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 .
Priority
Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 9/27/2024, 4/21/2026, and 7/07/2026 was filed in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claim(s) 1, 2, 7, 11, 16-17, 25, 29-30 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by US 2022/0014935 A1 by Haija et al. (hereafter referred to as Haija).
Regarding claim 1, Haija teaches A network entity configured for wireless communications (see at least Fig. 1A), comprising:
a memory comprising computer-executable instructions (see at least ¶ [0006]; medium); and
one or more processors configured to execute the computer-executable instructions (see at least ¶ [0006]; processor) and cause the network entity to:
transmit, to a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS), a reconfigurable intelligent surface reference signal (RIS-RS) configured for a user equipment (see at least Fig. 7, CSI-RS 720), wherein the RIS-RS is not associated with a physical broadcast channel (PBCH) (see at least ¶ [0006] and [0148]; a CSI is sent to a UE, in 3GPP, normally a PDSCH is used for this, not the PBCH.); and
receive, from the user equipment, a channel state information (CSI) report comprising one or more measurements associated with the RIS- RS (see at least Fig. 7 (703) and ¶ [0158]-[0160]).
Regarding claim 2, Haija teaches the network entity of claim 1. In addition, Haija teaches wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute the computer-executable instructions and further cause the network entity to: transmit, to the user equipment, a configuration for the RIS-RS, wherein the configuration for the RIS-RS comprises a resource set configured for measuring a channel between the RIS and the user equipment (see at least Fig. 7 (715)).
Regarding claim 7, Haija teaches the network entity of claim 1. In addition, Haija teaches wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute the computer-executable instructions and further cause the network entity to: transmit, to the user equipment, a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) wherein the RIS-RS is not quasi-collocated with the CSI-RS (see at least Fig. 7 and ¶ [0038]).
Regarding claim 11, Haija teaches the network entity of claim 1. In addition, Haija teaches wherein one of the one or more measurements comprises a layer 1 received signal received power (RSRP) measurement (see at least ¶ [[0103], and [0119]; RSRP).
Regarding claim 16, Haija teaches A user equipment configured for wireless communications, comprising: a memory comprising computer-executable instructions; and one or more processors configured to execute the computer-executable instructions and cause the user equipment to: receive, from a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) , a reconfigurable intelligent surface reference signal (RIS-RS) transmitted by a network entity, wherein the RIS-RS is not associated with a physical broadcast channel (PBCH) (see at least ¶ [0006] and [0148]; a CSI is sent to a UE, in 3GPP, normally a PDSCH is used for this, not the PBCH.); and
transmit, to the network entity, a channel state information (CSI) report comprising one or more measurements associated with the RIS-RS (see at least Fig. 7 (703) and ¶ [0158]-[0160]).
Regarding claim 17, Haija teaches the user equipment of claim 16. In addition, Haija teaches wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute the computer-executable instructions and further cause the user equipment to:
receive, from the network entity, a configuration for the RIS-RS, wherein the configuration for the RIS-RS comprises a resource set configured for measuring a channel between the RIS and the user equipment (see at least Fig. 7 (715)).
Regarding claim 25, Haija teaches the user equipment of claim 16. In addition, Haija teaches wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute the computer-executable instructions and further cause the user equipment to: receive, from the network entity, a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), wherein the RIS-RS is not quasi-collocated with the CSI-RS (see at least Fig. 7 and ¶ [0038]).
Regarding claim 29, Haija teaches A method of wireless communications by a network entity, comprising:
transmitting, to a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS), a reconfigurable intelligent surface reference signal (RIS-RS) configured for a user equipment (see at least Fig. 7 and ¶ [0157]), wherein the RIS-RS is not associated with a physical broadcast channel (PBCH) (see at least ¶ [0006] and [0148]; a CSI is sent to a UE, in 3GPP, normally a PDSCH is used for this, not the PBCH.); and
receiving, from the user equipment, a channel state information (CSI) report comprising one or more measurements associated with the RIS- RS (see at least Fig. 7 (703) and ¶ [0158]-[0160]).
Regarding claim 30, Haija teaches A method of wireless communications by a user equipment, comprising:
receiving, from a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS), a reconfigurable intelligent surface reference signal (RIS-RS) transmitted by a network entity (see at least Fig. 7 and ¶ [0157]), wherein the RIS-RS is not associated with a physical broadcast channel (PBCH) (see at least ¶ [0006] and [0148]; a CSI is sent to a UE, in 3GPP, normally a PDSCH is used for this, not the PBCH.); and
transmitting, to the network entity, a channel state information (CSI) report comprising one or more measurements associated with the RIS- RS (see at least Fig. 7 (703) and ¶ [0158]-[0160]).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
The following is a quotation of 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.
The factual inquiries 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.
Claim(s) 3-5, 21-23 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Haija as applied to claim 2 above, in view of US 2017/0019280 A1 by Han et al. (hereafter referred to as Han).
Regarding claim 3, Haija teaches the network entity of claim 2.
Haija does not appear to specifically disclose wherein the configuration for the RIS- RS comprises one or more sequences.
