Detailed Action
The office action is in response to the communications filed on 05/29/2024 .
Notice of 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 .
Claims Status
Claims 1-40 are pending in this application.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 05/29/2024 is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
Prior Art Made of Record
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Wu et al. (Publication No. US 2024/0188030), the prior art disclosure relates to user equipment (UE)-based sidelink positioning; see ¶ 1. In specific, the first UE, which acts as a transmitting UE, transmits first positioning assistance data via its FR1 module to the second UE which acts as a receiving UE, wherein the first positioning assistance data is designed to announce or convey a configuration of sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS), which SL-PRS is transmitted to the second UE to enable the positioning-related measurements in the second; see figure 2 step 201 & ¶ 30. However, the prior art fails to disclose the above feature(s).
Luo et al. (Publication No. US 2022/0408514), the prior art disclosure relates to sidelink communication between communication terminals; see abstract. In specific, the UE 102 may receive a discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration assistant information (210), determine a DRX configuration scheme for a sidelink communication between the UE 102 and the UE 124 based on the DRX configuration assistant information (220), and perform a sidelink discontinuous reception of the sidelink communication according to the DRX configuration scheme (230); see figure 2 steps 210-230. However, the prior art fails to disclose the above feature(s).
Oteri et al. (Publication No. US 2026/0040265), the prior art disclosure relates to PRS reception during DRX for reduced capacity devices; see title. In specific, mechanisms for positioning procedures for reduced capacity devices, including systems, methods and mechanisms for group based reduced capacity (RedCap) positioning, for positioning configuration and RedCap discontinuous reception cycle (DRX), for positioning and RedCap synchronization signal block (SSB), and for RedCap positioning and half duplex frequency division duplexing (HD-FDD); see ¶ 139.
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.
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.
Claims 1-5, 10-12, 14, 18-21, 25, 27-28, 30, 34-37, and 40 are rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(2) as being anticipated by Bao et al (Publication US 2021/0410063, hereinafter “Bao”).
Regarding claims 1, 18, 34, and 40, Bao disclose a sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration for a positioning session at a first user equipment (UE), the method comprising:
receiving, at the first UE, an indication of the positioning session in which the first UE is to participate, wherein the first UE is to participate by sending and/or receiving SL-PRS via a sidelink (SL) communication link with a second UE (That the UE receives positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration information for receiving PRS information, the PRS can be SL-PRS; see ¶¶ 134/149.);
obtaining, with the first UE, the SL PRS DRX configuration for the positioning session (The UE receives DRX configuration which informs the UE how to measure the PRS (including SL-PRS) during DRX cycles; see ¶¶ 134/150.), wherein:
the SL PRS DRX configuration for the positioning session designates a plurality of DRX cycles during the positioning session, each DRX cycle having a respective ON duration and a respective OFF duration (The DRX information has cycle information on OFF and ON cycles; see ¶ 134.);
during each ON duration, the first UE is configured to monitor the SL communication link for positioning information, the positioning information comprising sidelink control information (SCI), the SL-PRS, or both (The UE performs PRS measurement on DRX ON cycles; see figure 9 element 920 & ¶ 135); and
during each OFF duration, the first UE is configured not to monitor the SL communication link for the positioning information (The UE does not monitor the PRS occasion when its fully in DRX OFF cycle; see figure 9 element 962 & ¶ 141.); and
monitoring the SL communication link for the positioning information with the first UE in accordance with the SL PRS DRX configuration (The UE uses the DRX configuration to perform SL PRX measurements; see ¶ 154.).
Regarding claims 2, 19, and 35, Bao discloses that the first UE of claims 1, 18, and 34 is configured to obtain the SL PRS DRX configuration for the positioning session comprises receiving the SL PRS DRX configuration in association with a resource pool for positioning (RP-P) (The UE receives DRX configuration which informs the UE how to measure the PRS (including SL-PRS) during DRX cycles; see ¶¶ 134/150. It is inherent that a resource associated with the communication.); and
the SL-PRS are communicated using resources of the RP-P (The UE uses the DRX configuration to perform SL PRX measurements; see ¶ 154.).
Regarding claims 3, 20, and 36, Bao discloses that the first UE of claims 1, 18, and 34 is configured to obtain the SL PRS DRX configuration for the positioning session comprises receiving the SL PRS DRX configuration in association with an SL PRS configuration (The UE receives DRX configuration which informs the UE how to measure the PRS [positioning session](including SL-PRS) during DRX cycles; see ¶¶ 134/150.).
