DETAILED ACTION
This communication is in response to the claims filed on 06/12/2024.
Application No: 18/741,150
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
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 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.
Claim Objections
Claim 1 (and similarly other claims 2, 3, 9, 10, 11, 18, 19 and 20) is objected to because of the following informalities. Claim 1 is in a narrative form without listing exact steps required to perform the invention because the claim has multiple logical “OR” statements, which make claim very broad without determining which path is executing to product the invention. It is recommended to submit the claim with limiting use of multiple “OR” statements. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 3 (and similarly claim 12 ) is objected to because of the following informalities. Claim 3 has “at least one of” statement twice. Appropriate correction is required.
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 of this title, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
The factual inquiries 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 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 1-4, 8-13, and 17-20 are rejected under 35 U. S. C. 103 as being unpatentable over Xiong et al. US 20190261454 A1) in view of WeiChao et al. ( US 20230224886 A1).
Regarding claim 1, Xiong teaches resource conflict processing method ([0048], e.g. a system and method of wireless communication for a fifth generation (5G) or new radio (NR) system is described. A UE can determine a priority rule when radio resource control (RRC) configured physical channels and signals have a conflicting DL and UL direction in one or more symbols), comprising:
performing, by a terminal, a first operation in a case that a first resource for uplink transmission conflicts with a second resource for downlink reception ([0008], Fig. 5 depicts functionality of a user equipment (UE or a terminal) operable to handle radio resource control (RRC) configured physical channels or signals having a conflict direction in accordance with an example. [0059] Another example provides functionality 500 of a user equipment (UE) operable to handle radio resource control (RRC) configured physical channels or signals having a conflict direction, as shown in FIG. 5, … the UE performing an operation to determine, that an RRC configured DL physical channel or DL signal and an RRC configured UL physical channel or UL signal have a conflicting DL-UL direction in one or more symbols, as in block 520 (i.e. terminal performing an operation in a case that a first resource for uplink transmission conflicts with a second resource for downlink reception);
wherein that the first resource conflicts with the second resource comprises that:
a time interval between the first resource and the second resource is less than uplink and downlink switching time ([0043], e.g. In one example, a prioritization of the channels/signals with a periodicity less than 1 slot over channel/signal with a periodicity greater than or equal to 1 slot can be limited to the cases (i.e. a time interval between the first resource and the second resource is less than uplink and downlink switching time) when the channel/signal with periodicity less than 1 slot corresponds to one or more of: (i) Type 1 or Type 2 configured grant UL transmissions (configured grant PUSCH), (ii) SR transmission, and, (iii) PDCCH monitoring. In another example, a prioritization can be based on a configured periodicity that is applied, such that the periodic/semi-persistent channel/signal that has a higher periodicity can be prioritized over the one that is configured with a lower periodicity (i.e. a time interval between the first resource and the second resource is less than uplink and downlink switching time can be configured)),
wherein the uplink and downlink switching time comprises switching time for the terminal to switch from the downlink reception to the uplink transmission, and/or switching time for the terminal to switch from the uplink transmission to the downlink reception ([0030] In one example, given a short periodicity, e.g., in symbol level of DL and/or UL physical channels and/or signals, which are configured in a semi-static or semi-persistent manner by radio resource control (RRC) signaling or a combination of RRC and downlink control information (DCI), it can be difficult to avoid a conflicting direction by network scheduling. [0031] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a conflicting downlink (DL)/uplink (UL) direction for radio resource control (RRC) configured channels and signals. Depending on the periodicity, RRC configured physical channels/signals can have a conflicting DL and UL direction, e.g., in symbol #6 within a slot. In this case, certain mechanisms can be defined for UE behaviors on handling conflicting DL and UL direction for RRC configured DL and UL physical channels/signals (i.e. switching time for the terminal to switch from the downlink reception to the uplink transmission or vice versa is pre-defined and configured in the specification)).
Xiong teaches technology for a user equipment (UE) operable to communicate physical channels or signals based on an uplink-downlink (UL-DL) configuration. However Xiong differs from the claimed invention in not specifically and clearly describing wherein
the first operation comprises at least one of the following:
determining an overlapping resource of the first resource and the second resource as an invalid resource of the first resource and/or the second resource; determining a symbol corresponding to the uplink and downlink switching time in a target resource as an invalid resource, wherein the target resource comprises at least one of the first resource or the second resource; determining the uplink transmission and the downlink reception as incorrect network configuration or scheduling; skipping the uplink transmission; or determining a target time unit in which the uplink transmission occurs as an unavailable time unit, and determining a quantity of available time units based on the target time unit.
