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 .
1. This office action, in response to the request for continued examination and the amendment filed 12/22/2025, is a non-final office action.
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
2. 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and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114.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 12/22/2025 has been entered.
Response to Amendment and Arguments
3. New rejections of the claims, in view of the references provided in the IDS received 12/31/2025, are stated below.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
The following is a quotation of 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)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
4. Claims 1-6, 8-15, 17, 35, 36 and 40 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a) (1) as being anticipated by Pedersen et al (WO 2020/108746 A1).
Regarding claim 1, Pedersen discloses a radio resource management (RRM) measurement method (Page 15: lines 3-4: For RRC idle and inactive mode (where the UE does not have ongoing data transmissions), the primary task of the UE modem will be to conduct radio resource management (RRM) measurements (i.e., RX operations) and monitor for network related signaling. The measurements are used for managing cell reselections and mobility.), comprising:
determining a first RRM measurement parameter corresponding to a number of receiving antennas in a terminal device based on a correspondence between a number of antennas and an RRM measurement parameter (Page 20, lines 14-17: For a RRC connect mode UE in good coverage conditions (the network is aware from the UEs RRM and CSI measurements), the network will inform the UE upon switching to Idle/Inactive to use a reduced number of RX chains for RRM measurements when it switches to Idle/Inactive RRC mode. Page 17: lines 13-14: The transceivers may comprise receive/transmit chains. The terms receive chain and transit chain may be substituted by antennas, antenna panels, branches or antenna groups.); and
performing an RRM measurement based on the first RRM measurement parameter (Page 20, lines 14-17: For a RRC connect mode UE in good coverage conditions (the network is aware from the UEs RRM and CSI measurements), the network will inform the UE upon switching to Idle/Inactive to use a reduced number of RX chains for RRM measurements when it switches to Idle/Inactive RRC mode.);
wherein the RRM measurement parameter includes an RRM non-cell edge criterion measurement parameter (Page 20, lines 10-12: For a RRC connect mode UE at cell edge in a rural network (the network is aware from the UEs RRM and CSI measurements), the network will inform the UE to continue using all RX chains for RRM measurements when it switches to Idle/Inactive RRC mode. Page 20, lines 14-17: For a RRC connect mode UE in good coverage conditions (the network is aware from the UEs RRM and CSI measurements), the network will inform the UE upon switching to Idle/Inactive to use a reduced number of RX chains for RRM measurements when it switches to Idle/Inactive RRC mode.);
wherein determining the first RRM measurement parameter corresponding to the number of receiving antennas in the terminal device comprises:
determining that the RRM non-cell edge criterion measurement parameter is a fifth threshold in response to the number of receiving antennas in the terminal device being a first number; such that the terminal device with the first number of receiving antennas is determined to be in a non-cell-edge state in case a received signal strength or quality of the terminal device exceeds the fifth threshold (Page 20, lines 14-17: For a RRC connect mode UE in good coverage conditions (the network is aware from the UEs RRM and CSI measurements), the network will inform the UE upon switching to Idle/Inactive to use a reduced number of RX chains for RRM measurements when it switches to Idle/Inactive RRC mode. Page 20, lines 31-35: For a RRC connect mode UE the network may configure the UE with RRC idle mode configuration that contains triggers for allowing the UE to activate and deactivate the number of receive chains. That is, if radio communications are above a certain threshold, the UE is allowed to reduce the number of active receiver chains, while if conditions are below the threshold, the UE is supposed to use all antennas. The conditions such as determined from the CSI (quality) measurements which correspond to the present number of antennas is used to determine if the UE is in a good coverage area or at a cell edge in a rural area as well as to determine of the number of antennas is reduced. For example, if the CSI is at or above the threshold that indicates the UE is in a good coverage area, then the antennas are reduced for the next RRM measurements.); or
