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 .
Priority
Applicant’s claim for the benefit of a prior-filed application under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) or under 35 U.S.C. 120, 121, 365(c), or 386(c) is acknowledged.
---------- ---------- ----------
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statements (IDS) submitted on 25th April 2024 and 12th November 2024 are in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
========== ========== ==========
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 1, 2, 5 – 9, 10, 13, 14 and 17 – 20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Rong et al (US 2023/0269041 A1).
Claim 1 (similarly Claim 13). Rong shows a user equipment (UE) (figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 and 10: UE), comprising: a processor (fig. 10: processor) configured to apply a reference transmission configuration indication (TCI) state for UE dedicated control and data channels ([0142]: when a UE receives a DCI for DL beam indication, one TCI codepoint in the DCI TCI field may indicate multiple TCI states… the source reference signal(s) in each of the DL TCI states provide QCL information for UE-dedicated reception on PDSCH and for UE-dedicated reception on all the CORESET(s) in the associated CORESET group (e.g. the CORESET group associated with the TCI state)); and a transceiver operably coupled to the processor (fig. 10: interface(s) 1010/1012), the transceiver configured to receive, via a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE), a plurality of TCI codepoints ([0008]: a first control message comprising a first indicator indicating a mapping relationship between a plurality of TCI states and a plurality of TCI codepoints, wherein at least a first TCI state of the plurality of TCI states is for DL communication and at least a second TCI state of the plurality of TCI states is for UL communication and both the first TCI state and the second TCI state are mapped to a first TCI codepoint of the plurality of TCI codepoints; [0106]: the mapping between TCI state(s) and codepoint(s) of the TCI field of the DCI message is indicated by the base station to the UE in UE-specific TCI states activation/deactivation MAC CE; [0108]: each of the TCI-state IEs comprises a TCI state ID that identifies the corresponding TCI state wherein the existing UE-specific TCI states activation/deactivation MAC CE may be used to map different TCI state to different TCI codepoint; [0142]: the mapping of multiple TCI states to one TCI codepoint may be indicated by the base station through MAC CE), wherein the processor is further configured to: identify a reference TCI codepoint from the plurality of TCI codepoints (figs. 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E and 3F; [0109] – [0114]: examples of one (“reference”) TCI codepoint being mapped to multiple TCI states); determine, from the reference TCI codepoint, one or more TCI states (see above); and determine whether to apply the one or more TCI states or the reference TCI state for the UE dedicated control and data channels ([0140] – [0142]: support multiple TCI states such that each of the TCI states provide QCL information for UE-dedicated reception on a subset of CORESETs in a component carrier… the multiple TCI states, each of which provides QCL information for UE-dedicated reception on a subset of CORESETs, is supported… one TCI codepoint in the DCI TCI field indicate two TCI states… the first TCI state is associated with the first CORESET group and the second TCI state is associated with the second CORESET group wherein when a UE receives a DCI for DL beam indication, the source reference signal(s) in the first TCI state indicated by the TCI field provide QCL information for UE-dedicated reception on PDSCH and for UE-dedicated reception on the first CORESET group).
Claim 2 (similarly claim 14). Rong shows the UE of claim 1, wherein: at least one TCI codepoint from the plurality of TCI codepoints includes at least first and second TCI states ([0009]: a second indicator indicating the first TCI codepoint; and performing, by the communication device, UL communication using the first TCI state and the second TCI state in accordance with the first TCI codepoint; [0108]: the TCI codepoints of the activated TCI states are determined in accordance with the order of the corresponding Ti field… the first TCI state with Ti field set to 1 is mapped to TCI codepoint value 0, the second TCI state with Ti field set to 1 is mapped to TCI codepoint value 1, and so on); and the processor is further configured to identify one or more TCI codepoints from the plurality of TCI codepoints that include more than one TCI state (figs. 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E and 3F; [0109] – [0114]: examples of multiple TCI codepoints being mapped to multiple TCI states).
Claim 5 (similarly claim 17). Rong shows the UE of claim 4, wherein, when the reference TCI codepoint includes first and second TCI states, the processor is further configured to apply the first and second TCI states for the UE dedicated control and data channels ([0142]: the first TCI state is associated with the first CORESET group and the second TCI state is associated with the second CORESET group wherein when a UE receives a DCI for DL beam indication, the source reference signal(s) in the first TCI state indicated by the TCI field provide QCL information for UE-dedicated reception on PDSCH and for UE-dedicated reception on the first CORESET group and the source reference signal(s) in the second TCI state indicated by the TCI field provide QCL information for UE-dedicated reception on PDSCH and for UE-dedicated reception on the second CORESET group).
