNANDO to (WO 2024173220 A1)
Regarding claims 16,29,36 Duan teaches an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code which, when executed by the at least one processor, ([0109] … comprise processor(s), memory, communications subsystem, wireless communications interface, and/or other components ) causes the apparatus at least to: determine the one or more parameters of each of one or more uplink reference signals received at a communication device, ([00174] discloses determine that a non-line-of-sight (NLOS) wireless signal path is present between a given UE and the one or more wireless network nodes) wherein the one or more parameters of each of the one or more the uplink reference signals include an angle of arrival of the respective uplink reference signal at the communication device;([00175] discloses wherein the information indicative of the measurement between the one or more wireless network nodes and the one or more UEs comprise (i) angle of arrival (AoA) estimations based on uplink reference signals ) determine one or more parameters of each of one or more downlink reference signals received by the communication device, ([00174] discloses determine that a non-line-of-sight (NLOS) wireless signal path is present between a given UE and the one or more wireless network nodes) wherein said parameters of said downlink reference signals include an angle of arrival of the respective downlink reference signal at the communication device; ;([00175] discloses wherein the information indicative of the measurement between the one or more wireless network nodes and the one or more UEs comprise (i) angle of arrival (AoA) estimations based on downlink reference signals ) identify groups of non-line-of-sight signals, wherein each group comprises one or more of said uplink reference signals and one or more of said downlink reference signals, ([0080] discloses uplink Measurement-Based Detection of NLOS…[0082] discloses Downlink Measurement-Based Detection of NLOS ) wherein said groups are identified based on matching angles of arrival of the respective uplink and downlink reference signals at the communication device;([0081] discloses spatial relationships may indicate a match between the uplink reference signal (UL-SRS) and the downlink beam. If all the UL-SRS have the same or substantially similar spatial relationship between the UL-SRS (from multiple UEs) and the downlink beam, then there is a likelihood that the UE 404 is under the coverage of a repeater because the source of the corresponding downlink beam is the wireless network node to the repeater relaying the UL-SRS..[0083] discloses If the DL-AoA measured with PRS transmitted from different gNBs are the same or substantially similar (e.g., within a prescribed AoA threshold or range), there is a likelihood that the detected PRSes were forwarded by a repeater, indicating a likelihood that NLOS was caused by the repeater and/or that the UE 404 is within a coverage hole)
Duan does not explicitly teach exclude downlink reference signals of the identified groups of non-line-of-sight signals from a set of candidate line-of-sight downlink reference signals, wherein the said groups are identified based on matching angles of arrival of the respective uplink and downlink reference signals at the communication device
LORCA HERNANDO teaches wherein the said groups are identified based on matching
angles of arrival of the respective uplink and downlink reference signals at the
communication device([0016] FIG.2 depicts an example downlink (DL) Positioning Reference Signal (DL-PRS) for positioning a type 2 signal. [0017] FIG.3 depicts an example uplink (UL) Sounding Reference Signal (UL-SRS) for positioning a type 2 signal. [0018] FIG.4 depicts an example frequency multiplexing of DL-PRS type 2 signals corresponding to different transmit-receive points (TRPs) at a given DL-PRS type 2 occasion. [0019] FIG.5 depicts an example frequency multiplexing of SRS for positioning type 2 signals corresponding to different WTRUs at a given SRS for positioning (SRSp) type 2 occasion. [0020] FIG.6 depicts an example multiplexing of DL-PRS type 1 and type 2 signals) exclude downlink reference signals of the identified groups of non-line-of-sight signals from a set of candidate line-of-sight downlink reference signals( [0090] Positioning techniques may be impaired by the presence of non-line of sight (NLOS) conditions. Consequently, in some systems, an information element (IE) LOS- NLOS-Indicator may be sent to inform about the likelihood of a TRP being in NLOS conditions. With this information, the system may exclude the TRP in NLOS conditions from the timing computations to avoid extra positioning errors. The LOS-NLOS IE may be sent based on the outcome of algorithms aimed at detecting the absence of a line of sight (LOS) component in a particular TRP. [0091] Positioning and velocity estimation in non-line of sight (NLOS) may be enabled using one or more enhanced positioning signals. Cellular-based OTDoA and/or UTDoA positioning techniques may be based on positioning reference signals whose bandwidth is inversely proportional to the required positioning accuracy. [0092] Despite the relatively high bandwidth of NR positioning signals, NR positioning signals may suffer from significant inaccuracies in NLOS scenarios. These significant inaccuracies may occur because of timing errors introduced by the multipath components. This situation may often be encountered in cellular urban channels. One or more procedures may include detecting the likelihood of NLOS to further exclude those measurements when appropriate)
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one ordinarily skilled in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to enable the system of Duan include wherein the said groups are identified based on matching angles of arrival of the respective uplink and downlink reference signals at the communication device, exclude downlink reference signals of the identified groups of non-line-of-sight signals from a set of candidate line-of-sight downlink reference signals, as suggested by LORCA HERNANDO. This modification would benefit the system to facilitate an accurate position determination.
