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 .
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 24th December 2024 and 26th November 2025 are in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
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Double Patenting
Claims 21 – 40 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1 – 20 of U.S. Patent No. 12,143,990 B2 (990 patent); claims 1 – 20 of U.S. Patent No. 11,595,979 B2 (979 patent); and, claims 1 – 20 of U.S. Patent No. 10,887,903 B2 (903 patent). Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because of the following explanation.
The current application independent Claim 21 cites:
a method comprising:
receiving, by a wireless device, one or more radio resource control (RRC) messages comprising configuration parameters, of a cell, indicating a first bandwidth part (BWP) and a second BWP;
receiving a first downlink control information (DCI) scheduling one or more first uplink resources for a first transmission of a first uplink transport block (TB) via the first BWP of the cell;
receiving, before the first transmission of the first uplink TB, a second DCI indicating: a switching from the first BWP to the second BWP of the cell; and one or more second uplink resources for a second transmission of a second uplink TB via the second BWP; and
in response to the receiving the second DCI before the first transmission of the first uplink TB:
not transmitting the first transmission of the first uplink TB; and transmitting the second uplink TB via the second BWP.
The 990 patent independent Claim 1 cites:
a method comprising: transmitting, by a base station, one or more radio resource control (RRC) messages comprising configuration parameters indicating a first bandwidth part (BWP) and a second BWP; transmitting a first downlink control information (DCI) scheduling one or more first uplink resources for a first reception of a first uplink transport block (TB) from a wireless device via the first BWP; transmitting, before the first reception of the first uplink TB, a second DCI indicating: switching from the first BWP to the second BWP; and one or more second uplink resources for a second reception of a second uplink TB from the wireless device via the second BWP; and canceling the first reception of the first uplink TB in response to the transmitting the second DCI before the first reception of the first uplink TB.
The 979 patent independent Claim 1 cites:
a method comprising: receiving, by a wireless device, one or more radio resource control (RRC) messages comprising configuration parameters of a cell, indicating a first bandwidth part (BWP) and a second BWP; receiving a first downlink control information (DCI) scheduling one or more first uplink resources for a first transmission of a first uplink transport block (TB) via the first BWP of the cell; receiving, before the first transmission of the first uplink TB, a second DCI indicating: a switching from the first BWP to the second BWP of the cell; and one or more second uplink resources for a second transmission of a second uplink TB via the second BWP; and canceling the first transmission of the first uplink TB in response to the receiving the second DCI before the first transmission of the first uplink TB.
The 903 patent independent Claim 1 cites:
a method comprising: receiving, by a wireless device, at least one message comprising: first configuration parameters of a first bandwidth part; and second configuration parameters of a second bandwidth part, the second configuration parameters comprising a scheduling request configuration indicating scheduling request resources for a logical channel; triggering a scheduling request in response to data becoming available for the logical channel; starting a random access process, by transmitting a random access preamble, in response to a valid scheduling request resource for the logical channel not being available on the first bandwidth part; receiving a downlink control information indicating switching from the first bandwidth part to the second bandwidth part; and in response to the scheduling request resources being available on the second bandwidth part: canceling the random access process; and transmitting a scheduling request signal via the scheduling request resources.
Based on the underlined portions above:
The 990 patent performs the same “reciprocal” process, by a base station, as the current application which is performed on a wireless device side.
The 979 patent performs essentially the same process, also by a wireless device, as the current application.
The 903 patent, performed by a wireless device, involves sending on a second bandwidth part and canceling sending on a first bandwidth part based on configuration parameters received by the wireless device – the process has close similarities to the 990 patent, the 979 patent and the current application claims – also, the 903 patent is a parent of the current application.
Therefore, a proper terminal disclaimer is required.
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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)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 21 – 40 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by LEE et al (US 2020/0235896 A1).
