DETAILED ACTION
This office action is in response to the application filed on 3/19/2024 in which claims 57-76 are pending.
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 .
Claim Interpretation
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(f):
(f) Element in Claim for a Combination. – An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
The claims in this application are given their broadest reasonable interpretation using the plain meaning of the claim language in light of the specification as it would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The broadest reasonable interpretation of a claim element (also commonly referred to as a claim limitation) is limited by the description in the specification when 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is invoked.
As explained in MPEP § 2181, subsection I, claim limitations that meet the following three-prong test will be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
(A) the claim limitation uses the term “means” or “step” or a term used as a substitute for “means” that is a generic placeholder (also called a nonce term or a non-structural term having no specific structural meaning) for performing the claimed function;
(B) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is modified by functional language, typically, but not always linked by the transition word “for” (e.g., “means for”) or another linking word or phrase, such as “configured to” or “so that”; and
(C) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is not modified by sufficient structure, material, or acts for performing the claimed function.
Use of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim with functional language creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites sufficient structure, material, or acts to entirely perform the recited function.
Absence of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is not to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is not interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites function without reciting sufficient structure, material or acts to entirely perform the recited function.
Claim limitations in this application that use the word “means” (or “step”) are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action. Conversely, claim limitations in this application that do not use the word “means” (or “step”) are not being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action.
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)(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.
Claim(s) 57, 68, 69, and 76 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Wang et al. (US20200351821A1).
As to claims 57 and 69, Wang teaches an apparatus comprising means for:
broadcasting, by a network node, a discontinuous reception (DRX) switch message indicating a user equipment (UE) is to switch from a first DRX cycle to a second DRX cycle; and ([0124] At block 906, the network device may send the configured DRX cycle value to the UE and a radio access network (RAN). [0125] In an aspect, if the UE is capable of receiving the PWS signal and desires to receive the PWS signal within a duration, the configured DRX cycle value is a first DRX cycle value [0126] In a further aspect, if the UE is not capable of receiving the PWS signal or does not desire to receive the PWS signal within a duration, the configured DRX cycle value is a second DRX cycle value.)
determining, by the network node, whether to send a paging message to the UE using one of the first DRX cycle or the second DRX cycle. ([0123] At block 902, the network device may determine whether a user equipment (UE) is capable of receiving a public warning system (PWS) signal and whether the UE desires to receive the PWS signal within a duration (specific period of time). In an aspect, the determination may include receiving an indication of PWS-capability or non-PWS-capability from the UE. [0125] the UE is allowed to receive a paging signal based on a minimum one of the first DRX cycle value, a default DRX cycle value (default paging cycle), and a RAN configured DRX cycle value (RAN paging cycle). [0126] the sending of the configured DRX cycle value indicates to the UE that the UE: 1) is not allowed to receive the paging signal based on a minimum one of the second DRX cycle value, the default DRX cycle value, and the RAN configured DRX cycle value;)
As to claims 68 and 76, Wang teaches the apparatus of claim 57, further comprising means for communicating, to an AMF, that the UE has switched to the second DRX cycle. (Fig. 5 step 510 requested DRX sent to AMF from UE)
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) 58-60, 63, 64, 66, 67, 70-72, and 74-76 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Wang in view of Vutukuri et al. (US20160073344A1).
As to claims 58 and 70, Wang teaches the apparatus of claim 57, further comprising at least one of: determining, by the network node, that the network node is in a reduced resource state, or means for receiving, by the network node, an indication that the UE is configured to monitor the paging message using the second DRX cycle. ([0123] At block 902, the network device may determine whether a user equipment (UE) is capable of receiving a public warning system (PWS) signal and whether the UE desires to receive the PWS signal within a duration (specific period of time). In an aspect, the determination may include receiving an indication of PWS-capability or non-PWS-capability from the UE.)
But does not specifically teach:
determining, by the network node, that the network node is in a reduced resource state,
However Vutukuri teaches determining, by the network node, that the network node is in a reduced resource state, ([0028] In some implementations, an eNB may transmit a first DRX configuration, causing a UE to operate in a first DRX configuration mode. The eNB may determine a load change in an LTE-U SCell carrier. Based on the determining, the eNB may transmit a DRX Configuration Switch indication that indicates a switch to a second DRX configuration, causing the UE to operate in a second DRX configuration mode. [0031] For example, an eNB may tailor the current DRX configuration of a UE based on the load level of the LTE-U carrier. [0046] At step 240, the eNB 104 detects high load on the LTE-U SCell carrier. In such a case, the probability of getting access through the LTE-U SCell carrier is low. Thus, the latency of the downlink traffic may be high in this scenario because of the unavailability of the LTE-U SCell carrier. The eNB 104 therefore sends a DRX Configuration Switch indication to the LTE-U UE 102. The LTE-U UE 102 receives the DRX Configuration Switch indication and switches from the DRX configuration for low load to the DRX configuration for high load.)