Regarding claims 23,35 Duan teaches An apparatus as claimed in claim 16, further configured to: determine that one of said uplink reference signals and one of said downlink reference signals have matching angles of arrival in the event that the angle of arrival of the respective uplink signal and the angle of arrival of the respective downlink reference signal differ by less than a threshold amount([0080] discloses If the AoA measured at the wireless network node is the same or substantially similar (e.g., within a prescribed AoA threshold or range), then there is a likelihood that the UE 404 is under the coverage of a repeater because the AoA estimations at the wireless network node would be based on signals from the repeater rather than the respective locations of the UEs).
Regarding claim 24, Duan teaches An apparatus as claimed in claim 16, further configured to: transmit the uplink reference signal; and/or receive the downlink reference signals([00175] discloses wherein the information indicative of the measurement between the one or more wireless network nodes and the one or more UEs comprise (i) angle of arrival (AoA) estimations based on downlink reference signals ).
Regarding claim 25, Duan teaches wherein said communication device is a hybrid device comprising: a first portion or a first device for transmitting uplink reference signals; and a second portion or a second device for receiving downlink reference signals(fig.4) .
Regarding claim 26, Duan teaches An apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein some or all of said uplink reference signals are reflections of an uplink reference signal transmitted by the communication device([0095] discloses This type of NLOS may be more difficult to utilize than the PRS-common NLOS, as the NLOS may correspond to different wireless network nodes or the physical environment (e.g., multiple potential nodes and reflective surfaces), making it difficult to map the locations of the repeater(s) as anchor nodes for localization) .
Regarding claim 28. An apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the uplink reference signal is a sounding reference signal and/or the downlink reference signal is positioning reference signal([0108] discloses uplink reference signals may include uplink Sounding Reference Signals (UL-SRS). In some implementations, downlink reference signals may include downlink Positioning Reference Signals (DL-PRS)).
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.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
Claim(s) 17-18 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Duan to (US20240077568A1) in view of LORCA HERNANDO to (WO 2024173220 A1) further in view of Fakoorian to (US20220322035)
Regarding claims 17, Duan does not explicitly teach further configured to: compensate for differences in an orientation of the communication device when receiving said uplink and downlink reference signals
However, Fakoorian teaches compensate for differences in an orientation of the communication device when receiving said uplink and downlink reference signals ([0040] discloses inaccuracy may be introduced by an NLOS effect. In general, the first and second points may be estimated and compensated by calibration techniques)
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one ordinarily skilled in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to enable the system of Duan include compensate for differences in an orientation of the communication device when receiving said uplink and downlink reference signals, as suggested by Fakoorian. This modification would benefit the system to reduce communication error.
Regarding claims 18, Duan does not explicitly teach determine said orientation for use in compensating for said differences in orientation
However, Fakoorian teaches determine said orientation for use in compensating for said differences in orientation ([0040] discloses inaccuracy may be introduced by deviation from panel orientation at a transmitter or receive)
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one ordinarily skilled in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to enable the system of Duan include determine said orientation for use in compensating for said differences in orientation, as suggested by Fakoorian. This modification would benefit the system to reduce communication error.
