DETAILED ACTION
This communication is in response to the claims filed on 11/06/2024.
Application No: 18/939,028.
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Note: The examiner has tried to contact applicant representative, but no response was received.
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 10 objected to because of the following informalities: claim is not clarifying limitation, namely, a report that indicates a data burst interval and indicates whether to delay handover execution. 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, 4-5, 10, 12, 17 and 20 are rejected under 35 U. S. C. 103 as being unpatentable over NASEER et al. (US 20240276333 A1) in view of Bruhn et al. (US 20240196272 A1).
Regarding claim 1, NASEER teaches a user equipment (UE) for wireless communication ([0045], e.g. To provide a continuous service for the user of a UE, the UE may carry out a handover procedure, which may also be referred to as handoff, to change from one base station to another), comprising:
one or more memories; and one or more processors, coupled to the one or more memories ([0065] FIG. 7 illustrates an apparatus 700, which may be an apparatus such as, or comprised in, a terminal device, according to an exemplary embodiment. A terminal device may also be referred to as a UE herein. The apparatus 700 comprises a processor 710 (i.e. a processor with a memory). The processor 710 interprets computer program instructions and processes data), configured to cause the UE to:
receive, from the source network node, a command associated with a handover from the source network node to a target network node ([0059], e.g. the first base station then transmits 408 the handover command to the UE (i.e. receive, from the source network node, a command associated with a handover). The handover command may be comprised in a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration, for example. After receiving the handover command, the UE detaches 409 from the source cell and synchronizes to the target cell (i.e. a handover from the source network node to a target network node). The UE transmits 410 a handover complete message to the second base station),
wherein the command is received before or after a data burst based at least in part on the data burst interval and one or more handover delay rules ([0050], e.g. For example, for the baseline handover procedure, the source cell may adjust the transmission of the handover command, i.e. schedule the handover command (i.e. the command is received before or after a data burst based at least in part on the data burst interval), to the UE in order to match the UE's survival time requirements (i.e. data burst interval requirement). [0053] The first base station evaluates 406 the survival time status of the UE, and it may determine to delay 407 the handover command transmission to the UE based at least partly on the survival time status. For example, the handover command transmission may be delayed, if ST−Y≤X, where ST denotes the maximum tolerable survival time requirement of the UE traffic, Y denotes the current survival time status, and X denotes the handover interruption time of the handover procedure being used. Otherwise, i.e. if ST−Y>X, the handover command may be sent without delay (i.e. handover delay rules). The first base station may also take into account additional information for deciding whether or not to delay the handover command (i.e. one or more handover delay rules)); and
perform the handover based at least in part on receiving the command. ([0059], e.g. After receiving the handover command, the UE detaches 409 from the source cell and synchronizes to the target cell. The UE transmits 410 a handover complete message to the second base station).
NASEER teaches a method comprising evaluating a survival time status of a terminal device, determining a handover command based at least partly on the survival time status, and transmitting the handover command to the terminal device based on the determining. However, NASEER differs from the claimed invention in not specifically and clearly describing wherein
transmit, to a source network node, a report that indicates a data burst interval and indicates whether to delay handover execution based at least in part on the data burst interval.
However, in the analogous field of endeavor, Bruhn teaches wherein
Transmit ([0294], e.g. various embodiments, the type of traffic measurements and/or predictions that the first network node may request or configure the UE to provide (i.e. transmitting) can include any of the following:),
to a source network node, a report that indicates a data burst interval and indicates whether to delay handover execution based at least in part on the data burst interval ([0493], e.g. In some embodiments, the exemplary method can also include the operations of block 1130, where the second network node can receive, from a plurality of UEs served by second network node, measurements and/or predictions of one or more of the following traffic metrics (i.e. UE transmits a report to a source Base station): data volume, packet size, bit rate, packet delay, packet delay jitter (i.e. delay handover execution), packet error rate, number of consecutive failed packets, inter-packet arrival time, service downtime, number of bursts in an application level message (i.e. a report that indicates a data burst interval), application level message size, end-to-end latency. In such embodiments, measuring and/or predicting the traffic for the second network node during the one or more time intervals in block 1150 is based on the measurements and/or predictions received from the plurality of UEs in block 1130).