However, in the analogous field of endeavor, WeiChao teaches wherein
the first operation comprises at least one of the following:
determining an overlapping resource of the first resource and the second resource as an invalid resource of the first resource and/or the second resource;
determining a symbol corresponding to the uplink and downlink switching time in a target resource as an invalid resource, wherein the target resource comprises at least one of the first resource or the second resource; determining the uplink transmission and the downlink reception as incorrect network configuration or scheduling; skipping the uplink transmission; or determining a target time unit in which the uplink transmission occurs as an unavailable time unit, and determining a quantity of available time units based on the target time unit ([ 0008], e.g. Various aspects of the disclosure relate to configuring a gap for a UE, which may be used to accommodate for the receive-to-transmit (Rx-Tx) switching time. Implementations may occur in one or more of devices, systems, and methods. A gap (e.g., defined as N symbols) is configured for an HD-FDD Type A UE to avoid a timing-advanced uplink (UL) transmission overlapping with the reception of any preceding downlink transmission (i.e. an overlapping resource of the first resource and the second resource as an invalid resource). The gap can be used to reconfigure the scheduled downlink transmission. For example, if the ending symbol of a scheduled DL transmission is not at least N symbols before the start of a UL transmission in a slot following the DL transmission), the UE may assume the DL transmission overlapping with the gap is punctured (i.e. an invalid resource of the first resource and/or the second resource)).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to implement the method of WeiChao within the method of Xiong. The motivation to combine references is that the combined system provides that the HD-FDD UE operates in either transmit or receive mode, and does not operate in transmit and receive modes simultaneously. Another UE configuration is Full-Duplex Frequency Division Multiplexing (FD-FDD). In Full-Duplex operations the UE is capable of transmitting and receiving simultaneously. Full-Duplex capability may involve duplication of certain hardware resources, such as oscillators, switches, and antennas, to support simultaneous operations, which may increase the cost and complexity of the UE. Half-Duplex operation instead shares these hardware resources, which results in a switching time as the hardware is reconfigured from receive to transmit and transmit to receive (See WeiChao [0007]).
Regarding claim 2, Xiong in view of WeiChao teaches all the limitations of claim 1. WeiChao further teaches wherein before the determining a symbol corresponding to the uplink and downlink switching time in a target resource as an invalid resource, the method further comprises at least one of the following: determining, by the terminal, the target resource based on priorities of the first resource and the second resource;
determining, by the terminal, the target resource based on starting positions of the first resource and the second resource;
determining, by the terminal, the target resource based on network configuration or a network indication; or
determining, by the terminal, the target resource based on implementation of the terminal ([0085], Fig. 13, e.g. The first mobile device may be configured to puncture transmissions in the gap, such that the determination at block 1301 may indicate that there are resources available for re-use. That is, if the first mobile device is not going to receive and process a punctured portion of a transmission, then the resources in that punctured portion of the transmission are available to be reallocated for other purposes, such as transmission to another mobile device. At block 1302 those resources in the configured gap are reallocated for use by a second mobile device (i.e. determining, by the terminal, the target resource based on network configuration or a network indication)).
The motivation to combine reference of WeiChao within the method of Xiong before the effective filing date of the invention is that the new method provides that the wireless communication systems, and more particularly, to configuring and implementing a defined gap between downlink and uplink transmission for a half-duplex FDD (HD-FDD) Type A user equipment. Further the technology discussed in this paper can enable and provide improved radio frequency (RF) operations in Rx-to-Tx switching (See WeiChao [0001]).
Regarding claim 3, Xiong in view of WeiChao teaches all the limitations of claim 1. WeiChao further teaches wherein the uplink transmission comprises at least one of the following:
physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) repetition Type B transmission; PUSCH repetition Type A transmission ([0034] FIG. 16 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating Type A HD-FDD according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [0035] FIG. 17 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating Type B HD-FDD according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [0090] In Type A HD-FDD, a DL-to-UL guard period is created by the UE by not receiving the last part of a downlink (DL) subframe immediately preceding an uplink (UL) subframe from the same UE, and no UL-to-DL guard period is defined, but can be created by the eNB implementation by proper TA adjustment. [0091] In Type B HD-FDD, a DL-to-UL guard period is created by not requiring the UE to receive a DL subframe immediately preceding an UL subframe from the same UE, and an UL-to-DL guard period is created by not requiring the UE to receive a DL subframe immediately following an UL subframe from same UE. Type B operations may facilitate UE implementations with a single oscillator for Tx and Rx frequency generation by introducing a longer guard period for switching between uplink and downlink.);
at least one of initial transmission or retransmission of a message 3 (Msg3); PUSCH transmission of a message A (MsgA); transport block (TB) transmission over a multi-slot PUSCH; physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) transmission; or sounding reference signal (SRS) transmission ([0029], e.g. The SR resource with shorter periodicity can be configured to target low latency application, such as Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication (URLLC), in order to meet stringent latency specifications (i.e. initial transmission comprising sounding reference signal (SRS) transmission)).