Claim(s) 19-22,27,30-33 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Duan to (US20240077568A1) in view of LORCA HERNANDO to (WO 2024173220 A1) further in view of Shah to (WO2023212224A2) (for examination purpose see (US 20250300900 A1))
Regarding claims 19,30 Duan does not explicitly teach identify a most-likely line-of-sight downlink reference signal from the set of candidate line-of-sight downlink reference signals
However, Shah teaches identify a most-likely line-of-sight downlink reference signal from the set of candidate line-of-sight downlink reference signals ([0010] discloses LOS communications includes a list of TRP identifiers and an associated predetermined bit indicating either LOS or non-line-of-sight (NLOS). In some implementations, the transmitter is further configured to transmit a request for a PRS to each of the TRPs associated with LOS communications. In some implementations, the receiver is further configured to receive a PRS from a plurality of TRPs associated with LOS communications. In some implementations, a LOS path to at least one of the TRPs associated with LOS communications is obscured)
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one ordinarily skilled in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to enable the system of Duan identify a most-likely line-of-sight downlink reference signal from the set of candidate line-of-sight downlink reference signals, as suggested by Shah. This modification would benefit the system to reduce communication error.
Regarding claims 20,31 the combination of Duan and LORCA HERNANDO and Shah teaches wherein the most-likely line-of-sight downlink reference signal is based on: gains of the candidate line-of-sight downlink reference signals; delays of the candidate line-of-sight downlink reference signals; or a combination of the gains and the delays of the candidate line-of-sight downlink reference signals(Shah,[0249],[0251] discloses where each tap is associated with relative delay with respect to the first tap and relative power with respect to the tap with the highest power); peak power (e.g., peak RSRP) data; average power (e.g., mean RSRP) data; peak to average power ratio data; skewness of channel impulse response data; and/or kurtosis of channel impulse response data).
Regarding claims 21,32 Duan does not explicitly teach wherein: the parameters of said one or more uplink reference signals further comprise one or more of: a gain of the respective reflected signal and a delay of the respective reflected signal; and the parameters of the downlink reference signals further comprise one or more of: a gain of the respective downlink reference signal and a delay of the respective downlink reference signal
However, Shah teaches the parameters of said one or more uplink reference signals further comprise one or more of: a gain of the respective reflected signal and a delay of the respective reflected signal; and the parameters of the downlink reference signals further comprise one or more of: a gain of the respective downlink reference signal and a delay of the respective downlink reference signal([0249],[0251] discloses where each tap is associated with relative delay with respect to the first tap and relative power with respect to the tap with the highest power); peak power (e.g., peak RSRP) data; average power (e.g., mean RSRP) data; peak to average power ratio data; skewness of channel impulse response data; and/or kurtosis of channel impulse response data)
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one ordinarily skilled in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to enable the system of Duan the parameters of said one or more uplink reference signals further comprise one or more of: a gain of the respective reflected signal and a delay of the respective reflected signal; and the parameters of the downlink reference signals further comprise one or more of: a gain of the respective downlink reference signal and a delay of the respective downlink reference signal, as suggested by Shah. This modification would benefit the system to reduce communication error.
Regarding claims 22,33 Duan does not explicitly teach determine a line-of-sight probability estimate for each of the set of candidate line-of-sight downlink reference signals
However, Shah teaches determine a line-of-sight probability estimate for each of the set of candidate line-of-sight downlink reference signals ([0255] discloses he WTRU obtains LOS probability of each neighboring TRP. In some implementations, based on LOS probability of the different TRPs, the WTRU selects neighboring TRPs to transmit PRS and measure TDOA. In some implementations, TDOA measurements performed with LOS TRPs minimize positioning error)
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one ordinarily skilled in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to enable the system of Duan determine a line-of-sight probability estimate for each of the set of candidate line-of-sight downlink reference signals, as suggested by Shah. This modification would benefit the system to reduce communication error.
Regarding claim 27, Duan does not explicitly teach wherein said communication device is a full-duplex communication device
However, Shah teaches wherein said communication device is a full-duplex communication device ( [0065] The WTRU 102 may include a full duplex radio for which transmission and reception of some or all of the signals (e.g., associated with particular subframes for both the UL (e.g., for transmission) and DL (e.g., for reception) may be concurrent and/or simultaneous)
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one ordinarily skilled in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to enable the system of Duan wherein said communication device is a full-duplex communication device, as suggested by Shah. This modification would benefit the system to reduce communication error.
Conclusion
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ZEWDU A BEYEN whose telephone number is (571)270-7157. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9:00-6:00.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Huy D Vu can be reached at 571-272-3155. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/ZEWDU A BEYEN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2461
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