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 Bruhn within the method of NASEER. The motivation to combine references is that the combined method provides techniques for improved network resource management based on measurements and/or predictions of data traffic of network nodes serving neighboring coverage areas, and migration of such data traffic into other coverage areas (See Bruhn [0001]).
Regarding claim 4, NASEER in view of Bruhn teaches all the limitations of claim 1. Bruhn further teaches wherein the report further indicates a requested duration by which to delay the handover execution ([0184], e.g. In some embodiments, at least some of the traffic status information reported by the second network node can be obtained from one or more UEs served by the second network node. Such traffic status information obtained from the UE(s) can include any of the following: … [0188] predicted packet delay jitter requested from a given time or within a given time window, [0189] predicted packet error rate requested from a given time or within a given time window, [0190] predicted number of consecutively failed package deliveries requested from a given time or within a given time window (i.e. indicates a requested duration by which to delay the handover execution), [0191] predicted number of bursts in an application level message).
The motivation to combine reference of Bruhn within the method of NASEER before the effective filing date of the invention is that the combined method provides improve techniques based on the traffic status information, including predicting a change in load and/or interference in a coverage area of the first network node, and mobility load balancing with respect to one or more user equipment (UEs) (See Bruhn ([abstract]).
Regarding claim 5, NASEER in view of Bruhn teaches all the limitations of claim 1. NASEER further teaches wherein the handover is a layer 3 handover procedure, a layer 1 or layer 2 triggered mobility (LTM) procedure, a sequence handover, or a non-sequence handover ([0028], e.g. The user device (or in some exemplary embodiments a layer 3 relay node) may be configured to perform one or more of user equipment functionalities (i.e. the handover is a layer 3 handover procedure if UE is in a relay node)), and
the one or more handover delay rules are based at least in part on one or more of a predicted arrival time of the data burst, a source network node scheduling rate, a measurement associated with the source network node, or a duration for delaying the handover ([0053] The first base station evaluates 406 the survival time status of the UE, and it may determine to delay 407 the handover command transmission to the UE based at least partly on the survival time status. For example, the handover command transmission may be delayed, if ST−Y≤X, where ST denotes the maximum tolerable survival time requirement of the UE traffic (i.e. a predicted arrival time of the data burst)).
Regarding claim 10, NASEER teaches a UE for wireless communication ([0045], e.g. To provide a continuous service for the user of a UE, the UE may carry out a handover procedure, which may also be referred to as handoff, to change from one base station to another), comprising:
one or more memories; and one or more processors, coupled to the one or more memories ([0065] FIG. 7 illustrates an apparatus 700, which may be an apparatus such as, or comprised in, a terminal device, according to an exemplary embodiment. A terminal device may also be referred to as a UE herein. The apparatus 700 comprises a processor 710 (i.e. a processor with a memory). The processor 710 interprets computer program instructions and processes data), configured to cause the UE to:
receive, from a source network node, a command indicating one or more conditions associated with a handover from the source network node to a target network node ([0059], e.g. the first base station then transmits 408 the handover command to the UE (i.e. receive, from the source network node, a command associated with a handover). The handover command may be comprised in a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration, for example. After receiving the handover command, the UE detaches 409 from the source cell and synchronizes to the target cell (i.e. a handover from the source network node to a target network node). The UE transmits 410 a handover complete message to the second base station ([0053] The first base station evaluates 406 the survival time status of the UE, and it may determine to delay 407 the handover command transmission to the UE based at least partly on the survival time status. For example, the handover command transmission may be delayed, if ST−Y≤X, where ST denotes the maximum tolerable survival time requirement of the UE traffic. (i.e. a command indicating one or more conditions associated with a handover)).
NASEER teaches a method comprising evaluating a survival time status of a terminal device, determining a handover command based at least partly on the survival time status, and transmitting the handover command to the terminal device based on the determining. However, NASEER differs from the claimed invention in not specifically and clearly describing wherein
the command indicates one or more handover delay rules associated with whether to delay execution of the handover in accordance with a data burst interval; and perform, in accordance with the one or more conditions being satisfied, the handover to the target network node before or after a data burst based at least in part on the data burst interval and one or more handover delay rules.