The motivation to combine reference of WeiChao within the method of Xiong before the effective filing date of the invention is that the new method provides that the wireless communication systems, and more particularly, to configuring and implementing a defined gap between downlink and uplink transmission for a half-duplex FDD (HD-FDD) Type A user equipment. Further the technology discussed in this paper can enable and provide improved radio frequency (RF) operations in Rx-to-Tx switching (See WeiChao [0001]).
Regarding claim 4, Xiong in view of WeiChao teaches all the limitations of claim 1. WeiChao further teaches wherein the downlink reception comprises at least one of the following:
reception of a target synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel signal block (SSB) ; or reception of a target control resource set ([0010], e.g. the transport block size (TBS ) (e.g. TSB of SSB) associated with the DL and/or UL transmission may be scaled, such as by scaling proportional to the number of symbols determined to overlap the gap, the number of symbols punctured, and/or a scaling factor received from a higher layer. [0056, 0058] On the uplink, at UE 115, transmit processor 264 may receive and process data (e.g., for the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH)) from data source 262 and control information (e.g., for the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH)) from controller/processor 280 (i.e. the downlink reception comprises physical broadcast channel signal block (SSB)).
The motivation to combine reference of WeiChao within the method of Xiong before the effective filing date of the invention is that the new method provides that the wireless communication systems, and more particularly, to configuring and implementing a defined gap between downlink and uplink transmission for a half-duplex FDD (HD-FDD) Type A user equipment. Further the technology discussed in this paper can enable and provide improved radio frequency (RF) operations in Rx-to-Tx switching (See WeiChao [0001]).
Regarding claim 8, Xiong in view of WeiChao teaches all the limitations of claim 1. Xiong further teaches wherein before the performing, by a terminal, a first operation, the method further comprises: determining the first operation based on a type of the uplink transmission ([0028], e.g. Further, UE behavior when receiving conflicting information from cell specific and UE specific semi-static downlink and uplink (DL/UL) configuration and dynamic DL/UL configuration can be defined (i.e. determining the first operation based on a type of the uplink transmission definition). More specifically, a semi-static DL/UL direction may not be overwritten by the dynamic SFI, while flexible symbols in a semi-static DL/UL assignment can be overwritten by measurement, dynamic SFI, and UE specific data. In addition, semi-static measurement related reception and transmission can be overwritten by downlink control information (DCI) and dynamic SFI. In this case, the UE behavior can be the cancellation of measurement or measurement related transmission (i.e. the method further comprises: determining the first operation based on a type of the uplink transmission from configuration definition)).
Regarding claim 9, Xiong in view of WeiChao teaches all the limitations of claim 8. Xiong further teaches wherein the type of the uplink transmission comprises at least one of the following:
semi-static uplink transmission granted or configured through high layer signaling; uplink transmission scheduled by downlink control information (DCI); PUSCH transmission of a message A (MsgA); or PUSCH transmission of a message 3 ([0028], e.g. In addition, semi-static measurement related reception and transmission can be overwritten by downlink control information (DCI) and dynamic SFI. In this case, the UE behavior can be the cancellation of measurement or measurement related transmission (i.e. semi-static uplink transmission granted)).