It would not have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the DRX switching method of Wang with the method from Vutukuri in order to reduce power consumption or reduce latency.
As to claims 59 and 71, Wang in view of Vutukuri teaches the apparatus of claim 58, wherein the reduced resource comprises at least one of a resource unavailability to support a required coding or modulation rate for communication with the UE, the network having a limited amount of radio resources, and the network having limited backhaul resources. (Vutukuri ([0028] In some implementations, an eNB may transmit a first DRX configuration, causing a UE to operate in a first DRX configuration mode. The eNB may determine a load change in an LTE-U SCell carrier. Based on the determining, the eNB may transmit a DRX Configuration Switch indication that indicates a switch to a second DRX configuration, causing the UE to operate in a second DRX configuration mode. [0031] For example, an eNB may tailor the current DRX configuration of a UE based on the load level of the LTE-U carrier. [0046] At step 240, the eNB 104 detects high load on the LTE-U SCell carrier. In such a case, the probability of getting access through the LTE-U SCell carrier is low. Thus, the latency of the downlink traffic may be high in this scenario because of the unavailability of the LTE-U SCell carrier. The eNB 104 therefore sends a DRX Configuration Switch indication to the LTE-U UE 102. The LTE-U UE 102 receives the DRX Configuration Switch indication and switches from the DRX configuration for low load to the DRX configuration for high load.)
It would not have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the DRX switching method of Wang with the method from Vutukuri in order to reduce power consumption or reduce latency.
As to claims 60 and 72, Wang in view of Vutukuri teaches the apparatus of claim 58, wherein the network node is a radio access network (RAN) node or a mobility management function (AMF). (Wang [0086] Thereafter, at 510, the UE 502 may request a UE-specific DRX cycle by sending a registration request message (including the requested DRX cycle) to an access and mobility management function (AMF) entity 506.)
As to claims 63 and 74, Wang teaches the apparatus of claim 57, wherein the DRX switch message is a first DRX switch message, ([0124] At block 906, the network device may send the configured DRX cycle value to the UE and a radio access network (RAN). [0125] In an aspect, if the UE is capable of receiving the PWS signal and desires to receive the PWS signal within a duration, the configured DRX cycle value is a first DRX cycle value [0126] In a further aspect, if the UE is not capable of receiving the PWS signal or does not desire to receive the PWS signal within a duration, the configured DRX cycle value is a second DRX cycle value.)
But does not specifically teach:
the apparatus further comprising means for: determining, by the network node, that the network node is no longer in a reduced resource state; and broadcasting, by the network node, a second DRX switch message indicating the UE is to switch from the second DRX cycle to the first DRX cycle.
However Vutukuri teaches (Vutukuri ([0028] In some implementations, an eNB may transmit a first DRX configuration, causing a UE to operate in a first DRX configuration mode. The eNB may determine a load change in an LTE-U SCell carrier. Based on the determining, the eNB may transmit a DRX Configuration Switch indication that indicates a switch to a second DRX configuration, causing the UE to operate in a second DRX configuration mode. [0031] For example, an eNB may tailor the current DRX configuration of a UE based on the load level of the LTE-U carrier. [0045] At step 230, the eNB 104 detects low load on the unlicensed spectrum, i.e., the LTE-U SCell carrier. The eNB 104 may determine the load on the LTE-U SCell carrier based on one or more factors. These factors may include collision rates on the LTE-U SCell carrier, mean energy levels detected on the LTE-U SCell carrier, mean data rates achieved over the LTE-U SCell carrier, and medium occupancy factors. When the load on the LTE-U SCell carrier is low, the probability of getting access through the LTE-U SCell carrier is high. Thus, the latency requirement of the data traffic can be satisfied by using the DRX configuration for low load. The eNB 104 therefore sends a DRX Configuration Switch indication to the LTE-U UE 102. In some implementations, the DRX Configuration Switch indication may be transmitted in a MAC Control Element (CE). The LTE-U UE 102 receives the DRX Configuration Switch indication and switches from the DRX configuration for high load to the DRX configuration for low load.)
It would not have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the DRX switching method of Wang with the method from Vutukuri in order to reduce power consumption or reduce latency.