Regarding claim 4, Bao discloses that the first UE of claim 1 is configured to obtain the SL PRS DRX configuration for the positioning session comprises receiving the SL PRS DRX configuration in association with the positioning session (The UE receives DRX configuration which informs the UE how to measure the PRS [positioning session](including SL-PRS) during DRX cycles; see ¶¶ 134/150.).
Regarding claims 5, 21, and 37, Bao discloses that the first UE of claims 1, 18, and 34 is configured to obtain the SL PRS DRX configuration for the positioning session comprises determining the SL PRS DRX configuration based on a mapping of the SL PRS DRX with (The UE may determine, or be statically and/or dynamically configured to determine, what subset of the DL-PRS occasion to measure; see ¶ 140.):
a frequency range used in the positioning session,
a frequency band used in the positioning session,
a licensed or unlicensed frequency spectrum used in the positioning session,
a positioning session ID of the positioning session, or
a positioning frequency layer (PFL) of the positioning session (The UE 500 may, for example, determine what DL-PRS resources to measure based on frequency layers of the resources; see ¶ 140.), or
a combination thereof.
Regarding claims 10 and 26, Bao discloses that the first UE of claims 1 and 18 is configured to the monitor the SL communication link for the positioning information with the first UE in accordance with the SL PRS DRX configuration occurs during a period of time (That the UE receives positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration information for receiving PRS information, the PRS can be SL-PRS; see ¶¶ 134/149. The UE receives DRX configuration which informs the UE how to measure the PRS (including SL-PRS) during DRX cycles; see ¶¶ 134/150.), and wherein the first UE further operates in accordance with a DRX for data during the period of time (The UE performs PRS measurement on DRX ON cycles based on the configuration information [data]; see figure 9 element 920 & ¶ 135).
Regarding claims 11 and 27, Bao discloses that the first UE of claims 1 and 18 is configured to not monitor the SL communication link for the positioning information during an ON duration of the DRX for data (A signal indicates to implement the active mode during a scheduled discontinuous reception mode ON time or to skip the scheduled discontinuous reception mode ON time; see ¶ 18.).
Regarding claims 12 and 28, Bao discloses that the first UE of claims 1 and 18 is configured to obtain the SL PRS DRX configuration for the positioning session comprises receiving the SL PRS DRX configuration from a location server, a base station, or the second UE (The server may be configured to provide PRS configuration information to the TRP 300 and/or to one or more UEs to schedule transmission of PRS for measurement by another UE; see ¶ 132.).
Regarding claims 14 and 30, Bao discloses that the first UE of claims 1 and 18 is configured to receive an indication of a period of time during which the SL PRS DRX configuration is to be used (That the UE receives positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration information for receiving PRS information, wherein the PRS can be SL-PRS, and wherein the configuration information enables to control DRX ON times and DRX OFF times; see ¶¶ 134/149.).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
The following is a quotation of AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent may not be obtained though the invention is not identically disclosed or described as set forth in section 102 of this title, if the differences between the subject matter sought to be patented and the prior art are such that the subject matter as a whole would have been obvious at the time the invention was made to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which said subject matter pertains. Patentability shall not be negatived by the manner in which the invention was made.
The factual inquiries set forth in Graham v. John Deere Co., 383 U.S. 1, 148 USPQ 459 (1966), that are applied for establishing a background for determining obviousness under AIA 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.
Claims 6-9, 15-17, 22-25, 31-33, and 38-39 are rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Bao et al (Publication US 2021/0410063, hereinafter “Bao”) in view of Goyal et al. (Publication No. US 2022/0295442, hereinafter referred as Goyal).
Regarding claims 6, 22, and 38, Bao discloses that the first UE of claims 1, 18, and 34 is configured to receive the SL PRS DRX configuration for the positioning session, but fails to explicitly disclose sending the SL-PRS via the SL communication link; and responsive to the sending of the SL-PRS, monitoring the SL communication link for a response to the SL-PRS, wherein the monitoring the SL communication link for the response to the SL-PRS is independent of the ON durations of the plurality of DRX cycles of the SL PRS DRX configuration. However, in analogous art, Goyal discloses that the WTRU [UE] is configured with one or more parameters for position measurement [SL PRS DRX], wherein the parameters include a list of DRX cycles for sidelink; see ¶ 207. Upon performing the configured position measurement, the WTRU may determine the available sidelink WTRUs that are able to satisfy the maximum positioning measurement reporting delay [independent of ON duration]; see ¶ 210. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Bao with the delay mechanism of Goyal in order to transit the report with the smallest delay possible.