Regarding claim 10, Xiong I teaches a terminal ([0048], e.g. a system and method of wireless communication for a fifth generation (5G) or new radio (NR) system is described. A UE (i.e. a terminal) can determine a priority rule when radio resource control (RRC) configured physical channels and signals have a conflicting DL and UL direction in one or more symbols), comprising
a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores a program or instructions executable on the processor, and the program or the instructions ([0059], e.g. The UE can comprise one or more processors configured to decode, at the UE, the RRC configured DL physical channel or DL signal received from the NR base station in accordance with the semi-static DL-UL assignment to resolve the conflicting DL-UL direction in the one or more symbols, as in block 540. In addition, the UE can comprise a memory interface configured to send to a memory the semi-static DL-UL assignment), when executed by the processor, cause the terminal to perform:
performing a first operation in a case that a first resource for uplink transmission conflicts with a second resource for downlink reception ([0008], Fig. 5 depicts functionality of a user equipment (UE or a terminal) operable to handle radio resource control (RRC) configured physical channels or signals having a conflict direction in accordance with an example. [0059] Another example provides functionality 500 of a user equipment (UE) operable to handle radio resource control (RRC) configured physical channels or signals having a conflict direction, as shown in FIG. 5, … the UE performing an operation to determine, that an RRC configured DL physical channel or DL signal and an RRC configured UL physical channel or UL signal have a conflicting DL-UL direction in one or more symbols, as in block 520 (i.e. terminal performing an operation in a case that a first resource for uplink transmission conflicts with a second resource for downlink reception);
wherein that the first resource conflicts with the second resource comprises that:
a time interval between the first resource and the second resource is less than uplink and downlink switching time ([0043], e.g. In one example, a prioritization of the channels/signals with a periodicity less than 1 slot over channel/signal with a periodicity greater than or equal to 1 slot can be limited to the cases (i.e. a time interval between the first resource and the second resource is less than uplink and downlink switching time) when the channel/signal with periodicity less than 1 slot corresponds to one or more of: (i) Type 1 or Type 2 configured grant UL transmissions (configured grant PUSCH), (ii) SR transmission, and, (iii) PDCCH monitoring. In another example, a prioritization can be based on a configured periodicity that is applied, such that the periodic/semi-persistent channel/signal that has a higher periodicity can be prioritized over the one that is configured with a lower periodicity (i.e. a time interval between the first resource and the second resource is less than uplink and downlink switching time can be configured)),
wherein the uplink and downlink switching time comprises switching time for the terminal to switch from the downlink reception to the uplink transmission, and/or switching time for the terminal to switch from the uplink transmission to the downlink reception ([0030] In one example, given a short periodicity, e.g., in symbol level of DL and/or UL physical channels and/or signals, which are configured in a semi-static or semi-persistent manner by radio resource control (RRC) signaling or a combination of RRC and downlink control information (DCI), it can be difficult to avoid a conflicting direction by network scheduling. [0031] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a conflicting downlink (DL)/uplink (UL) direction for radio resource control (RRC) configured channels and signals. Depending on the periodicity, RRC configured physical channels/signals can have a conflicting DL and UL direction, e.g., in symbol #6 within a slot. In this case, certain mechanisms can be defined for UE behaviors on handling conflicting DL and UL direction for RRC configured DL and UL physical channels/signals (i.e. switching time for the terminal to switch from the downlink reception to the uplink transmission or vice versa is pre-defined and configured in the specification)).
Xiong teaches technology for a user equipment (UE) operable to communicate physical channels or signals based on an uplink-downlink (UL-DL) configuration. However Xiong differs from the claimed invention in not specifically and clearly describing wherein
the first operation comprises at least one of the following: determining an overlapping resource of the first resource and the second resource as an invalid resource of the first resource and/or the second resource; determining a symbol corresponding to the uplink and downlink switching time in a target resource as an invalid resource, wherein the target resource comprises at least one of the first resource or the second resource; determining the uplink transmission and the downlink reception as incorrect network configuration or scheduling; skipping the uplink transmission; or determining a target time unit in which the uplink transmission occurs as an unavailable time unit, and determining a quantity of available time units based on the target time unit.
However, in the analogous field of endeavor, WeiChao teaches wherein
the first operation comprises at least one of the following: determining an overlapping resource of the first resource and the second resource as an invalid resource of the first resource and/or the second resource;
determining a symbol corresponding to the uplink and downlink switching time in a target resource as an invalid resource, wherein the target resource comprises at least one of the first resource or the second resource; determining the uplink transmission and the downlink reception as incorrect network configuration or scheduling; skipping the uplink transmission; or determining a target time unit in which the uplink transmission occurs as an unavailable time unit, and determining a quantity of available time units based on the target time unit ([ 0008], e.g. Various aspects of the disclosure relate to configuring a gap for a UE, which may be used to accommodate for the receive-to-transmit (Rx-Tx) switching time. Implementations may occur in one or more of devices, systems, and methods. A gap (e.g., defined as N symbols) is configured for an HD-FDD Type A UE to avoid a timing-advanced uplink (UL) transmission overlapping with the reception of any preceding downlink transmission (i.e. an overlapping resource of the first resource and the second resource as an invalid resource). The gap can be used to reconfigure the scheduled downlink transmission. For example, if the ending symbol of a scheduled DL transmission is not at least N symbols before the start of a UL transmission in a slot following the DL transmission), the UE may assume the DL transmission overlapping with the gap is punctured (i.e. an invalid resource of the first resource and/or the second resource)).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to implement the method of WeiChao within the method of Xiong. The motivation to combine references is that the combined system provides that the HD-FDD UE operates in either transmit or receive mode, and does not operate in transmit and receive modes simultaneously. Another UE configuration is Full-Duplex Frequency Division Multiplexing (FD-FDD). In Full-Duplex operations the UE is capable of transmitting and receiving simultaneously. Full-Duplex capability may involve duplication of certain hardware resources, such as oscillators, switches, and antennas, to support simultaneous operations, which may increase the cost and complexity of the UE. Half-Duplex operation instead shares these hardware resources, which results in a switching time as the hardware is reconfigured from receive to transmit and transmit to receive (See WeiChao [0007]).