determining that the RRM non-cell edge criterion measurement parameter is a sixth threshold in response to the number of receiving antennas in the terminal device being a second number; such that the terminal device with the second number of receiving antennas is determined to be in a non-cell-edge position in case a received signal strength or quality of the terminal device exceeds the sixth threshold (Page 20, lines 10-12: For a RRC connect mode UE at cell edge in a rural network (the network is aware from the UEs RRM and CSI measurements), the network will inform the UE to continue using all RX chains for RRM measurements when it switches to Idle/Inactive RRC mode. Page 20, lines 31-35: For a RRC connect mode UE the network may configure the UE with RRC idle mode configuration that contains triggers for allowing the UE to activate and deactivate the number of receive chains. That is, if radio communications are above a certain threshold, the UE is allowed to reduce the number of active receiver chains, while if conditions are below the threshold, the UE is supposed to use all antennas. The conditions such as determined from the CSI (quality) measurements which correspond to the present number of antennas is used to determine if the UE is in a good coverage area or at a cell edge in a rural area as well as to determine of the number of antennas is reduced. For example, if the CSI is at or above the threshold that indicates the UE is not in a cell edge in a rural network, then the antennas are maintained for the next RRM measurements. Page 20, lines 4-8: UEs in cell-edge conditions should operate with all 4-RX chains.);
wherein the first number is different from the second number (Page 20, lines 14-17: For a RRC connect mode UE in good coverage conditions (the network is aware from the UEs RRM and CSI measurements), the network will inform the UE upon switching to Idle/Inactive to use a reduced number of RX chains for RRM measurements when it switches to Idle/Inactive RRC mode.), and the fifth threshold is different from or same as the sixth threshold (Any number will be either the same as or different from than any other number.).
Regarding claim 2, Pedersen discloses determining the correspondence between the number of antennas and the RRM measurement parameter based on one of a protocol or a received indication message (Page 20, lines 14-17: For a RRC connect mode UE in good coverage conditions (the network is aware from the UEs RRM and CSI measurements), the network will inform the UE upon switching to Idle/Inactive to use a reduced number of RX chains for RRM measurements when it switches to Idle/Inactive RRC mode.).
Regarding claim 3, Pedersen discloses wherein determining the first RRM measurement parameter corresponding to the number of receiving antennas in the terminal device comprises (Page 20, lines 14-17: For a RRC connect mode UE in good coverage conditions (the network is aware from the UEs RRM and CSI measurements), the network will inform the UE upon switching to Idle/Inactive to use a reduced number of RX chains for RRM measurements when it switches to Idle/Inactive RRC mode.);
determining that an RRM low mobility criterion measurement parameter is a first threshold in response to the number of receiving antennas in the terminal device being a first number (Page 20, lines 19-29: if the UE is subject to no/marginal mobility, the network may configure the UE to continue using reduced number of RX chains for a relatively long time period (time duration parameter X in the previous section).); or
determining that the RRM low mobility criterion measurement parameter is a second threshold in response to the number of receiving antennas in the terminal device being a second number (This feature is optional but not required due to the “or” language.);
wherein the first number is different from the second number (Page 20, lines 14-17: For a RRC connect mode UE in good coverage conditions (the network is aware from the UEs RRM and CSI measurements), the network will inform the UE upon switching to Idle/Inactive to use a reduced number of RX chains for RRM measurements when it switches to Idle/Inactive RRC mode.), and the first threshold is different from or same as the second threshold (Any number will be either the same as or different from than any other number.).
Regarding claim 4, Pedersen discloses wherein, the first threshold and the second threshold are one of: measurement duration thresholds; signal strength difference thresholds; or a measurement duration threshold and a signal strength difference threshold (Page 20, lines 19-29: if the UE is subject to no/marginal mobility, the network may configure the UE to continue using reduced number of RX chains for a relatively long time period (time duration parameter X in the previous section). The long period of time will be used for the RRM measurements.).
