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 .
This action is in response to the amendment filed by Applicant on 06/30/2026. This action is made FINAL.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 06/30/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
The Applicant states that “Claim 1, as amended, relates to measuring DL PRS based on the priority of DL PRS within a DL PRS Window (DL PPW). This includes an operation in which, when the priority of DL PRS is higher than other DL channels/signals, the UE measures DL PRS within the DL PPW outside the measurement gap (MG). More specifically, claim 1 recites the explicit stipulation of the condition that, within the configured DL PPW, if there is no overlap with the SSB-which is the highest-priority signal for synchronization-the UE is capable of receiving/measuring DL PRS (which has higher priority than other DL signals) even outside the measurement gap. In other words, when a measurement gap is configured, communication is suspended for that duration, resulting in reduced throughput. Accordingly, claim 1 specifically addresses how to resolve overlapping issues with other signals in cases where the UE
can process (receive/measure) DL PRS without a measurement gap (i.e., outside the measurement gap), depending on the UE capability.” However, claim 1 does not state at least the underlined language above. It is respectfully requested that the Applicant indicates which specific claim limitations correspond to the argued features as indicated by the underlined language. Therefore, the prior art of record still reads upon the claim language as amended.
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.
Claims 1-16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Manolakos et al (Publication number: US 2021/0328737) in view of Manolakos et al’ (Publication number: US 2021/0105781).
Consider Claim 1, Manolakos et al shows a method performed by a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system (see figures 4B, and 5), the method comprising:
(a) A receiving, from a base station, configuration information for a downlink (DL) positioning reference signal, wherein the configuration information further includes priority information indicating priority between a DL PRS and at least one of other downlink signals or downlink channels (PRS) processing window (DL PPW) (see paragraphs 141-143; and figures 11-12); (At 1210, the UE receives at least one PRS resource from a reference TRP and one or more neighboring TRPs).
(b) Identifying a DL PRS is and at least one of another downlink signal or downlink channel, based on the configuration information, wherein the DL PRS does not overlap with any symbol for a synchronization signal block (SSB) (see figure 6; and paragraph 122-124); (Each block illustrated in FIG. 6 represents a duration of symbols during which the UE expects to receive the PRS from the respective cell. This may also be referred to as the expected PRS symbol occupancy within the slot 610. For the reference cell, the UE expects to receive PRS from that cell during block 612. Because of the uncertainty of when the UE may receive PRS from a neighboring cell, the PRS from the neighboring cell are illustrated as two different blocks, with block 614 representing the earliest time period the UE expects to receive the PRS from the neighboring cell and block 616 representing the latest time period the UE expects to receive the PRS from the neighboring cell).
(c) Transmitting, to the base station, a report related to the measurement (see paragraphs 139-141).
However, Manolakos et al does not specifically show identifying whether a priority of a DL PRS is higher than a priority of at least one of another downlink signal or downlink channel, and measuring the DL PRS within the DL PPW, in case that the priority of the DL PRS is higher than the priority of at least one of the other downlink signal or the downlink channel.
In the same field of endeavor, Manolakos et al’ shows identifying whether a priority of a DL PRS is higher than a priority of at least one of another downlink signal or downlink channel, and measuring the DL PRS within the DL PPW, in case that the priority of the DL PRS is higher than the priority of at least one of the other downlink signal or the downlink channel (see figures 5 and 6; and paragraphs 117-121); (the UE may be configured with a larger number of CSI-RS resources and PRS resources than the reported capability. In that case, the applicable standard may specify that the UE is not expected to meet the performance requirements (e.g., as specified by the location server, an application running on the UE requesting a position fix) for PRS and/or CSI-RS. For example, the UE may drop (i.e., omit the processing of) PRS resources to meet the maximum number of CSI-RS and PRS resources the UE is capable of processing per unit of time. The UE may drop PRS resources because, generally, CSI-RS are of higher priority than PRS).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the application to incorporate the teaching of Manolakos et al’ into the teaching of Manolakos et al in order to enhance signaling efficiencies (see Manolakos et al; paragraphs 3-4).
Consider Claim 5, Manolakos et al shows a method performed by a base station in a wireless communication system (see figures 4B, and 5), the method comprising:
(a) Transmitting, to a user equipment (UE), configuration information for a downlink (DL) positioning reference signal (PRS) processing window (DL PPW) , wherein the configuration information further includes priority information indicating priority between a DL PRS and at least one of other downlink signals or downlink channels (PRS) processing window (DL PPW) (see paragraphs 141-143; and figures 11-12); (At 1210, the UE receives at least one PRS resource from a reference TRP and one or more neighboring TRPs).