However, in the analogous field of endeavor, Bruhn teaches wherein
the command indicates one or more handover delay rules associated with whether to delay execution of the handover in accordance with a data burst interval ([0294], e.g. various embodiments, the type of traffic measurements and/or predictions that the first network node may request or configure the UE to provide (i.e. receiving) can include any of the following: ([0493], e.g. In some embodiments, the exemplary method can also include the operations of block 1130, where the second network node can receive, from a plurality of UEs served by second network node, measurements and/or predictions of one or more of the following traffic metrics (i.e. UE transmits a report to a source Base station): data volume, packet size, bit rate, packet delay, packet delay jitter (i.e. delay handover execution), packet error rate, number of consecutive failed packets, inter-packet arrival time, service downtime, number of bursts in an application level message (i.e. a report that indicates a data burst interval), application level message size, end-to-end latency. In such embodiments, measuring and/or predicting the traffic for the second network node during the one or more time intervals in block 1150 is based on the measurements and/or predictions received from the plurality of UEs in block 1130); and
perform ([0494], e.g. In some embodiments, predicting traffic migration from one or more coverage areas of the second network node to one or more coverage areas of the first network node in block 1150 can include the operations of sub-block 1151, where the second network node can determine that one or more UEs served by the second network node are expected to perform mobility operations toward the first network node during a subsequent time interval (i.e. perform a handover)),
in accordance with the one or more conditions being satisfied, the handover to the target network node before or after a data burst based at least in part on the data burst interval ([0493], e.g. In some embodiments, the exemplary method can also include the operations of block 1130, where the second network node can receive, from a plurality of UEs served by second network node, measurements and/or predictions of one or more of the following traffic metrics: data volume, packet size, bit rate, packet delay, packet delay jitter, packet error rate, number of consecutive failed packets, inter-packet arrival time, service downtime, number of bursts in an application level message (i.e. handover based on data burst interval ), and
one or more handover delay rules ([0184], e.g. In some embodiments, at least some of the traffic status information reported by the second network node can be obtained from one or more UEs served by the second network node. Such traffic status information obtained from the UE(s) can include any of the following: [0185] predicted bit rate requested from a given time or within a given time window, [0186] predicted data volume requested from a given time or within a given time window, [0187] predicted packet delay requested from a given time or within a given time window, [0188] predicted packet delay jitter requested from a given time or within a given time window (i.e. handover based on a delay rules)).
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 Bruhn within the method of NASEER. The motivation to combine references is that the combined method provides techniques for improved network resource management based on measurements and/or predictions of data traffic of network nodes serving neighboring coverage areas, and migration of such data traffic into other coverage areas (See Bruhn [0001]).
Regarding claim 12, NASEER in view of Bruhn teaches all the limitations of claim 10. NASEER further teaches wherein the one or more handover delay rules are based at least in part on one or more of a predicted arrival time of the data burst, a source network node scheduling rate, a measurement associated with the source network node, or a duration for delaying the handover ([0053] The first base station evaluates 406 the survival time status of the UE, and it may determine to delay 407 the handover command transmission to the UE based at least partly on the survival time status. For example, the handover command transmission may be delayed, if ST−Y≤X, where ST denotes the maximum tolerable survival time requirement of the UE traffic (i.e. a predicted arrival time of the data burst)).
Regarding claim 17, NASEER teaches a method of wireless communication performed by a user equipment (UE) ([0045], e.g. To provide a continuous service for the user of a UE, the UE may carry out a handover procedure, which may also be referred to as handoff, to change from one base station to another), comprising:
receiving, from the source network node, a command associated with a handover from the source network node to a target network node ([0059], e.g. the first base station then transmits 408 the handover command to the UE (i.e. receive, from the source network node, a command associated with a handover). The handover command may be comprised in a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration, for example. After receiving the handover command, the UE detaches 409 from the source cell and synchronizes to the target cell (i.e. a handover from the source network node to a target network node). The UE transmits 410 a handover complete message to the second base station),
wherein the command is received before or after a data burst based at least in part on the data burst interval and one or more handover delay rules ([0050], e.g. For example, for the baseline handover procedure, the source cell may adjust the transmission of the handover command, i.e. schedule the handover command (i.e. the command is received before or after a data burst based at least in part on the data burst interval), to the UE in order to match the UE's survival time requirements (i.e. data burst interval requirement). [0053] The first base station evaluates 406 the survival time status of the UE, and it may determine to delay 407 the handover command transmission to the UE based at least partly on the survival time status. For example, the handover command transmission may be delayed, if ST−Y≤X, where ST denotes the maximum tolerable survival time requirement of the UE traffic, Y denotes the current survival time status, and X denotes the handover interruption time of the handover procedure being used. Otherwise, i.e. if ST−Y>X, the handover command may be sent without delay (i.e. handover delay rules). The first base station may also take into account additional information for deciding whether or not to delay the handover command (i.e. one or more handover delay rules)); and
performing the handover based at least in part on receiving the command ([0059], e.g. After receiving the handover command, the UE detaches 409 from the source cell and synchronizes to the target cell. The UE transmits 410 a handover complete message to the second base station).
