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 .
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 1-15, 19, 35, 38, and 41-42 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Wang et al (Publication number: US 2023/0258759).
Consider Claim 1, Wang et al shows a method for position determination of a user equipment (UE 110), wherein (see figures 4A and 4B), the method is performed by a network node (base station 120):
(a) Wherein the network node serves the user equipment in a radio environment over at least one indirect path via a respective reflector node and over a direct path (see figures 4A and 4B; and paragraphs 54-56); (The direct path is read as the path between base station 120 and UE 100, and the indirect path is read as the path between base station 120 and UE 110 through APD 181).
(b) Wherein the location of the reflector node relative the location of the network node is known by the network node (see paragraphs 40-41; and figure 2); (The APD information 270 can include respective identifiers, capabilities, command and control information, locations, orientations (e.g., static or last known) for the APDs 180 with which the base station 120 communicates. The base station 120 may generate or revise the APD information 270 to add new APDs 180 that are detected, update information of known APDs 180, or delete existing ADPs 180 that are deprecated).
(c) Wherein the method comprises: obtaining measurements relative the user equipment, wherein the measurements pertain to properties of the indirect path and the direct path, and wherein the measurements are based on signals communicated between the network node and the user equipment via the indirect path and via the direct path (see paragraphs 58-60; and figure 4A); (The base station 120 may estimate an initial position of the UE 110 based on a GNSS-based position reported by the UE 110, an angle-of-arrival of a UE uplink signal, an RSRP of a UE uplink signal, or the like. As such, various link quality parameters can be used by the base station 120 to obtain or determine an initial estimated UE-location. In response to estimating an approximate UE-location (e.g., within 3-10 meters of accuracy), the base station 120 selects and configures multiple APDs 180 for determining a position of the UE 110 with increased precision. In the context of the present example, the base station 120 or APF 272 selects a surface configuration for the RIS 410 of the APD 181 that transforms at least a portion of a wireless signal (e.g., signal ray 191) into a reflection (e.g., signal ray 192) that is reflected toward the UE 110).
(d) Determining the position of the user equipment using triangulation based on the measurements (see paragraph 79); (The base station 120 may use the APDs 180 to implement beam sweeping to steer or direct reflections of wireless signals toward the UE 110. Based on feedback provided by the UE 110 for the reflections of the wireless signals that reach the UE (e.g., reflection identifiers and RSRP), the base station 120 can compute the respective angular information for each APD. The base station 120 may then combine the angular information associated with the multiple APDs with known positions of the APDs to determine the position of the UE through triangulation and/or trilateration).
Consider Claim 19, Wang et al shows a method for position determination (see figures 4A and 4B), wherein the method is performed by a user equipment:
(a) Wherein the user equipment is served by a network node in a radio environment over at least one indirect path via a respective reflector node and over a direct path (see figures 4A and 4B; and paragraphs 54-56); (The direct path is read as the path between base station 120 and UE 100, and the indirect path is read as the path between base station 120 and UE 110 through APD 181).
(b) Wherein the location of the reflector node relative the location of the network node is known by the user equipment, and wherein the method comprises: obtaining measurements relative the network node (see paragraphs 40-41; and figure 2); (The APD information 270 can include respective identifiers, capabilities, command and control information, locations, orientations (e.g., static or last known) for the APDs 180 with which the base station 120 communicates. The base station 120 may generate or revise the APD information 270 to add new APDs 180 that are detected, update information of known APDs 180, or delete existing ADPs 180 that are deprecated).
(c) Wherein the measurements pertain to properties of the indirect path and the direct path, and wherein the measurements are based on signals communicated between the user equipment and the network node via the indirect path and via the direct path (see paragraphs 58-60; and figure 4A); (The base station 120 may estimate an initial position of the UE 110 based on a GNSS-based position reported by the UE 110, an angle-of-arrival of a UE uplink signal, an RSRP of a UE uplink signal, or the like. As such, various link quality parameters can be used by the base station 120 to obtain or determine an initial estimated UE-location. In response to estimating an approximate UE-location (e.g., within 3-10 meters of accuracy), the base station 120 selects and configures multiple APDs 180 for determining a position of the UE 110 with increased precision. In the context of the present example, the base station 120 or APF 272 selects a surface configuration for the RIS 410 of the APD 181 that transforms at least a portion of a wireless signal (e.g., signal ray 191) into a reflection (e.g., signal ray 192) that is reflected toward the UE 110).