Regarding claim 11, Xiong in view of WeiChao teaches all the limitations of claim 10. WeiChao further teaches wherein the program or the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the terminal to further perform at least one of the following: determining the target resource based on priorities of the first resource and the second resource; determining the target resource based on starting positions of the first resource and the second resource;
determining the target resource based on network configuration or a network indication; or
determining the target resource based on implementation of the terminal ([0085], Fig. 13, e.g. The first mobile device may be configured to puncture transmissions in the gap, such that the determination at block 1301 may indicate that there are resources available for re-use. That is, if the first mobile device is not going to receive and process a punctured portion of a transmission, then the resources in that punctured portion of the transmission are available to be reallocated for other purposes, such as transmission to another mobile device. At block 1302 those resources in the configured gap are reallocated for use by a second mobile device (i.e. determining, by the terminal, the target resource based on network configuration or a network indication)).
The motivation to combine reference of WeiChao within the method of Xiong before the effective filing date of the invention is that the new method provides that the wireless communication systems, and more particularly, to configuring and implementing a defined gap between downlink and uplink transmission for a half-duplex FDD (HD-FDD) Type A user equipment. Further the technology discussed in this paper can enable and provide improved radio frequency (RF) operations in Rx-to-Tx switching (See WeiChao [0001]).
Regarding claim 12, Xiong in view of WeiChao teaches all the limitations of claim 10. WeiChao further teaches wherein in the uplink transmission comprises at least one of the following: physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) repetition Type B transmission; PUSCH repetition Type A transmission ([0034] FIG. 16 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating Type A HD-FDD according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [0035] FIG. 17 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating Type B HD-FDD according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [0090] In Type A HD-FDD, a DL-to-UL guard period is created by the UE by not receiving the last part of a downlink (DL) subframe immediately preceding an uplink (UL) subframe from the same UE, and no UL-to-DL guard period is defined, but can be created by the eNB implementation by proper TA adjustment. [0091] In Type B HD-FDD, a DL-to-UL guard period is created by not requiring the UE to receive a DL subframe immediately preceding an UL subframe from the same UE, and an UL-to-DL guard period is created by not requiring the UE to receive a DL subframe immediately following an UL subframe from same UE. Type B operations may facilitate UE implementations with a single oscillator for Tx and Rx frequency generation by introducing a longer guard period for switching between uplink and downlink.);
at least one of initial transmission or retransmission of a message 3 (Msg3); PUSCH transmission of a message A (MsgA); transport block (TB) transmission over a multi-slot PUSCH; physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) transmission; or sounding reference signal (SRS) transmission ([0029], e.g. The SR resource with shorter periodicity can be configured to target low latency application, such as Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication (URLLC), in order to meet stringent latency specifications (i.e. initial transmission comprising sounding reference signal (SRS) transmission)).
The motivation to combine reference of WeiChao within the method of Xiong before the effective filing date of the invention is that the new method provides that the wireless communication systems, and more particularly, to configuring and implementing a defined gap between downlink and uplink transmission for a half-duplex FDD (HD-FDD) Type A user equipment. Further the technology discussed in this paper can enable and provide improved radio frequency (RF) operations in Rx-to-Tx switching (See WeiChao [0001]).
Regarding claim 13, Xiong in view of WeiChao teaches all the limitations of claim 10. WeiChao further teaches wherein in the downlink reception comprises at least one of the following:
reception of a target synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel signal block (SSB); or reception of a target control resource set ([0010], e.g. the transport block size (TBS ) (e.g. TSB of SSB) associated with the DL and/or UL transmission may be scaled, such as by scaling proportional to the number of symbols determined to overlap the gap, the number of symbols punctured, and/or a scaling factor received from a higher layer. [0056, 0058] On the uplink, at UE 115, transmit processor 264 may receive and process data (e.g., for the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH)) from data source 262 and control information (e.g., for the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH)) from controller/processor 280 (i.e. the downlink reception comprises physical broadcast channel signal block (SSB)).