Regarding claim 5, Pedersen discloses wherein determining the first RRM measurement parameter corresponding to the number of receiving antennas in the terminal device comprises: determining that an RRM stationary criterion measurement parameter is a third threshold in response to the number of receiving antennas in the terminal device being a first number (Page 20, lines 19-29: if the UE is subject to no/marginal mobility, the network may configure the UE to continue using reduced number of RX chains for a relatively long time period (time duration parameter X in the previous section). The long period of time will be used for the RRM measurements. No mobility would mean the UE is stationary. Page 21, lines 21-24 based on various geolocation information, subscription information, history information, etc., the network may also know that certain UEs are stationary that therefore may be sufficient to always operate with a reduced number of RX chains while in idle/inactive mode.); or
determining that the RRM stationary criterion measurement parameter is a fourth threshold in response to the number of receiving antennas in the terminal device being a second number (This feature is optional but not required due to the “or” language.);
wherein the first number is different from the second number (Page 20, lines 14-17: For a RRC connect mode UE in good coverage conditions (the network is aware from the UEs RRM and CSI measurements), the network will inform the UE upon switching to Idle/Inactive to use a reduced number of RX chains for RRM measurements when it switches to Idle/Inactive RRC mode.), and the third threshold is different from or same as the fourth threshold (Any number will be either the same as or different from than any other number.).
Regarding claim 6, Pedersen discloses wherein, the third threshold and the fourth threshold are one of: measurement duration thresholds; signal strength difference thresholds; or a measurement duration threshold and a signal strength difference threshold (Page 20, lines 19-29: if the UE is subject to no/marginal mobility, the network may configure the UE to continue using reduced number of RX chains for a relatively long time period (time duration parameter X in the previous section). The long period of time will be used for the RRM measurements. Page 21, lines 13-14: if there is a high network load (i.e., lots of interference), the network may configure the UEs to use a higher number of Rx chains for RRM measurements while in idle/inactive mode. In this case, the signal strength in the signal to noise ratio will have changed to an unacceptable level.). .
Regarding claim 8, Pedersen discloses wherein, the fifth threshold and the sixth threshold are one of: signal strength thresholds; signal quality thresholds; or a signal strength threshold and a signal quality threshold (Page 20, lines 14-17: For a RRC connect mode UE in good coverage conditions (the network is aware from the UEs RRM and CSI measurements), the network will inform the UE upon switching to Idle/Inactive to use a reduced number of RX chains for RRM measurements when it switches to Idle/Inactive RRC mode.).
Regarding claim 9, Pedersen discloses wherein performing the RRM measurement based on the first RRM measurement parameter comprises: performing the RRM measurement based on the first RRM measurement parameter, wherein the terminal device is in a radio resource control (RRC) idle state (Page 20, lines 14-17: For a RRC connect mode UE in good coverage conditions (the network is aware from the UEs RRM and CSI measurements), the network will inform the UE upon switching to Idle/Inactive to use a reduced number of RX chains for RRM measurements when it switches to Idle/Inactive RRC mode.); or performing the RRM measurement based on the first RRM measurement parameter, wherein the terminal device is in an RRC inactive state (Page 20, lines 14-17: For a RRC connect mode UE in good coverage conditions (the network is aware from the UEs RRM and CSI measurements), the network will inform the UE upon switching to Idle/Inactive to use a reduced number of RX chains for RRM measurements when it switches to Idle/Inactive RRC mode.).