As to claims 64 and 75, Wang teaches the apparatus of claim 57, wherein the DRX switch message is a first DRX switch message, the apparatus further comprising means for: determining, by the network node, whether the UE has received one of the first DRX switch message or a second DRX switch message; determining, by the network node, whether the UE is monitoring the paging message using the first DRX cycle or the second DRX cycle; in response to determining the UE is using the second DRX cycle, the sending of the paging message to the UE uses the second DRX cycle; in response to determining the UE is using the first DRX cycle, the sending of the paging message to the UE uses the first DRX cycle; and (Wang [0123] At block 902, the network device may determine whether a user equipment (UE) is capable of receiving a public warning system (PWS) signal and whether the UE desires to receive the PWS signal within a duration (specific period of time). In an aspect, the determination may include receiving an indication of PWS-capability or non-PWS-capability from the UE. [0125] the UE is allowed to receive a paging signal based on a minimum one of the first DRX cycle value, a default DRX cycle value (default paging cycle), and a RAN configured DRX cycle value (RAN paging cycle). [0126] the sending of the configured DRX cycle value indicates to the UE that the UE: 1) is not allowed to receive the paging signal based on a minimum one of the second DRX cycle value, the default DRX cycle value, and the RAN configured DRX cycle value;)
But does not specifically teach:
rebroadcasting, by the network node, one of the first DRX switch message indicating the UE is to switch from the first DRX cycle to the second DRX cycle or the second DRX message indicating the UE is to switch from the second DRX cycle to the first DRX cycle.
However Vutukuri teaches rebroadcasting, by the network node, one of the first DRX switch message indicating the UE is to switch from the first DRX cycle to the second DRX cycle or the second DRX message indicating the UE is to switch from the second DRX cycle to the first DRX cycle.
[0045] At step 230, the eNB 104 detects low load on the unlicensed spectrum, i.e., the LTE-U SCell carrier. The eNB 104 may determine the load on the LTE-U SCell carrier based on one or more factors. These factors may include collision rates on the LTE-U SCell carrier, mean energy levels detected on the LTE-U SCell carrier, mean data rates achieved over the LTE-U SCell carrier, and medium occupancy factors. When the load on the LTE-U SCell carrier is low, the probability of getting access through the LTE-U SCell carrier is high. Thus, the latency requirement of the data traffic can be satisfied by using the DRX configuration for low load. The eNB 104 therefore sends a DRX Configuration Switch indication to the LTE-U UE 102. In some implementations, the DRX Configuration Switch indication may be transmitted in a MAC Control Element (CE). The LTE-U UE 102 receives the DRX Configuration Switch indication and switches from the DRX configuration for high load to the DRX configuration for low load.[0046] At step 240, the eNB 104 detects high load on the LTE-U SCell carrier. In such a case, the probability of getting access through the LTE-U SCell carrier is low. Thus, the latency of the downlink traffic may be high in this scenario because of the unavailability of the LTE-U SCell carrier. The eNB 104 therefore sends a DRX Configuration Switch indication to the LTE-U UE 102. The LTE-U UE 102 receives the DRX Configuration Switch indication and switches from the DRX configuration for low load to the DRX configuration for high load.)
It would not have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the DRX switching method of Wang with the method from Vutukuri in order to reduce power consumption or reduce latency.
As to claims 66 and 76, Wang teaches the apparatus of claim 57,
But does not specifically teach:
wherein the first DRX cycle and the second DRX cycle are preconfigured in the UE by the network node while the UE is in an RRC active state.
However Vutukuri teaches wherein the first DRX cycle and the second DRX cycle are preconfigured in the UE by the network node while the UE is in an RRC active state. ([0033] the LTE-U UEs may receive multiple DRX configurations during the initial connection setup stage, and each DRX configuration has an index.)
It would not have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the DRX switching method of Wang with the method from Vutukuri in order to reduce power consumption or reduce latency.
As to claims 67 and 76, Wang teaches the apparatus of claim 57,
But does not specifically teach:
wherein the UE is pre-configured to monitor the DRX switch message.
However Vutukuri teaches the UE is pre-configured to monitor the DRX switch message. ([0033] the LTE-U UEs may receive multiple DRX configurations during the initial connection setup stage, and each DRX configuration has an index.)
It would not have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the DRX switching method of Wang with the method from Vutukuri in order to reduce power consumption or reduce latency.
Claim(s) 65 and 76 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Wang.
As to claims 65 and 76, Wang teaches the apparatus of claim 57,
But does not specifically teach:
wherein the broadcasting of the first DRX switch message or the second DRX switch message comprises sending a message indicated as part of a system information update indication.
However Wang describes [0003] An ability of a user equipment (UE) to monitor paging (i.e., page monitoring or paging monitoring) facilitates the performance of various operations at the UE. For example, page monitoring allows the UE to learn of updates to system information (e.g., neighbor configuration, cell configuration, etc.), [0086] The SIB1 may include a default paging cycle (default_Paging_Cycle).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the effective filing date of the claimed invention to understand that the DRX cycle can be indicated in a SI update because Wang is shown sending the default DRX cycle in SIB1 in step 508 of fig. 5 in order to provide the UE with an opportunity to monitor paging messages.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 61, 62, and 73 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ELTON S WILLIAMS whose telephone number is (571)272-9933. The examiner can normally be reached 8-4 Mon-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, Gary Mui can be reached at (571) 270-1420. 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.
/Elton Williams/Examiner, Art Unit 2465