(b) Receiving, from the UE, a report related to a measurement of the DL PRS (see paragraphs 139-141).
(c) Wherein the measurement of the DL PRS is within the DL PPW and is based on the configuration information, wherein the DL PRS does not overlap with any symbol for a synchronization signal block (SSB) (see figure 6; and paragraph 122-124); (Each block illustrated in FIG. 6 represents a duration of symbols during which the UE expects to receive the PRS from the respective cell. This may also be referred to as the expected PRS symbol occupancy within the slot 610. For the reference cell, the UE expects to receive PRS from that cell during block 612. Because of the uncertainty of when the UE may receive PRS from a neighboring cell, the PRS from the neighboring cell are illustrated as two different blocks, with block 614 representing the earliest time period the UE expects to receive the PRS from the neighboring cell and block 616 representing the latest time period the UE expects to receive the PRS from the neighboring cell).
However, Manolakos et al does not specifically show a priority of the DL PRS is higher than a priority of at least one of another downlink signal or downlink channel.
In the same field of endeavor, Manolakos et al’ shows a priority of the DL PRS is higher than a priority of at least one of another downlink signal or downlink channel (see figures 5 and 6; and paragraphs 117-121); (the UE may be configured with a larger number of CSI-RS resources and PRS resources than the reported capability. In that case, the applicable standard may specify that the UE is not expected to meet the performance requirements (e.g., as specified by the location server, an application running on the UE requesting a position fix) for PRS and/or CSI-RS. For example, the UE may drop (i.e., omit the processing of) PRS resources to meet the maximum number of CSI-RS and PRS resources the UE is capable of processing per unit of time. The UE may drop PRS resources because, generally, CSI-RS are of higher priority than PRS).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the application to incorporate the teaching of Manolakos et al’ into the teaching of Manolakos et al in order to enhance signaling efficiencies (see Manolakos et al; paragraphs 3-4).
Consider Claim 9, Manolakos et al shows a user equipment (UE) in wireless communication system (see figures 4B, and 5), the UE comprising:
(a) A transceiver; and at least one processor coupled with the transceiver and configured to: receive, from a base station, configuration information for a downlink (DL) positioning reference signal (PRS) processing window (DL PPW) , wherein the configuration information further includes priority information indicating priority between a DL PRS and at least one of other downlink signals or downlink channels (PRS) processing window (DL PPW) (see paragraphs 141-143; and figures 11-12); (At 1210, the UE receives at least one PRS resource from a reference TRP and one or more neighboring TRPs).
(b) Identifying a DL PRS is and at least one of another downlink signal or downlink channel, based on the configuration information, wherein the DL PRS does not overlap with any symbol for a synchronization signal block (SSB) (see figure 6; and paragraph 122-124); (Each block illustrated in FIG. 6 represents a duration of symbols during which the UE expects to receive the PRS from the respective cell. This may also be referred to as the expected PRS symbol occupancy within the slot 610. For the reference cell, the UE expects to receive PRS from that cell during block 612. Because of the uncertainty of when the UE may receive PRS from a neighboring cell, the PRS from the neighboring cell are illustrated as two different blocks, with block 614 representing the earliest time period the UE expects to receive the PRS from the neighboring cell and block 616 representing the latest time period the UE expects to receive the PRS from the neighboring cell).
(c) Transmitting, to the base station, a report related to the measurement (see paragraphs 139-141).
However, Manolakos et al does not specifically show identifying whether a priority of a DL PRS is higher than a priority of at least one of another downlink signal or downlink channel measuring the DL PRS within the DL PPW, in case that the priority of the DL PRS is higher than the priority of at least one of the other downlink signal or the downlink channel.