Regarding claim 10, Pedersen discloses a radio resource management (RRM) measurement method (Page 15: lines 3-4: For RRC idle and inactive mode (where the UE does not have ongoing data transmissions), the primary task of the UE modem will be to conduct radio resource management (RRM) measurements (i.e., RX operations) and monitor for network related signaling. The measurements are used for managing cell reselections and mobility.), comprising:
sending indication information, wherein the indication information is configured to indicate a correspondence between a number of antennas and an RRM measurement parameter (Page 20, lines 14-17: For a RRC connect mode UE in good coverage conditions (the network is aware from the UEs RRM and CSI measurements), the network will inform the UE upon switching to Idle/Inactive to use a reduced number of RX chains for RRM measurements when it switches to Idle/Inactive RRC mode. Page 17: lines 13-14: The transceivers may comprise receive/transmit chains. The terms receive chain and transit chain may be substituted by antennas, antenna panels, branches or antenna groups.);
wherein the RRM measurement parameter includes an RRM non-cell edge criterion measurement parameter (Page 20, lines 10-12: For a RRC connect mode UE at cell edge in a rural network (the network is aware from the UEs RRM and CSI measurements), the network will inform the UE to continue using all RX chains for RRM measurements when it switches to Idle/Inactive RRC mode. Page 20, lines 14-17: For a RRC connect mode UE in good coverage conditions (the network is aware from the UEs RRM and CSI measurements), the network will inform the UE upon switching to Idle/Inactive to use a reduced number of RX chains for RRM measurements when it switches to Idle/Inactive RRC mode.);
wherein the correspondence between the number of antennas and the RRM non- cell edge criterion measurement parameter comprises:
a fifth threshold corresponding to a first number of antennas, and a sixth threshold corresponding to a second number of antennas; such that a terminal device with the first number of receiving antennas is determined to be in a non-cell-edge state in case a received signal strength or quality of the terminal device exceeds the fifth threshold (Page 20, lines 14-17: For a RRC connect mode UE in good coverage conditions (the network is aware from the UEs RRM and CSI measurements), the network will inform the UE upon switching to Idle/Inactive to use a reduced number of RX chains for RRM measurements when it switches to Idle/Inactive RRC mode. Page 20, lines 31-35: For a RRC connect mode UE the network may configure the UE with RRC idle mode configuration that contains triggers for allowing the UE to activate and deactivate the number of receive chains. That is, if radio communications are above a certain threshold, the UE is allowed to reduce the number of active receiver chains, while if conditions are below the threshold, the UE is supposed to use all antennas. The conditions such as determined from the CSI (quality) measurements which correspond to the present number of antennas is used to determine if the UE is in a good coverage area or at a cell edge in a rural area as well as to determine of the number of antennas is reduced. For example, if the CSI is at or above the threshold that indicates the UE is in a good coverage area, then the antennas are reduced for the next RRM measurements.), and
a terminal device with the second number of receiving antennas is determined to be in a non-cell-edge position in case a received signal strength or quality of the terminal device exceeds the sixth threshold (Page 20, lines 10-12: For a RRC connect mode UE at cell edge in a rural network (the network is aware from the UEs RRM and CSI measurements), the network will inform the UE to continue using all RX chains for RRM measurements when it switches to Idle/Inactive RRC mode. Page 20, lines 31-35: For a RRC connect mode UE the network may configure the UE with RRC idle mode configuration that contains triggers for allowing the UE to activate and deactivate the number of receive chains. That is, if radio communications are above a certain threshold, the UE is allowed to reduce the number of active receiver chains, while if conditions are below the threshold, the UE is supposed to use all antennas. The conditions such as determined from the CSI (quality) measurements which correspond to the present number of antennas is used to determine if the UE is in a good coverage area or at a cell edge in a rural area as well as to determine of the number of antennas is reduced. For example, if the CSI is at or above the threshold that indicates the UE is not in a cell edge in a rural network, then the antennas are maintained for the next RRM measurements. Page 20, lines 4-8: UEs in cell-edge conditions should operate with all 4-RX chains.);
wherein the first number is different from the second number (Page 20, lines 14-17: For a RRC connect mode UE in good coverage conditions (the network is aware from the UEs RRM and CSI measurements), the network will inform the UE upon switching to Idle/Inactive to use a reduced number of RX chains for RRM measurements when it switches to Idle/Inactive RRC mode.), and the fifth threshold is different from or same as the sixth threshold (Any number will be either the same as or different from than any other number.).