In the same field of endeavor, Han teaches wherein the configuration for the RIS- RS comprises one or more sequences (see at least ¶ [0058]-[0060]; RS sequence).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify the reference signal taught by Haija with the reference signal taught by Han in order to increase reliability of wireless communication (Han ¶ [0004]).
Regarding claim 4, Haija in view of Han teaches the network entity of claim 3. In the obvious combination Han further teaches wherein at least one of the one or more sequences is a gold sequence or an m-sequence (see at least ¶ [0058]-[0060]; m-sequence, Gold Sequence).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify the reference signal taught by Haija with the reference signal taught by Han in order to increase reliability of wireless communication (Han ¶ [0004]).
Regarding claim 5, Haija teaches the network entity of claim 2.
Haija does not appear to specifically disclose wherein:
the configuration for the RIS-RS indicates a plurality of RIS-RS sets, each respective RIS-RS set of the plurality of RIS-RS sets is configured with a respective sequence for each RIS-RS included in the respective RIS-RS set, and
RIS-RSs in different RIS-RS sets of the plurality of RIS-RS sets are configured with different sequences from one another.
In the same field of endeavor, Han teaches wherein:
the configuration for the RIS-RS indicates a plurality of RIS-RS sets, each respective RIS-RS set of the plurality of RIS-RS sets is configured with a respective sequence for each RIS-RS included in the respective RIS-RS set, and
RIS-RSs in different RIS-RS sets of the plurality of RIS-RS sets are configured with different sequences from one another (see at least ¶ [0156]; sequence set).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify the reference signal taught by Haija with the reference signal taught by Han in order to increase reliability of wireless communication (Han ¶ [0004]).
Regarding claim 21, Haija teaches the user equipment of claim 17.
Haija does not appear to specifically disclose wherein the configuration comprises a gold sequence.
In the same field of endeavor, Han teaches wherein the configuration comprises a gold sequence (see at least ¶ [0058]-[0060]; m-sequence, Gold Sequence).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify the reference signal taught by Haija with the reference signal taught by Han in order to increase reliability of wireless communication (Han ¶ [0004]).
Regarding claim 22, Haija teaches the user equipment of claim 17.
Haija does not appear to specifically disclose wherein: the configuration indicates one or more RIS-RS sets, and the RIS-RS is associated with one of the one or more RIS-RS sets.
In the same field of endeavor, Han teaches wherein: the configuration indicates one or more RIS-RS sets, and the RIS-RS is associated with one of the one or more RIS-RS sets (see at least ¶ [0156]; sequence set).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify the reference signal taught by Haija with the reference signal taught by Han in order to increase reliability of wireless communication (Han ¶ [0004]).
Regarding claim 23, Haija in view of Han teaches the user equipment of claim 22. In the obvious combination, Han teaches wherein: each respective RIS-RS set of the one or more RIS-RS sets is configured with a respective sequence for each RIS-RS included in the respective RIS-RS set, and RIS-RSs in different RIS-RS sets of the one or more RIS-RS sets are configured with different sequences from one another (see at least ¶ [0156]; sequence set).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify the reference signal taught by Haija with the reference signal taught by Han in order to increase reliability of wireless communication (Han ¶ [0004]).
Claim(s) 18-20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Haija as applied to claim 17 above, in view of US 2023/0246674 A1 by Ǻström et al. (hereafter referred to as Astrom).
Regarding claim 18, Haija teaches the user equipment of claim 17.
Haija does not appear to specifically disclose wherein the configuration schedules the RIS-RS periodically.
In the same field of endeavor, Ǻström teaches wherein the configuration schedules the RIS-RS periodically (see at least ¶ [0033], [0035], [0037], [0039], [0120], [0122], [0124], and [0126]).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify Haija with Ǻström in order to improve network capability, increase power efficiency and provide a better user experience.
Regarding claim 19, Haija teaches the user equipment of claim 17.
Haija does not appear to specifically disclose wherein the configuration schedules the RIS-RS semi-periodically.
In the same field of endeavor, Ǻström teaches wherein the configuration schedules the RIS-RS semi-periodically (see at least ¶ [0033], [0035], [0037], [0039], [0120], [0122], [0124], and [0126]).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify Haija with Ǻström in order to improve network capability, increase power efficiency and provide a better user experience.
Regarding claim 20, Haija teaches the user equipment of claim 17.
Haija does not appear to specifically disclose wherein the configuration schedules the RIS-RS aperiodically.
In the same field of endeavor, Ǻström teaches wherein the configuration schedules the RIS-RS aperiodically (see at least ¶ [0033], [0035], [0037], [0039], [0120], [0122], [0124], and [0126]).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify Haija with Ǻström in order to improve network capability, increase power efficiency and provide a better user experience.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 6, 8-10, 12-15, 24, 26-28 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to NATASHA W COSME whose telephone number is (571)270-7225. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 7:30-4.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Ayman Abaza can be reached at 571-270-0422. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/NATASHA W COSME/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2465