(d) Determining the position of the user equipment using triangulation based on the measurements (see paragraph 79); (The base station 120 may use the APDs 180 to implement beam sweeping to steer or direct reflections of wireless signals toward the UE 110. Based on feedback provided by the UE 110 for the reflections of the wireless signals that reach the UE (e.g., reflection identifiers and RSRP), the base station 120 can compute the respective angular information for each APD. The base station 120 may then combine the angular information associated with the multiple APDs with known positions of the APDs to determine the position of the UE through triangulation and/or trilateration).
Consider Claim 35, Wang et al shows a network node for position determination (see figures 4A and 4B), of a user equipment:
(a) Wherein the network node is configured to serve the user equipment in a radio environment over at least one indirect path via a respective reflector node and over a direct path (see figures 4A and 4B; and paragraphs 54-56); (The direct path is read as the path between base station 120 and UE 100, and the indirect path is read as the path between base station 120 and UE 110 through APD 181).
(b) Wherein the location of the reflector node relative the location of the network node is known by the network node, the network node comprising processing circuitry, the processing circuitry being configured to cause the network node to: obtain measurements relative the user equipment (see paragraphs 40-41; and figure 2); (The APD information 270 can include respective identifiers, capabilities, command and control information, locations, orientations (e.g., static or last known) for the APDs 180 with which the base station 120 communicates. The base station 120 may generate or revise the APD information 270 to add new APDs 180 that are detected, update information of known APDs 180, or delete existing ADPs 180 that are deprecated).
(c) Wherein the measurements pertain to properties of the indirect path and the direct path, and wherein the measurements are based on signals communicated between the network node and the user equipment via the indirect path and via the direct path (see paragraphs 58-60; and figure 4A); (The base station 120 may estimate an initial position of the UE 110 based on a GNSS-based position reported by the UE 110, an angle-of-arrival of a UE uplink signal, an RSRP of a UE uplink signal, or the like. As such, various link quality parameters can be used by the base station 120 to obtain or determine an initial estimated UE-location. In response to estimating an approximate UE-location (e.g., within 3-10 meters of accuracy), the base station 120 selects and configures multiple APDs 180 for determining a position of the UE 110 with increased precision. In the context of the present example, the base station 120 or APF 272 selects a surface configuration for the RIS 410 of the APD 181 that transforms at least a portion of a wireless signal (e.g., signal ray 191) into a reflection (e.g., signal ray 192) that is reflected toward the UE 110).
(d) Determine the position of the user equipment using triangulation based on the measurements (see paragraph 79); (The base station 120 may use the APDs 180 to implement beam sweeping to steer or direct reflections of wireless signals toward the UE 110. Based on feedback provided by the UE 110 for the reflections of the wireless signals that reach the UE (e.g., reflection identifiers and RSRP), the base station 120 can compute the respective angular information for each APD. The base station 120 may then combine the angular information associated with the multiple APDs with known positions of the APDs to determine the position of the UE through triangulation and/or trilateration).
Consider Claim 38, Wang et al shows a user equipment (see figures 4A and 4B), for position determination:
(a) Wherein the user equipment is configured to be served by a network node in a radio environment over at least one indirect path via a respective reflector node and over a direct path (see figures 4A and 4B; and paragraphs 54-56); (The direct path is read as the path between base station 120 and UE 100, and the indirect path is read as the path between base station 120 and UE 110 through APD 181).
(b) Wherein the location of the reflector node relative the location of the network node is known by the user equipment, the user equipment comprising processing circuitry, the processing circuitry being configured to cause the user equipment to: obtain measurements relative the network node (see paragraphs 40-41; and figure 2); (The APD information 270 can include respective identifiers, capabilities, command and control information, locations, orientations (e.g., static or last known) for the APDs 180 with which the base station 120 communicates. The base station 120 may generate or revise the APD information 270 to add new APDs 180 that are detected, update information of known APDs 180, or delete existing ADPs 180 that are deprecated).
(c) Wherein the measurements pertain to properties of the indirect path and the direct path, and wherein the measurements are based on signals communicated between the user equipment and the network node via the indirect path and via the direct path (see paragraphs 58-60; and figure 4A); (The base station 120 may estimate an initial position of the UE 110 based on a GNSS-based position reported by the UE 110, an angle-of-arrival of a UE uplink signal, an RSRP of a UE uplink signal, or the like. As such, various link quality parameters can be used by the base station 120 to obtain or determine an initial estimated UE-location. In response to estimating an approximate UE-location (e.g., within 3-10 meters of accuracy), the base station 120 selects and configures multiple APDs 180 for determining a position of the UE 110 with increased precision. In the context of the present example, the base station 120 or APF 272 selects a surface configuration for the RIS 410 of the APD 181 that transforms at least a portion of a wireless signal (e.g., signal ray 191) into a reflection (e.g., signal ray 192) that is reflected toward the UE 110).