The motivation to combine reference of WeiChao within the method of Xiong before the effective filing date of the invention is that the new method provides that the wireless communication systems, and more particularly, to configuring and implementing a defined gap between downlink and uplink transmission for a half-duplex FDD (HD-FDD) Type A user equipment. Further the technology discussed in this paper can enable and provide improved radio frequency (RF) operations in Rx-to-Tx switching (See WeiChao [0001]).
Regarding claim 17, Xiong in view of WeiChao teaches all the limitations of claim 10. Xiong further teaches wherein the program or the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the terminal to further perform: determining the first operation based on a type of the uplink transmission ([0028], e.g. Further, UE behavior when receiving conflicting information from cell specific and UE specific semi-static downlink and uplink (DL/UL) configuration and dynamic DL/UL configuration can be defined (i.e. determining the first operation based on a type of the uplink transmission definition). More specifically, a semi-static DL/UL direction may not be overwritten by the dynamic SFI, while flexible symbols in a semi-static DL/UL assignment can be overwritten by measurement, dynamic SFI, and UE specific data. In addition, semi-static measurement related reception and transmission can be overwritten by downlink control information (DCI) and dynamic SFI. In this case, the UE behavior can be the cancellation of measurement or measurement related transmission (i.e. the program further comprises: determining the first operation based on a type of the uplink transmission from configuration definition)).
Regarding claim 18, Xiong in view of WeiChao teaches all the limitations of claim 17. Xiong further teaches wherein in the type of the uplink transmission comprises at least one of the following: semi-static uplink transmission granted or configured through high layer signaling; uplink transmission scheduled by downlink control information (DCI); PUSCH transmission of a message A (MsgA); or PUSCH transmission of a message 3 ([0028], e.g. In addition, semi-static measurement related reception and transmission can be overwritten by downlink control information (DCI) and dynamic SFI. In this case, the UE behavior can be the cancellation of measurement or measurement related transmission (i.e. semi-static uplink transmission granted)).
Regarding claim 19, Xiong teaches a non-transitory readable storage medium, wherein the non-transitory readable storage medium stores a program or instructions, and the program or the instructions ([0010], e.g. [0060], e.g. Another example provides at least one machine readable storage medium having instructions 600 embodied thereon for handling radio resource control (RRC) configured physical channels or signals having a conflict direction, as shown in FIG. 6. The instructions can be executed on a machine, where the instructions are included on at least one computer readable medium or one non-transitory machine readable storage medium. [0059] In addition, the UE can comprise a memory interface configured to send to a memory the semi-static DL-UL assignment), when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform:
performing a first operation in a case that a first resource for uplink transmission conflicts with a second resource for downlink reception ([0008], Fig. 5 depicts functionality of a user equipment (UE or a terminal) operable to handle radio resource control (RRC) configured physical channels or signals having a conflict direction in accordance with an example. [0059] Another example provides functionality 500 of a user equipment (UE) operable to handle radio resource control (RRC) configured physical channels or signals having a conflict direction, as shown in FIG. 5, … the UE performing an operation to determine, that an RRC configured DL physical channel or DL signal and an RRC configured UL physical channel or UL signal have a conflicting DL-UL direction in one or more symbols, as in block 520 (i.e. terminal performing an operation in a case that a first resource for uplink transmission conflicts with a second resource for downlink reception);
wherein that the first resource conflicts with the second resource comprises that: a time interval between the first resource and the second resource is less than uplink and downlink switching time ([0043], e.g. In one example, a prioritization of the channels/signals with a periodicity less than 1 slot over channel/signal with a periodicity greater than or equal to 1 slot can be limited to the cases (i.e. a time interval between the first resource and the second resource is less than uplink and downlink switching time) when the channel/signal with periodicity less than 1 slot corresponds to one or more of: (i) Type 1 or Type 2 configured grant UL transmissions (configured grant PUSCH), (ii) SR transmission, and, (iii) PDCCH monitoring. In another example, a prioritization can be based on a configured periodicity that is applied, such that the periodic/semi-persistent channel/signal that has a higher periodicity can be prioritized over the one that is configured with a lower periodicity (i.e. a time interval between the first resource and the second resource is less than uplink and downlink switching time can be configured)),
wherein the uplink and downlink switching time comprises switching time for a terminal to switch from the downlink reception to the uplink transmission, and/or switching time for the terminal to switch from the uplink transmission to the downlink reception ([0030] In one example, given a short periodicity, e.g., in symbol level of DL and/or UL physical channels and/or signals, which are configured in a semi-static or semi-persistent manner by radio resource control (RRC) signaling or a combination of RRC and downlink control information (DCI), it can be difficult to avoid a conflicting direction by network scheduling. [0031] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a conflicting downlink (DL)/uplink (UL) direction for radio resource control (RRC) configured channels and signals. Depending on the periodicity, RRC configured physical channels/signals can have a conflicting DL and UL direction, e.g., in symbol #6 within a slot. In this case, certain mechanisms can be defined for UE behaviors on handling conflicting DL and UL direction for RRC configured DL and UL physical channels/signals (i.e. switching time for the terminal to switch from the downlink reception to the uplink transmission or vice versa is pre-defined and configured in the specification)).