NASEER teaches a method comprising evaluating a survival time status of a terminal device, determining a handover command based at least partly on the survival time status, and transmitting the handover command to the terminal device based on the determining. However, NASEER differs from the claimed invention in not specifically and clearly describing wherein
transmitting, to a source network node, a report that indicates a data burst interval and indicates whether to delay handover execution based at least in part on the data burst interval.
However, in the analogous field of endeavor, Bruhn teaches wherein
Transmitting [0294], e.g. various embodiments, the type of traffic measurements and/or predictions that the first network node may request or configure the UE to provide (i.e. transmitting) can include any of the following:),
to a source network node, a report that indicates a data burst interval and indicates whether to delay handover execution based at least in part on the data burst interval ([0493], e.g. In some embodiments, the exemplary method can also include the operations of block 1130, where the second network node can receive, from a plurality of UEs served by second network node, measurements and/or predictions of one or more of the following traffic metrics (i.e. UE transmits a report to a source Base station): data volume, packet size, bit rate, packet delay, packet delay jitter (i.e. delay handover execution), packet error rate, number of consecutive failed packets, inter-packet arrival time, service downtime, number of bursts in an application level message (i.e. a report that indicates a data burst interval), application level message size, end-to-end latency. In such embodiments, measuring and/or predicting the traffic for the second network node during the one or more time intervals in block 1150 is based on the measurements and/or predictions received from the plurality of UEs in block 1130).
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 Bruhn within the method of NASEER. The motivation to combine references is that the combined method provides techniques for improved network resource management based on measurements and/or predictions of data traffic of network nodes serving neighboring coverage areas, and migration of such data traffic into other coverage areas (See Bruhn [0001]).
Regarding claim 20, NASEER in view of Bruhn teaches all the limitations of claim 17. Bruhn further teaches wherein the report further indicates a requested duration by which to delay the handover execution ([0184], e.g. In some embodiments, at least some of the traffic status information reported by the second network node can be obtained from one or more UEs served by the second network node. Such traffic status information obtained from the UE(s) can include any of the following: … [0188] predicted packet delay jitter requested from a given time or within a given time window, [0189] predicted packet error rate requested from a given time or within a given time window, [0190] predicted number of consecutively failed package deliveries requested from a given time or within a given time window (i.e. indicates a requested duration by which to delay the handover execution), [0191] predicted number of bursts in an application level message).
The motivation to combine reference of Bruhn within the method of NASEER before the effective filing date of the invention is that the combined method provides improve techniques based on the traffic status information, including predicting a change in load and/or interference in a coverage area of the first network node, and mobility load balancing with respect to one or more user equipment (UEs) (See Bruhn ([abstract]).
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 2, 3, 6-9, 11, 13-16, 18 and 19 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.
Suzuki; Masaaki (US-20060209883-A1) - Mobile station and weighting control method.
Barber; Phillip (US-20110216738-A1) - Method and System for Mobile Station Acquisition.
Ryu; Jung Ho (US-20190159102-A1) - HANDOVER SCHEMES FOR MILLIMETER WAVE (MMW) WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS.
WANG; Xuelong (US-20230224383-A1) - EXTENDED REALITY (XR) TRAFFIC HANDLING.
NASEER-UL-ISLAM; Muhammad (US-20240107399-A1) - SURVIVAL TIME DEPENDENT FLEXIBLE HANDOVER EXECUTION.
Bulakci; Ömer (US-12101679-B2) - Survival time aware mobility.
VON HOYNINGEN-HUENE JOHANNE (WO-2023094593-A1) - DELAYING A HANDOVER PROCESS ON THE BASIS OF THE SUCCESS OF A PREVIOUS CYCLIC DATA TRANSMISSION.
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) .
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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.
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/MAHENDRA R PATEL/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2645
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