Claim 21. LEE shows a method (abstract) comprising:
receiving, by a wireless device (fig. 8: UE), one or more radio resource control (RRC) messages comprising configuration parameters, of a cell, indicating a first bandwidth part (BWP) and a second BWP (fig. 6 and [0106]: the network can configure multiple BWPs to a UE via radio resource control (RRC) signaling, which may overlap in frequency; [0119]: if two BWPs (i.e. BWP #1 and BWP #2) are configured for PSCell and BW of BWP #1 and BWP #2 are 5 GHz and 10 GHz, respectively, the UE may consider that BWP #2 (i.e. the widest BWP) is the primary BWP);
receiving a first downlink control information (DCI) scheduling one or more first uplink resources for a first transmission of a first uplink transport block (TB) via the first BWP of the cell ([0107]: the numerology of the UL BWP configuration is used at least for the Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH), Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) and corresponding DMRS; [0108]: the DCI based mechanism, although more prompt than the one based on MAC CE, requires additional consideration for error case handling, i.e. the case when a UE fails to decode the DCI containing the BWP activation/deactivation command);
receiving, before the first transmission of the first uplink TB, a second DCI ([0139]: the message may include one or more of a BWP index indicating to the first BWP (i.e. deactivated BWP), a BWP index indicating to the second BWP (i.e. particular BWP), a cause indicating expiry of the deactivation timer, and/or a confirmation of deactivation of the first BWP) indicating: a switching from the first BWP to the second BWP of the cell ([0136]: the UE may perform one or more of the following actions in order to switch from the first BWP to a second BWP (i.e. particular BWP) wherein the second BWP (i.e. particular BWP) may be indicated by the base station via system information or a dedicated signaling); and one or more second uplink resources for a second transmission of a second uplink TB via the second BWP ([0142]: the SCG failure information may include one or more of a BWP index indicating to the first BWP (i.e. deactivated BWP), a BWP index indicating to the second BWP (i.e. particular BWP), a cause indicating expiry of the deactivation timer, and/or a confirmation of deactivation of the first BWP; [0145]: the UE may perform uplink transmission to the base station via the activated second BWP); and
in response to the receiving the second DCI before the first transmission of the first uplink TB (see above):
not transmitting the first transmission of the first uplink TB ([0155]: the UE may initiate a RRC re-establishment procedure to select a cell if the problem of the first bandwidth part is detected, wherein the second bandwidth part is activated among bandwidth parts of the cell); and transmitting the second uplink TB via the second BWP ([0162]: the processor may control the transceiver to perform uplink transmission to a base station via the activated second bandwidth part).
Claim 22. LEE shows the method of claim 21, further comprising performing the switching from the first BWP to the second BWP of the cell ([0136]: the UE may perform one or more of the following actions in order to switch from the first BWP to a second BWP (i.e. particular BWP)).
Claim 23. LEE shows the method of claim 22, wherein the receiving the second DCI is before the wireless device performing the switching from the first BWP to the second BWP of the cell ([0108]: to help to recover from such a DCI lost case, the activation/deactivation of DL BWP (or DL/UL BWP pair for the case of unpaired spectrum) by means of timer is also introduced).
Claim 24. LEE shows the method of claim 23, wherein the second DCI comprises a field indicating an identifier of the second BWP ([0136]: the second BWP (i.e. particular BWP) may be indicated by the base station via system information or a dedicated signaling).
Claim 25. LEE shows the method of claim 24, wherein the wireless device receives the second DCI after the receiving the first DCI ([0142]: the SCG failure information may include one or more of a BWP index indicating to the first BWP (i.e. deactivated BWP), a BWP index indicating to the second BWP (i.e. particular BWP), a cause indicating expiry of the deactivation timer, and/or a confirmation of deactivation of the first BWP).