Xiong teaches technology for a user equipment (UE) operable to communicate physical channels or signals based on an uplink-downlink (UL-DL) configuration. However Xiong differs from the claimed invention in not specifically and clearly describing wherein the first operation comprises at least one of the following:
determining an overlapping resource of the first resource and the second resource as an invalid resource of the first resource and/or the second resource; determining a symbol corresponding to the uplink and downlink switching time in a target resource as an invalid resource, wherein the target resource comprises at least one of the first resource or the second resource; determining the uplink transmission and the downlink reception as incorrect network configuration or scheduling; skipping the uplink transmission; or determining a target time unit in which the uplink transmission occurs as an unavailable time unit, and determining a quantity of available time units based on the target time unit.
However, in the analogous field of endeavor, WeiChao teaches wherein
the first operation comprises at least one of the following:
determining an overlapping resource of the first resource and the second resource as an invalid resource of the first resource and/or the second resource;
determining a symbol corresponding to the uplink and downlink switching time in a target resource as an invalid resource, wherein the target resource comprises at least one of the first resource or the second resource; determining the uplink transmission and the downlink reception as incorrect network configuration or scheduling; skipping the uplink transmission; or determining a target time unit in which the uplink transmission occurs as an unavailable time unit, and determining a quantity of available time units based on the target time unit ([ 0008], e.g. Various aspects of the disclosure relate to configuring a gap for a UE, which may be used to accommodate for the receive-to-transmit (Rx-Tx) switching time. Implementations may occur in one or more of devices, systems, and methods. A gap (e.g., defined as N symbols) is configured for an HD-FDD Type A UE to avoid a timing-advanced uplink (UL) transmission overlapping with the reception of any preceding downlink transmission (i.e. an overlapping resource of the first resource and the second resource as an invalid resource). The gap can be used to reconfigure the scheduled downlink transmission. For example, if the ending symbol of a scheduled DL transmission is not at least N symbols before the start of a UL transmission in a slot following the DL transmission), the UE may assume the DL transmission overlapping with the gap is punctured (i.e. an invalid resource of the first resource and/or the second resource)).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to implement the method of WeiChao within the method of Xiong. The motivation to combine references is that the combined system provides that the HD-FDD UE operates in either transmit or receive mode, and does not operate in transmit and receive modes simultaneously. Another UE configuration is Full-Duplex Frequency Division Multiplexing (FD-FDD). In Full-Duplex operations the UE is capable of transmitting and receiving simultaneously. Full-Duplex capability may involve duplication of certain hardware resources, such as oscillators, switches, and antennas, to support simultaneous operations, which may increase the cost and complexity of the UE. Half-Duplex operation instead shares these hardware resources, which results in a switching time as the hardware is reconfigured from receive to transmit and transmit to receive (See WeiChao [0007]).
Regarding claim 20, Xiong in view of WeiChao teaches all the limitations of claim 19. WeiChao further teaches wherein the program or the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to further perform at least one of the following:
determining the target resource based on priorities of the first resource and the second resource; determining the target resource based on starting positions of the first resource and the second resource;
determining the target resource based on network configuration or a network indication; or
determining the target resource based on implementation of the terminal ([0085], Fig. 13, e.g. The first mobile device may be configured to puncture transmissions in the gap, such that the determination at block 1301 may indicate that there are resources available for re-use. That is, if the first mobile device is not going to receive and process a punctured portion of a transmission, then the resources in that punctured portion of the transmission are available to be reallocated for other purposes, such as transmission to another mobile device. At block 1302 those resources in the configured gap are reallocated for use by a second mobile device (i.e. determining, by the terminal, the target resource based on network configuration or a network indication)).
The motivation to combine reference of WeiChao within the method of Xiong before the effective filing date of the invention is that the new method provides that the wireless communication systems, and more particularly, to configuring and implementing a defined gap between downlink and uplink transmission for a half-duplex FDD (HD-FDD) Type A user equipment. Further the technology discussed in this paper can enable and provide improved radio frequency (RF) operations in Rx-to-Tx switching (See WeiChao [0001]).