In the same field of endeavor, Manolakos et al’ shows measuring the DL PRS within the DL PPW, in case that the priority of the DL PRS is higher than the priority of at least one of the other downlink signal or the downlink channel (see figures 5 and 6; and paragraphs 117-121); (the UE may be configured with a larger number of CSI-RS resources and PRS resources than the reported capability. In that case, the applicable standard may specify that the UE is not expected to meet the performance requirements (e.g., as specified by the location server, an application running on the UE requesting a position fix) for PRS and/or CSI-RS. For example, the UE may drop (i.e., omit the processing of) PRS resources to meet the maximum number of CSI-RS and PRS resources the UE is capable of processing per unit of time. The UE may drop PRS resources because, generally, CSI-RS are of higher priority than PRS).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the application to incorporate the teaching of Manolakos et al’ into the teaching of Manolakos et al in order to enhance signaling efficiencies (see Manolakos et al; paragraphs 3-4).
Consider Claim 13, Manolakos et al shows a base station in wireless communication system, the base station (see figures 4B, and 5), comprising:
(a) A transceiver; and at least one processor coupled with the transceiver and configured to: transmit, to a user equipment (UE), configuration information for a downlink (DL) positioning reference signal (PRS) processing window (DL PPW) , wherein the configuration information further includes priority information indicating priority between a DL PRS and at least one of other downlink signals or downlink channels (PRS) processing window (DL PPW) (see paragraphs 141-143; and figures 11-12); (At 1210, the UE receives at least one PRS resource from a reference TRP and one or more neighboring TRPs).
(b) Receive, from the UE, a report related to a measurement of the DL PRS (see paragraphs 139-141).
(c) Wherein the measurement of the DL PRS is within the DL PPW and is based on the configuration information, wherein the DL PRS does not overlap with any symbol for a synchronization signal block (SSB) (see figure 6; and paragraph 122-124); (Each block illustrated in FIG. 6 represents a duration of symbols during which the UE expects to receive the PRS from the respective cell. This may also be referred to as the expected PRS symbol occupancy within the slot 610. For the reference cell, the UE expects to receive PRS from that cell during block 612. Because of the uncertainty of when the UE may receive PRS from a neighboring cell, the PRS from the neighboring cell are illustrated as two different blocks, with block 614 representing the earliest time period the UE expects to receive the PRS from the neighboring cell and block 616 representing the latest time period the UE expects to receive the PRS from the neighboring cell).
However, Manolakos et al does not specifically show a priority of the DL PRS is higher than a priority of at least one of another downlink signal or downlink channel.
In the same field of endeavor, Manolakos et al’ shows a priority of the DL PRS is higher than a priority of at least one of another downlink signal or downlink channel (see figures 5 and 6; and paragraphs 117-121); (the UE may be configured with a larger number of CSI-RS resources and PRS resources than the reported capability. In that case, the applicable standard may specify that the UE is not expected to meet the performance requirements (e.g., as specified by the location server, an application running on the UE requesting a position fix) for PRS and/or CSI-RS. For example, the UE may drop (i.e., omit the processing of) PRS resources to meet the maximum number of CSI-RS and PRS resources the UE is capable of processing per unit of time. The UE may drop PRS resources because, generally, CSI-RS are of higher priority than PRS).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the application to incorporate the teaching of Manolakos et al’ into the teaching of Manolakos et al in order to enhance signaling efficiencies (see Manolakos et al; paragraphs 3-4).
Consider Claims 2, 6, 10, and 14, Manolakos et al’ shows that the priority of the DL PRS is subject to a UE capability, or wherein the priority of the DL PRS is implied by the UE capability (see paragraphs 120-122; and figure 6); (At 610, the UE transmits capability information indicating a maximum number of downlink resources for both PRS resources and downlink resources for one or more second downlink channels or signals that the UE is capable of processing (or, is configured to process) per unit of time).
Consider Claims 3, 7, 11, and 15, Manolakos et al shows a bandwidth part (BWP) switching is not occurred within the DL PPW (see figures 4A-4B; and paragraphs 105-107); (the channel bandwidth, or system bandwidth, is divided into multiple BWPs. A BWP is a contiguous set of PRBs selected from a contiguous subset of the common RBs for a given numerology on a given carrier. Generally, a maximum of four BWPs can be specified in the downlink and uplink. That is, a UE can be configured with up to four BWPs on the downlink, and up to four BWPs on the uplink. Only one BWP (uplink or downlink) may be active at a given time, meaning the UE may only receive or transmit over one BWP at a time).
Consider Claims 4, 8, 12, and 16, Manolakos et al shows that the DL PRS is measured outside a measurement gap and within the DL PPW (see paragraphs 111-112).
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. 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.
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/MICHAEL A FARAGALLA/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2624 09/19/2026
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