Claim 26. LEE shows the method of claim 25, wherein the first transmission of the first uplink TB is scheduled at a time after the wireless device performs the switching from the first BWP to the second BWP of the cell ([0136]: the UE may perform one or more of the following actions in order to switch from the first BWP to a second BWP (i.e. particular BWP); [0139]: the message may include one or more of a BWP index indicating to the first BWP (i.e. deactivated BWP), a BWP index indicating to the second BWP (i.e. particular BWP), a cause indicating expiry of the deactivation timer, and/or a confirmation of deactivation of the first BWP; [0140]: the UE may send scheduling request (SR) on PUCCH on the second BWP (i.e. particular BWP)).
Claim 27. LEE shows the method of claim 26, further comprising creating the first uplink TB in response to the receiving the first DCI ([0108]: to help to recover from such a DCI lost case, the activation/deactivation of DL BWP (or DL/UL BWP pair for the case of unpaired spectrum) by means of timer is also introduced… if a UE is not scheduled for a certain amount of time, i.e. expiration of timer, the UE switches its active DL BWP (or DL/UL BWP pair) to the default one wherein there is an initial active BWP for a UE during the initial access until the UE is explicitly configured with BWPs during or after RRC connection establishment).
Claim 28. LEE shows the method of claim 22, wherein the second DCI comprises a field indicating an identifier of the second BWP ([0136]: the base station may inform the UE of the second BWP (i.e. particular BWP) via system information or a dedicated signaling).
Claim 29. LEE shows the method of claim 22, wherein the first transmission of the first uplink TB is scheduled at a time after the wireless device performing the switching from the first BWP to the second BWP of the cell ([0169]: the BS may receive a data from the UE via a second bandwidth part, after the deactivation timer initiated by the UE is expired and a problem of a first bandwidth part is detected by the UE).
Claim 30. LEE shows the method of claim 21, wherein the second DCI comprises a field indicating an identifier of the second BWP ([0136]: the base station may inform the UE of the second BWP (i.e. particular BWP) via system information or a dedicated signaling).
Claim 31. LEE shows the method of claim 30, wherein the wireless device receives the second DCI after the receiving the first DCI ([0169]: the BS may receive a data from the UE via a second bandwidth part, after the deactivation timer initiated by the UE is expired and a problem of a first bandwidth part is detected by the UE).
Claim 32. LEE shows the method of claim 31, wherein the first transmission of the first uplink TB is scheduled at a time after the wireless device performing the switching from the first BWP to the second BWP of the cell ([0136]: the UE may perform one or more of the following actions in order to switch from the first BWP to a second BWP (i.e. particular BWP); [0139]: the message may include one or more of a BWP index indicating to the first BWP (i.e. deactivated BWP), a BWP index indicating to the second BWP (i.e. particular BWP), a cause indicating expiry of the deactivation timer, and/or a confirmation of deactivation of the first BWP; [0142]: the SCG failure information may include one or more of a BWP index indicating to the first BWP (i.e. deactivated BWP), a BWP index indicating to the second BWP (i.e. particular BWP), a cause indicating expiry of the deactivation timer, and/or a confirmation of deactivation of the first BWP).
Claim 33. LEE shows the method of claim 32, further comprising creating the first uplink TB in response to the receiving the first DCI ([0108]: to help to recover from such a DCI lost case, the activation/deactivation of DL BWP (or DL/UL BWP pair for the case of unpaired spectrum) by means of timer is also introduced… if a UE is not scheduled for a certain amount of time, i.e. expiration of timer, the UE switches its active DL BWP (or DL/UL BWP pair) to the default one wherein there is an initial active BWP for a UE during the initial access until the UE is explicitly configured with BWPs during or after RRC connection establishment).
Claim 34. LEE shows the method of claim 30, wherein the first transmission of the first uplink TB is scheduled at a time after the wireless device performing the switching from the first BWP to the second BWP of the cell ([0136]: the UE may perform one or more of the following actions in order to switch from the first BWP to a second BWP (i.e. particular BWP); [0139]: the message may include one or more of a BWP index indicating to the first BWP (i.e. deactivated BWP), a BWP index indicating to the second BWP (i.e. particular BWP), a cause indicating expiry of the deactivation timer, and/or a confirmation of deactivation of the first BWP; [0169]: the BS may receive a data from the UE via a second bandwidth part, after the deactivation timer initiated by the UE is expired and a problem of a first bandwidth part is detected by the UE).