Regarding claims 11-15 and 17, Pedersen discloses sending indication information. The data content of the information that is sent does not require a step to be performed and therefore does not limit the claims in terms of scope.
Regarding claim 35, Pedersen discloses a communication apparatus, comprising: a processor; and a memory storing a computer program executable by the processor (Claim 15: an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory.), wherein the processor is configured to:
determine a first RRM measurement parameter corresponding to a number of receiving antennas in a terminal device based on a correspondence between a number of antennas and an RRM measurement parameter (Page 20, lines 14-17: For a RRC connect mode UE in good coverage conditions (the network is aware from the UEs RRM and CSI measurements), the network will inform the UE upon switching to Idle/Inactive to use a reduced number of RX chains for RRM measurements when it switches to Idle/Inactive RRC mode. Page 17: lines 13-14: The transceivers may comprise receive/transmit chains. The terms receive chain and transit chain may be substituted by antennas, antenna panels, branches or antenna groups.); and
perform an RRM measurement based on the first RRM measurement parameter (Page 20, lines 14-17: For a RRC connect mode UE in good coverage conditions (the network is aware from the UEs RRM and CSI measurements), the network will inform the UE upon switching to Idle/Inactive to use a reduced number of RX chains for RRM measurements when it switches to Idle/Inactive RRC mode.);
wherein the RRM measurement parameter includes an RRM non-cell edge criterion measurement parameter (Page 20, lines 10-12: For a RRC connect mode UE at cell edge in a rural network (the network is aware from the UEs RRM and CSI measurements), the network will inform the UE to continue using all RX chains for RRM measurements when it switches to Idle/Inactive RRC mode. Page 20, lines 14-17: For a RRC connect mode UE in good coverage conditions (the network is aware from the UEs RRM and CSI measurements), the network will inform the UE upon switching to Idle/Inactive to use a reduced number of RX chains for RRM measurements when it switches to Idle/Inactive RRC mode.);
wherein determining the first RRM measurement parameter corresponding to the number of receiving antennas in the terminal device comprises:
determine that the RRM non-cell edge criterion measurement parameter is a fifth threshold in response to the number of receiving antennas in the terminal device being a first number; such that the terminal device with the first number of receiving antennas is determined to be in a non-cell-edge state in case a received signal strength or quality of the terminal device exceeds the fifth threshold (Page 20, lines 14-17: For a RRC connect mode UE in good coverage conditions (the network is aware from the UEs RRM and CSI measurements), the network will inform the UE upon switching to Idle/Inactive to use a reduced number of RX chains for RRM measurements when it switches to Idle/Inactive RRC mode. Page 20, lines 31-35: For a RRC connect mode UE the network may configure the UE with RRC idle mode configuration that contains triggers for allowing the UE to activate and deactivate the number of receive chains. That is, if radio communications are above a certain threshold, the UE is allowed to reduce the number of active receiver chains, while if conditions are below the threshold, the UE is supposed to use all antennas. The conditions such as determined from the CSI (quality) measurements which correspond to the present number of antennas is used to determine if the UE is in a good coverage area or at a cell edge in a rural area as well as to determine of the number of antennas is reduced. For example, if the CSI is at or above the threshold that indicates the UE is in a good coverage area, then the antennas are reduced for the next RRM measurements.); or
determine that the RRM non-cell edge criterion measurement parameter is a sixth threshold in response to the number of receiving antennas in the terminal device being a second number; such that the terminal device with the second number of receiving antennas is determined to be in a non-cell-edge position in case a received signal strength or quality of the terminal device exceeds the sixth threshold (Page 20, lines 10-12: For a RRC connect mode UE at cell edge in a rural network (the network is aware from the UEs RRM and CSI measurements), the network will inform the UE to continue using all RX chains for RRM measurements when it switches to Idle/Inactive RRC mode. Page 20, lines 31-35: For a RRC connect mode UE the network may configure the UE with RRC idle mode configuration that contains triggers for allowing the UE to activate and deactivate the number of receive chains. That is, if radio communications are above a certain threshold, the UE is allowed to reduce the number of active receiver chains, while if conditions are below the threshold, the UE is supposed to use all antennas. The conditions such as determined from the CSI (quality) measurements which correspond to the present number of antennas is used to determine if the UE is in a good coverage area or at a cell edge in a rural area as well as to determine of the number of antennas is reduced. For example, if the CSI is at or above the threshold that indicates the UE is not in a cell edge in a rural network, then the antennas are maintained for the next RRM measurements. Page 20, lines 4-8: UEs in cell-edge conditions should operate with all 4-RX chains.);
wherein the first number is different from the second number (Page 20, lines 14-17: For a RRC connect mode UE in good coverage conditions (the network is aware from the UEs RRM and CSI measurements), the network will inform the UE upon switching to Idle/Inactive to use a reduced number of RX chains for RRM measurements when it switches to Idle/Inactive RRC mode.), and the fifth threshold is different from or same as the sixth threshold (Any number will be either the same as or different from than any other number.).