(d) Determine the position of the user equipment using triangulation based on the measurements (see paragraph 79); (The base station 120 may use the APDs 180 to implement beam sweeping to steer or direct reflections of wireless signals toward the UE 110. Based on feedback provided by the UE 110 for the reflections of the wireless signals that reach the UE (e.g., reflection identifiers and RSRP), the base station 120 can compute the respective angular information for each APD. The base station 120 may then combine the angular information associated with the multiple APDs with known positions of the APDs to determine the position of the UE through triangulation and/or trilateration).
Consider Claim 2, Wang et al shows that the signals are downlink reference signals sent by the network node towards the user equipment over the indirect path and the direct path, wherein the properties pertain to timing information, and wherein the measurements are made by the user equipment on the downlink reference signals and reported to the network node (see paragraph 105); (A base station 120 may estimate an approximate location (e.g., initial position within 3-10 meters) of a UE 110 based on radio resource management (RRM) measurements, reported GNSS-based UE-position, or observed time difference of arrival (OTDOA). Based on the approximate location of the UE 110, the base station 120 selects a set of APDs near the approximate location and configures respective RISs the APDs to reflect signals toward the UE 110).
Consider Claim 3, Wang et al shows that the signals are uplink reference signals sent by the user equipment and received by the network node over the indirect path and the direct path, wherein the properties pertain to timing information, and wherein the measurements are made by the network node on the uplink reference signals (see paragraph 105); (A base station 120 may estimate an approximate location (e.g., initial position within 3-10 meters) of a UE 110 based on radio resource management (RRM) measurements, reported GNSS-based UE-position, or observed time difference of arrival (OTDOA). Based on the approximate location of the UE 110, the base station 120 selects a set of APDs near the approximate location and configures respective RISs the APDs to reflect signals toward the UE 110).
Consider Claims 4 and 5, Wang et al shows that the position of the user equipment is determined based on propagation delays for the indirect path and the direct path as determined based on the timing information, wherein the timing information is defined by time-of-arrival values (see paragraph 105); (A base station 120 may estimate an approximate location (e.g., initial position within 3-10 meters) of a UE 110 based on radio resource management (RRM) measurements, reported GNSS-based UE-position, or observed time difference of arrival (OTDOA). Based on the approximate location of the UE 110, the base station 120 selects a set of APDs near the approximate location and configures respective RISs the APDs to reflect signals toward the UE 110).
Consider Claim 6, Wang et al shows that the signals are downlink signals sent in directional beams by the network node towards the user equipment over the indirect path and the direct path, wherein the properties pertain to directional information of the downlink signals, and wherein the measurements are made by the user equipment on the downlink signals and reported to the network node (see paragraphs 58-60; and figure 4A); (The base station 120 may estimate an initial position of the UE 110 based on a GNSS-based position reported by the UE 110, an angle-of-arrival of a UE uplink signal, an RSRP of a UE uplink signal, or the like. As such, various link quality parameters can be used by the base station 120 to obtain or determine an initial estimated UE-location. In response to estimating an approximate UE-location (e.g., within 3-10 meters of accuracy), the base station 120 selects and configures multiple APDs 180 for determining a position of the UE 110 with increased precision. In the context of the present example, the base station 120 or APF 272 selects a surface configuration for the RIS 410 of the APD 181 that transforms at least a portion of a wireless signal (e.g., signal ray 191) into a reflection (e.g., signal ray 192) that is reflected toward the UE 110).
Consider Claims 7 and 8, Wang et al shows that the signals are uplink signals sent by the user equipment and received by the network node and the reflector node in directional beams, wherein the properties pertain to directional information of the uplink signals, and wherein the measurements are made by the network node, wherein the position of the user equipment is determined based on the directional information for the indirect path and the direct path (see paragraph 79); (The base station 120 may use the APDs 180 to implement beam sweeping to steer or direct reflections of wireless signals toward the UE 110. Based on feedback provided by the UE 110 for the reflections of the wireless signals that reach the UE (e.g., reflection identifiers and RSRP), the base station 120 can compute the respective angular information for each APD. The base station 120 may then combine the angular information associated with the multiple APDs with known positions of the APDs to determine the position of the UE through triangulation and/or trilateration).
Consider Claims 9 and 10, Wang et al shows that the directional information is defined by received signal power in the directional beams, wherein the directional information is defined by angle-of-arrival values (see paragraphs 56-58).