Claims 5 and 14 are rejected under 35 U. S. C. 103 as being unpatentable over Xiong et al. (US 20190261454 A1) in view of WeiChao et al. ( US 20230224886 A1), and further in view of LIiXinYue et al (CN 112291778 A).
Regarding claim 5, Xiong in view of WeiChao teaches all the limitations of claim 4. Xiong in view of WeiChao differs from the claimed invention in not specifically and clearly teaching wherein the target SSB is an SSB indicated by an SSB position.
However, in the same field of endeavor, LIiXinYue teaches wherein the target SSB is an SSB indicated by an SSB position ([Contents of the Invention paragraph], e.g. S107, the target cell of the 4 G downlink PDSCH layer flow is greater than or equal to the target cell of the 5 G downlink PDSCH layer flow, network device determines the position of sending SSB in the 5 G network, … so; network device can determine the position of sending SSB in the 5 G network punching, so that the position after punching can send the CRS in the 4 G network. Therefore, it can solve the channel conflict between the SSB in the CRS and the 5 G network in the 4 G network (i.e. the target SSB indicated by an SSB position)).
The motivation to combine reference of LIiXinYue and WeiChao within the method of Xiong before the effective filing date of the invention is that the new method provides a network optimization method and device. Further, the embodiment of the invention claims a network optimization method and device based on DSS technology application, which can improve the accuracy of determining the network data of the target cell in a certain time interval and improve the utilization rate of the frequency band (See LIiXinYue [ Technical field and Contents of the Invention paragraphs]).
Regarding claim 14, Xiong in view of WeiChao teaches all the limitations of claim 13. Xiong in view of WeiChao differs from the claimed invention in not specifically and clearly teaching wherein the target SSB is an SSB indicated by an SSB position.
However, in the same field of endeavor, LIiXinYue teaches wherein the target SSB is an SSB indicated by an SSB position ([Contents of the Invention paragraph], e.g. S107, the target cell of the 4 G downlink PDSCH layer flow is greater than or equal to the target cell of the 5 G downlink PDSCH layer flow, network device determines the position of sending SSB in the 5 G network, … so; network device can determine the position of sending SSB in the 5 G network punching, so that the position after punching can send the CRS in the 4 G network. Therefore, it can solve the channel conflict between the SSB in the CRS and the 5 G network in the 4 G network (i.e. the target SSB indicated by an SSB position)).
The motivation to combine reference of LIiXinYue and WeiChao within the method of Xiong before the effective filing date of the invention is that the new method provides a network optimization method and device. Further, the embodiment of the invention claims a network optimization method and device based on DSS technology application, which can improve the accuracy of determining the network data of the target cell in a certain time interval and improve the utilization rate of the frequency band (See LIiXinYue [ Technical field and Contents of the Invention paragraphs]).
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 6, 7, 15 and 16 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, and amending claims to overcome any objection(s) and /or rejection(s) set forth in this Office action.
Prior Art Record
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent
to applicant’s disclosure.
GUO; Zhiheng (US-20200136751-A1) - SIGNAL SENDING AND RECEIVING METHOD, AND APPARATUS.
ZHANG; Yingjie (US-20200221402-A1) - METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COMMUNICATION BASED ON FRAME STRUCTURE.
YOU; Hyangsun (US-20200229271-A1) - METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OPERATING COMMUNICATION NODE IN WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM.
JIANG; Dajie (US-20200260459-A1) - Transmission Control Method, Related Device And System.
Liu; Yun (US-20200288487-A1) - Resource Location Determining Method and Apparatus, and Resource Determining Method and Apparatus.
Feng; Bin (US-11219044-B2) - Method for sending uplink control information, terminal, and base station.
GOU, WEI (WO-2018121052-A1) - METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING UPLINK-CONTROLLED RESOURCES, TRANSMITTING TERMINAL AND RECEIVING TERMINAL.
GAO, Kuandong (WO-2019095941-A1) - METHOD FOR TRANSMITTING PAGING MESSAGE, AND TERMINAL DEVICE AND NETWORK DEVICE.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Mahendra Patel whose telephone number is (571) 270-7499. The examiner can normally be reached on 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM (EST) .
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, Anthony Addy can be reached on (571) 272-7795(571) 272-7795. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished applications is available through Private PAIR only. For more information about the PAIR system, see http://pair-direct.uspto.gov. Should you have questions on access to the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free) ? If you would like assistance from a USPTO customer Service Representative or access to the automated information system, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
/MAHENDRA R PATEL/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2645
Prosecution Insights