Claim 6 (similarly claim 18). Rong shows the UE of claim 4, wherein, when the reference TCI codepoint comprises one TCI state, the processor is further configured to identify whether the one TCI state corresponds to a first TCI state or a second TCI state ([0108]: each of the TCI-state IEs comprises a TCI state ID that identifies the corresponding TCI state; [0110]: the MSB of an octet other than the first octet may then be used to identify the boundary of mappings for different TCI codepoints since a value of “0” of the MSB of an octet may indicate that the TCI state with the TCI state ID indicated in the octet is the last TCI state mapped to a TCI codepoint).
Claim 7 (similarly claim 19). Rong shows the UE of claim 6, wherein: when the one TCI state corresponds to the first TCI state ([0142]: the source reference signal(s) in the first TCI state indicated by the TCI field provide QCL information for UE-dedicated reception on PDSCH and for UE-dedicated reception on the first CORESET group), the processor is further configured to apply the one TCI state as the first TCI state and the reference TCI state as a second TCI state for at least the UE dedicated control and data channels (see above; [0157]: the network controller may receive, from the communication device, data and/or control channel transmitted in accordance with a quasi co-location (QCL) information and/or a spatial filter information determined in accordance with the plurality of source reference signals); and when the one TCI state corresponds to the second TCI state ([0142]: the source reference signal(s) in the second TCI state indicated by the TCI field provide QCL information for UE-dedicated reception on PDSCH and for UE-dedicated reception on the second CORESET group), the processor is further configured to apply the one TCI state as the second TCI state and the reference TCI state as the first TCI state for at least the UE dedicated control and data channels (see above; [0157]: the network controller may receive, from the communication device, data and/or control channel transmitted in accordance with a quasi co-location (QCL) information and/or a spatial filter information determined in accordance with the plurality of source reference signals).
Claim 8 (similarly claim 20). the UE of claim 1, wherein: the transceiver is further configured to receive, via a higher layer parameter PDCCH-Config, values 0 and 1 of coresetPoolIndex ([0094]: a PDCCH may be indicated with a channel type PDCCH followed by a CORESET ID; [0114]: the number of TCI states mapped to a single TCI codepoint may be higher layer configured, e.g. through RRC configuration; [0109] – [0114]: the MSB of the first octet of the MAC CE, e.g. the “R” bit in octet “Oct 1”, may be used to indicate CORESET pool ID or coresetPoolIndex for multiple DCI cases… if this bit is set to “0,” it indicates that the mapping between the TCI states(s) and the TCI codepoint(s) indicated in the MAC CE is specific to coresetPoolIndex o, and if this bit is set to “1,” it indicates that the mapping between the TCI states(s) and the TCI codepoint(s) indicated in the MAC CE is specific to coresetPoolIndex 1); the MAC CE is associated with the value 1 of coresetPoolIndex ([0112]: the MSB of the first octet of the MAC CE, e.g. the “R” bit in octet “Oct 1”, may be used to indicate CORESET pool ID or coresetPoolIndex for multiple DCI cases… if this bit is set to “1,” it indicates that the mapping between the TCI states(s) and the TCI codepoint(s) indicated in the MAC CE is specific to coresetPoolIndex 1); the transceiver is further configured to receive, via a downlink control information (DCI) format associated with the value 1 of coresetPoolIndex, one of the plurality of TCI codepoints comprising one or more TCI states (see above); and the processor is further configured to apply the one or more TCI states to the UE dedicated control and data channels associated with value 1 of coresetPoolIndex ([0143]: each CORESET group is identified with a different coresetPoolIndex value, with coresetPoolIndex o indicating the first CORESET group and coresetPoolIndex 1 indicating the second CORESET group… the UE receives two DCIs indicating two TCI states; [0146]: the control message may comprise indication of a group to which the multiple TCI states should be applied).