Regarding claim 36, Pedersen further discloses a communication apparatus, comprising: a processor; and a memory storing a computer program executable by the processor to perform the method of claim 10 (Claim 15: an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory.).
Regarding claim 40, Pedersen discloses a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium for storing instructions, wherein, when the instructions are executed, the method of claim 1 is implemented (Claim 15: an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory.).
Conclusion
5. The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. The previously stated combination of Ma et al (US 12,177,780) in view of Tseng et al (US 2020/0314868) discloses the features of the amended claims.
Ma discloses a first set of communication parameters comprising a first RRM measurement parameter and a first number of receive antennas and a second set of communication parameters comprising a second RRM measurement parameter and a second number of receive antennas as stated in claim 1. Claim 1 describes two operational modes, each mode using one set of parameters, which include a RRM measurement parameter and the number of receive antennas. Since these sets of communication parameters comprise both the RRM measurement parameter and the number of receive antennas, the RRM parameter and the number of receive antennas correspond or have a close connection, to one another.
Tseng discloses an electronic device including processing circuitry and a method for radio resource management (RRM) measurements as stated in the abstract. The device is in one of a first state and a second state for RRM measurements. A normal level of RRM measurements is implemented for one or more neighboring cells when the electronic device is in the first state, and a relaxed level of RRM measurements is implemented for the one or more neighboring cells when the electronic device is in the second state (abstract). Mobility and/or location of an electronic device is determined as shown in step S210 of figure 2. Tseng discloses the processing circuitry can determine that the location is the first location when the signal strength is larger than a threshold (paragraph 0007). This is also described in paragraph 0010. Figure 2 shows switching the current state to a next state based on the mobility and/or location.
The combination discloses a first set of communication parameters comprising a RRM measurement parameter and a number of receive antennas (Ma: Claim 1 describes two operational modes, each mode using one set of parameters, which include a RRM measurement parameter and the number of receive antennas.) and performing an RRM measurement based on the RRM measurement parameter (Ma: Claim 1 describes two operational modes, each mode using one set of parameters, which include a RRM measurement parameter and the number of receive antennas. Column 12, lines 19-21: the UE can be configured to perform an RRM measurement for one or multiple neighbor cells up to the maximum capability of the UE 110.). The combination further discloses an electronic device is in one of a first state or a second state for RRM measurements (Tseng: abstract). The combination discloses a current state is determined prior to determining a mobility and/or location (Tseng: figure 2: step S210). The states are determined based on communication parameters which comprise the number of receive antennas (Ma: claim 1). The combination discloses the mobility and/or location determination is based on the current state, and therefore determined based on the number of receive antennas as stated above, and the electronic device comprises processing circuitry which can determine that the location is the first location when the signal strength is larger than a threshold l1 (Tseng: paragraph 0007).
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/KEVIN M BURD/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2632 1/27/2026