Consider Claim 11, Wang et al shows that the method further comprises: obtaining further measurements relative the reflector node, said further measurements pertaining to properties of the indirect path between the network node and the reflector node, and wherein the position of the user equipment is determined also based on said further measurements (see paragraph 56); (The wireless signal 402 transmitted by the base station 120 includes the signal ray 190 that propagates toward the UE 110 in a LoS manner, the signal ray 191 that propagates toward the APD 181, and the signal ray 193 that propagates toward obstructions 404 (illustrated as structures and foliage) that block the signal ray 193 from reaching the UE 110. the base station 120 generally transmits a wireless signal 402 with a direct signal ray (e.g., signal ray 191) propagating toward the APD 180 and optionally with direct signal rays (e.g., signal ray 190) propagating toward the UE 110).
Consider Claim 12, Wang et al shows that properties of the indirect path between the network node and the reflector node are at least one of propagation delay of the indirect path, and relative direction of the indirect path relative the network node (see paragraph 56); (The wireless signal 402 transmitted by the base station 120 includes the signal ray 190 that propagates toward the UE 110 in a LoS manner, the signal ray 191 that propagates toward the APD 181, and the signal ray 193 that propagates toward obstructions 404 (illustrated as structures and foliage) that block the signal ray 193 from reaching the UE 110. the base station 120 generally transmits a wireless signal 402 with a direct signal ray (e.g., signal ray 191) propagating toward the APD 180 and optionally with direct signal rays (e.g., signal ray 190) propagating toward the UE 110).
Consider Claim 13, Wang et al shows that the reflector node has a processing delay and/or latency for reflecting the signals communicated between the network node and the user equipment via the reflector node, and wherein the measurements relative the user equipment are compensated for the processing delay and/or latency (see paragraphs 40-41; and figure 2); (The APD information 270 can include respective identifiers, capabilities, command and control information, locations, orientations (e.g., static or last known) for the APDs 180 with which the base station 120 communicates. The base station 120 may generate or revise the APD information 270 to add new APDs 180 that are detected, update information of known APDs 180, or delete existing ADPs 180 that are deprecated).
Consider Claims 14 and 15, Wang et al shows that the method further comprises: obtaining further measurements relative the user equipment from another network node, and wherein the position of the user equipment is determined also based on said further measurements, wherein the method further comprises: estimating reliability of the position of the user equipment based on the obtained measurements (see paragraphs 58-60; and figure 4A); (The base station 120 may estimate an initial position of the UE 110 based on a GNSS-based position reported by the UE 110, an angle-of-arrival of a UE uplink signal, an RSRP of a UE uplink signal, or the like. As such, various link quality parameters can be used by the base station 120 to obtain or determine an initial estimated UE-location. In response to estimating an approximate UE-location (e.g., within 3-10 meters of accuracy), the base station 120 selects and configures multiple APDs 180 for determining a position of the UE 110 with increased precision. In the context of the present example, the base station 120 or APF 272 selects a surface configuration for the RIS 410 of the APD 181 that transforms at least a portion of a wireless signal (e.g., signal ray 191) into a reflection (e.g., signal ray 192) that is reflected toward the UE 110).
Consider Claim 41, Wang et al shows a computer program product for position determination of a user equipment, the computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium storing a computer program comprising code which, when run on processing circuitry of a network node, wherein the network node is configured to serve the user equipment in a radio environment over at least one indirect path via a respective reflector node and over a direct path, wherein the location of the reflector node relative the location of the network node is known by the network node, causes the network node to carry out the method according to claim 1 (see paragraphs 40-41; and figure 2); (The APD information 270 can include respective identifiers, capabilities, command and control information, locations, orientations (e.g., static or last known) for the APDs 180 with which the base station 120 communicates. The base station 120 may generate or revise the APD information 270 to add new APDs 180 that are detected, update information of known APDs 180, or delete existing ADPs 180 that are deprecated).
Consider Claim 42, Wang et al shows a computer program product for position determination, the computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium storing a computer program comprising code which, when run on processing circuitry of a user equipment, wherein the user equipment is configured to be served by a network node in a radio environment over at least one indirect path via a respective reflector node and over a direct path, wherein the location of the reflector node relative the location of the network node is known by the user equipment, causes the user equipment to carry out the method according to claim 19 (see paragraphs 40-41; and figure 2); (The APD information 270 can include respective identifiers, capabilities, command and control information, locations, orientations (e.g., static or last known) for the APDs 180 with which the base station 120 communicates. The base station 120 may generate or revise the APD information 270 to add new APDs 180 that are detected, update information of known APDs 180, or delete existing ADPs 180 that are deprecated).
Conclusion
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/MICHAEL A FARAGALLA/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2624 06/26/2026
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