---------- ---------- ----------
Claim 9. Rong shows a base station (BS) (figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 and 11: base station / TRP), comprising: a processor (fig. 11: signal processor) configured to determine a reference transmission configuration indication (TCI) state for user equipment (UE) dedicated control and data channels ([0142]: when a UE receives a DCI for DL beam indication, one TCI codepoint in the DCI TCI field may indicate multiple TCI states… the source reference signal(s) in each of the DL TCI states provide QCL information for UE-dedicated reception on PDSCH and for UE-dedicated reception on all the CORESET(s) in the associated CORESET group (e.g. the CORESET group associated with the TCI state)); and a transceiver operably coupled to the processor (fig. 11: transmitter + receiver), the transceiver configured to: transmit the reference TCI state ([0094]: the base station first transmits to the UE a first control message… the first control message is a MAC CE), transmit, via a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE), a plurality of TCI codepoints ([0008]: a first control message comprising a first indicator indicating a mapping relationship between a plurality of TCI states and a plurality of TCI codepoints, wherein at least a first TCI state of the plurality of TCI states is for DL communication and at least a second TCI state of the plurality of TCI states is for UL communication and both the first TCI state and the second TCI state are mapped to a first TCI codepoint of the plurality of TCI codepoints; [0106]: the mapping between TCI state(s) and codepoint(s) of the TCI field of the DCI message is indicated by the base station to the UE in UE-specific TCI states activation/deactivation MAC CE; [0108]: each of the TCI-state IEs comprises a TCI state ID that identifies the corresponding TCI state wherein the existing UE-specific TCI states activation/deactivation MAC CE may be used to map different TCI state to different TCI codepoint; [0142]: the mapping of multiple TCI states to one TCI codepoint may be indicated by the base station through MAC CE), wherein: the plurality of TCI codepoints include a reference TCI codepoint (figs. 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E and 3F; [0109] – [0114]: examples of one (“reference”) TCI codepoint being mapped to multiple TCI states); and the reference TCI codepoint includes one or more TCI states (see above; [0140] – [0142]: support multiple TCI states such that each of the TCI states provide QCL information for UE-dedicated reception on a subset of CORESETs in a component carrier… the multiple TCI states, each of which provides QCL information for UE-dedicated reception on a subset of CORESETs, is supported… one TCI codepoint in the DCI TCI field indicate two TCI states… the first TCI state is associated with the first CORESET group and the second TCI state is associated with the second CORESET group wherein when a UE receives a DCI for DL beam indication, the source reference signal(s) in the first TCI state indicated by the TCI field provide QCL information for UE-dedicated reception on PDSCH and for UE-dedicated reception on the first CORESET group).
Claim 10. Rong shows the BS of claim 9, wherein at least one TCI codepoint from the plurality of TCI codepoints includes at least first and second TCI states ([0009]: a second indicator indicating the first TCI codepoint; and performing, by the communication device, UL communication using the first TCI state and the second TCI state in accordance with the first TCI codepoint; [0108]: the TCI codepoints of the activated TCI states are determined in accordance with the order of the corresponding Ti field… the first TCI state with Ti field set to 1 is mapped to TCI codepoint value 0, the second TCI state with Ti field set to 1 is mapped to TCI codepoint value 1, and so on).
---------- ---------- ----------
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.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
Claims 3, 4, 11, 12, 15 and 16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Rong et al in view of Cirik et al (US 2022/0210818 A1).
Claim 3 (similarly claim 15). Rong shows the UE of claim 2; Rong does not expressly describe wherein the reference TCI codepoint corresponds to a TCI codepoint with a lowest TCI codepoint index among the identified one or more TCI codepoints.Cirik teaches feature of a reference TCI codepoint that corresponds to a TCI codepoint with a lowest TCI codepoint index among identified one or more TCI codepoints ([0378]: the TCI codepoint may have a lowest TCI codepoint index among one or more TCI codepoint indexes of one or more TCI codepoints… when the reference downlink control signal/channel transmission occasion is the second downlink control signal/channel transmission occasion, the time offset is the second time offset).It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to implement the lowest TCI codepoint index feature as taught by Cirik in the reference TCI codepoint process of Rong as a facilitation for a clear, deterministic fallback rule for default beam selection and Quasi-Co-Location (QCL) assumptions when time offsets are too short and for ensuring reliable multi-beam or multi-TRP operation without extra signaling.