Regarding claims 7 and 23, Bao discloses that the first UE of claims 1 and 18 is configured to receive the SL PRS DRX configuration for the positioning session, but fails to explicitly disclose PRS independent of the plurality of DRX cycles of the SL PRS DRX configuration is further based on: the SL-PRS having a priority above a threshold value (Note: This limitation is claimed in the alternative form. Therefore, not required as part of the broadest reasonable interpretation.), or
the response to the SL-PRS having a reservation procedure separate from the SL PRS DRX configuration, or
a combination thereof (Note: This limitation is claimed in the alternative form. Therefore, not required as part of the broadest reasonable interpretation.). However, in analogous art, Goyal discloses that the WTRU [UE] is configured with one or more parameters for position measurement [SL PRS DRX], wherein the parameters include a list of DRX cycles for sidelink; see ¶ 207. Upon performing the configured position measurement, the WTRU may determine the available sidelink WTRUs that are able to satisfy the maximum positioning measurement reporting delay [reservation procedure]; see ¶ 210. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Bao with the delay mechanism of Goyal in order to transit the report with the smallest delay possible.
Regarding claims 8 and 24, Bao discloses that the first UE of claims 1, 18, and 34 is configured to receive the SL PRS DRX configuration for the positioning session, but fails to explicitly disclose that the SL-PRS has a priority above a threshold value and the monitoring the SL communication link for the response to the SL-PRS occurs over a predetermined period of time, wherein the method further comprises refraining from transmitting any wireless signals by the first UE via the SL communication link during the predetermined period of time (Note: This limitation has not been considered as part of the broadest reasonable interpretation because is part of the alternative limitation not considered in the parent claim.).
Regarding claims 9 and 25, Bao discloses that the first UE of claims 1 and 18 is configured to receive the SL PRS DRX configuration for the positioning session, but fails to explicitly disclose sending the SL-PRS via the SL communication link; subsequent to the sending of the SL-PRS, receiving a response to the SL-PRS via the SL communication link during a first ON duration of the SL PRS DRX configuration; and discontinuing the monitoring the SL communication link for the response to the SL-PRS during one or more ON durations of the SL PRS DRX configuration subsequent to the first ON duration. However, in analogous art, Goyal discloses that the anchor WTRU [UE] is configured with one or more parameters for position measurement [SL PRS], and based on those parameters transmitting a PRS; see ¶ 148. The anchor WTRU may monitor for and/or receive measurement report(s) from target WTRU(s) (e.g., comprising measurement(s) associated with the transmitted reference signal(s); see ¶ 148. The anchor WTRU may terminate reference signal transmission, measurement result collection, and the group positioning reporting, e.g., if the number of transmissions given in the group positioning configurations are completed; see ¶ 148. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Bao with the termination mechanism of Goyal in order to save power when the measurement is completed.
Regarding claims 15 and 31, Bao discloses that the first UE of claims 1 and 18 is configured to receive the SL PRS DRX configuration for the positioning session, but fails to explicitly disclose prior to the monitoring the SL communication link for the positioning information with the first UE in accordance with the SL PRS DRX configuration, the first UE operates in accordance with a separate SL DRX configuration, and wherein the method further comprises operating the first UE in accordance with the separate SL DRX configuration after the period of time. However, in analogous art, Goyal discloses the anchor WTRU may transmit a PRS on the configured resources, and collect positioning measurement reports; see ¶ 7. If the change in the measurement value (e.g., relative to a previous measurement value) exceeds a second threshold, the anchor WTRU may send a re-configuration request to increase [new configuration] the rate of measurement and reporting to the positioning server; see ¶ 7. If the change in the measurement value (e.g., relative to a previous measurement value) is less than a third threshold over a certain (e.g., configured) number periods, the anchor WTRU may send a re-configuration request to decrease [restore previous configuration] the rate of measurements and reporting to the positioning server; see ¶ 7. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Bao with the termination mechanism of Goyal in order to save power when the measurement is completed.