Claim 4 (similarly claim 16). Rong shows the UE of claim 1; Rong does not expressly describe wherein the reference TCI codepoint corresponds to a TCI codepoint with a lowest TCI codepoint index among the plurality of TCI codepoints.Cirik teaches feature of a reference TCI codepoint that corresponds to a TCI codepoint with a lowest TCI codepoint index among identified one or more TCI codepoints ([0378]: the TCI codepoint may have a lowest TCI codepoint index among one or more TCI codepoint indexes of one or more TCI codepoints… when the reference downlink control signal/channel transmission occasion is the second downlink control signal/channel transmission occasion, the time offset is the second time offset).It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to implement the lowest TCI codepoint index feature as taught by Cirik in the reference TCI codepoint process of Rong as a facilitation for a clear, deterministic fallback rule for default beam selection and Quasi-Co-Location (QCL) assumptions when time offsets are too short and for ensuring reliable multi-beam or multi-TRP operation without extra signaling.
Claim 11. Rong shows the BS of claim 10; Rong does not expressly describe wherein the reference TCI codepoint corresponds to a TCI codepoint with a lowest TCI codepoint index among the identified one or more TCI codepoints.Cirik teaches feature of a reference TCI codepoint that corresponds to a TCI codepoint with a lowest TCI codepoint index among identified one or more TCI codepoints ([0378]: the TCI codepoint may have a lowest TCI codepoint index among one or more TCI codepoint indexes of one or more TCI codepoints… when the reference downlink control signal/channel transmission occasion is the second downlink control signal/channel transmission occasion, the time offset is the second time offset).It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to implement the lowest TCI codepoint index feature as taught by Cirik in the reference TCI codepoint process of Rong as a facilitation for a clear, deterministic fallback rule for default beam selection and Quasi-Co-Location (QCL) assumptions when time offsets are too short and for ensuring reliable multi-beam or multi-TRP operation without extra signaling.
Claim 12. Rong shows the BS of claim 9; Rong does not expressly describe wherein the reference TCI codepoint corresponds to a TCI codepoint with a lowest TCI codepoint index among the plurality of TCI codepoints.Cirik teaches feature of a reference TCI codepoint that corresponds to a TCI codepoint with a lowest TCI codepoint index among identified one or more TCI codepoints ([0378]: the TCI codepoint may have a lowest TCI codepoint index among one or more TCI codepoint indexes of one or more TCI codepoints… when the reference downlink control signal/channel transmission occasion is the second downlink control signal/channel transmission occasion, the time offset is the second time offset).It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to implement the lowest TCI codepoint index feature as taught by Cirik in the reference TCI codepoint process of Rong as a facilitation for a clear, deterministic fallback rule for default beam selection and Quasi-Co-Location (QCL) assumptions when time offsets are too short and for ensuring reliable multi-beam or multi-TRP operation without extra signaling.
========== ========== ==========
Conclusion
The prior art made of record is considered pertinent to applicant’s disclosure.
1. Yuan et al, US 2024/0414735 A1: a user equipment (UE) receiving a downlink control information message scheduling one or more downlink messages for reception during multiple transmission and reception point operation of a network entity, the downlink control information message including an indication of one or more transmission configuration indicator states for reception of the one or more downlink messages; identifying that the one or more downlink messages are scheduled for reception prior to an end of an offset window associated with processing the indication of the one or more transmission configuration indicator states, wherein a start of the offset window is based at least part on the downlink control information message: selecting one or more default unified transmission configuration indicator states based at least in part on the downlink control information message and the multiple transmission and reception point operation; and receiving the one or more downlink messages while operating in the one or more default unified transmission configuration indicator states based at least in part on an arrival of the one or more downlink messages occurring prior to the end of the offset window. 2. Liu et al, US 2023/0261719 A1: a method comprises determining a default spatial relation and a default pathloss reference RS (PL-RS) for transmission of uplink resource on a serving cell without configured CORESET, the uplink resource is configured with neither higher layer parameter related to spatial relation nor higher layer parameter related to PL-RS, and the higher layer parameter related to enable default beam for the uplink resource is set to ‘enable’, and transmitting the uplink resource according to the determined default spatial relation and the power determined by the determined default PL-RS.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Xavier Szewai Wong whose telephone number is 571.270.1780. The examiner can normally be reached on 11:30 am - 8:30 pm Mon to Fri.
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, Jeffrey Rutkowski can be reached on 571.270.1215. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished applications is available through Private PAIR only. For more information about the PAIR system, see http://pair-direct.uspto.gov. Should you have questions on access to the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to the automated information system, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
/XAVIER S WONG/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2415 25th July 2026
Prosecution Insights