Regarding claims 16 and 32, Bao discloses that the first UE of claims 1 and 18 is configured to receiving an indication of an adjustment of the SL PRS DRX configuration from the second UE via a Medium Access Control—Control Element (MAC CE); and
sending a response to the second UE based on: an indication of whether the adjustment is required or negotiable,
a location or distance of the first UE with respect to the second UE,
a SL DRX configuration of the first UE,
a Quality of Service (QoS) requirement of the first UE, or
a power savings requirement of the first UE, or
a combination thereof. However, in analogous art, Goyal discloses the anchor WTRU may transmit a PRS on the configured resources, and collect positioning measurement reports; see ¶ 7. If the change in the measurement value (e.g., relative to a previous measurement value) exceeds a second threshold, the anchor WTRU may send a re-configuration request to increase [new configuration] the rate of measurement and reporting to the positioning server; see ¶ 7. If the change in the measurement value (e.g., relative to a previous measurement value) is less than a third threshold over a certain (e.g., configured) number periods, the anchor WTRU may send a re-configuration request to decrease [restore previous configuration] the rate of measurements and reporting to the positioning server; see ¶ 7. Furthermore, the WTRU may be provided with a PRS transmission configuration that is activated/de-activated by lower layer control signaling (e.g. MAC-CE, DCI, etc.); see ¶ 114. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Bao with the termination mechanism of Goyal in order to save power when the measurement is completed.
Regarding claims 17 and 33, Bao discloses that the first UE of claims 1 and 18 is configured to determining an adjustment for the SL PRS DRX configuration; and sending an indication of the adjustment to the second UE via a MAC CE. However, in analogous art, Goyal discloses the anchor WTRU may transmit a PRS on the configured resources, and collect positioning measurement reports; see ¶ 7. If the change in the measurement value (e.g., relative to a previous measurement value) exceeds a second threshold, the anchor WTRU may send a re-configuration request to increase [new configuration] the rate of measurement and reporting to the positioning server; see ¶ 7. If the change in the measurement value (e.g., relative to a previous measurement value) is less than a third threshold over a certain (e.g., configured) number periods, the anchor WTRU may send a re-configuration request to decrease [restore previous configuration] the rate of measurements and reporting to the positioning server; see ¶ 7. Furthermore, the WTRU may be provided with a PRS transmission configuration that is activated/de-activated by lower layer control signaling (e.g. MAC-CE, DCI, etc.); see ¶ 114. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Bao with the termination mechanism of Goyal in order to save power when the measurement is completed.
Regarding claims 39, Bao discloses that the first UE of claims 1, 18, and 34 is configured to receive the SL PRS DRX configuration for the positioning session, but fails to explicitly disclose means for sending the SL-PRS via the SL communication link; and means for, responsive to the sending of the SL-PRS, monitoring the SL communication link for a response to the SL-PRS, wherein the monitoring the SL communication link for the response to the SL-PRS is independent of the ON durations of the plurality of DRX cycles of the SL PRS DRX configuration.. However, in analogous art, Goyal discloses that the WTRU [UE] is configured with one or more parameters for position measurement [SL PRS DRX], wherein the parameters include a list of DRX cycles for sidelink; see ¶ 207. Upon performing the configured position measurement, the WTRU may determine the available sidelink WTRUs that are able to satisfy the maximum positioning measurement reporting delay [independent of ON duration]; see ¶ 210. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Bao with the delay mechanism of Goyal in order to transit the report with the smallest delay possible.
Claims 13 and 29 are rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Bao et al (Publication US 2021/0410063, hereinafter “Bao”) in view of Manolakos et al. (Publication No. US 2021/0385766, hereinafter referred as Manolakos).
Regarding claims 13 and 29, Bao discloses that the first UE of claims 1 and 18 is configured to receive the SL PRS DRX configuration for the positioning session, but fails to explicitly disclose receiving a plurality of available SL PRS DRX configurations from the location server, the base station, or the second UE; and sending an indication of a preference of the plurality of available SL PRS DRX configurations to the location server, the base station, or the second UE. However, in analogous art, Manolakos discloses the network configure the UE to use one or more timing accuracies; see figure 4 step 420 ¶ 78. The UE select to support low/high timing accuracies, and sends the capability to support timing to the network; see figure 4 step 425 & ¶ 81. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Bao with the timing mechanism of Manolakos in order to enable performing measurements on the reference signal and deriving the position of the UE based on the timing accuracies; see abstract.
Conclusion
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/H.R/Examiner, Art Unit 2472
/KEVIN T BATES/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2472
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