Claim 35. LEE shows the method of claim 21, wherein the wireless device receives the second DCI after the receiving the first DCI ([0169]: the BS may receive a data from the UE via a second bandwidth part, after the deactivation timer initiated by the UE is expired and a problem of a first bandwidth part is detected by the UE).
Claim 36. LEE shows the method of claim 35, wherein the first transmission of the first uplink TB is scheduled at a time after the wireless device performing the switching from the first BWP to the second BWP of the cell ([0136]: the UE may perform one or more of the following actions in order to switch from the first BWP to a second BWP (i.e. particular BWP); [0139]: the message may include one or more of a BWP index indicating to the first BWP (i.e. deactivated BWP), a BWP index indicating to the second BWP (i.e. particular BWP), a cause indicating expiry of the deactivation timer, and/or a confirmation of deactivation of the first BWP; [0142]: the SCG failure information may include one or more of a BWP index indicating to the first BWP (i.e. deactivated BWP), a BWP index indicating to the second BWP (i.e. particular BWP), a cause indicating expiry of the deactivation timer, and/or a confirmation of deactivation of the first BWP).
Claim 37. LEE shows the method of claim 36, further comprising creating the first uplink TB in response to the receiving the first DCI ([0108]: to help to recover from such a DCI lost case, the activation/deactivation of DL BWP (or DL/UL BWP pair for the case of unpaired spectrum) by means of timer is also introduced… if a UE is not scheduled for a certain amount of time, i.e. expiration of timer, the UE switches its active DL BWP (or DL/UL BWP pair) to the default one wherein there is an initial active BWP for a UE during the initial access until the UE is explicitly configured with BWPs during or after RRC connection establishment).
Claim 38. LEE shows the method of claim 21, wherein the first transmission of the first uplink TB is scheduled at a time after the wireless device performing the switching from the first BWP to the second BWP of the cell ([0136]: the UE may perform one or more of the following actions in order to switch from the first BWP to a second BWP (i.e. particular BWP); [0139]: the message may include one or more of a BWP index indicating to the first BWP (i.e. deactivated BWP), a BWP index indicating to the second BWP (i.e. particular BWP), a cause indicating expiry of the deactivation timer, and/or a confirmation of deactivation of the first BWP).
Claim 39. LEE shows the method of claim 38, further comprising creating the first uplink TB in response to the receiving the first DCI ([0108]: to help to recover from such a DCI lost case, the activation/deactivation of DL BWP (or DL/UL BWP pair for the case of unpaired spectrum) by means of timer is also introduced… if a UE is not scheduled for a certain amount of time, i.e. expiration of timer, the UE switches its active DL BWP (or DL/UL BWP pair) to the default one wherein there is an initial active BWP for a UE during the initial access until the UE is explicitly configured with BWPs during or after RRC connection establishment).
Claim 40. LEE shows the method of claim 21, further comprising creating the first uplink TB in response to the receiving the first DCI ([0108]: to help to recover from such a DCI lost case, the activation/deactivation of DL BWP (or DL/UL BWP pair for the case of unpaired spectrum) by means of timer is also introduced… if a UE is not scheduled for a certain amount of time, i.e. expiration of timer, the UE switches its active DL BWP (or DL/UL BWP pair) to the default one wherein there is an initial active BWP for a UE during the initial access until the UE is explicitly configured with BWPs during or after RRC connection establishment).
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Conclusion
The prior art made of record is considered pertinent to applicant’s disclosure.
1. Tang, US 2020/0252936 A1: a bandwidth part switching method that comprises steps of when a first BWP is switched to a second BWP at a physical layer, switching the parameters of a MAC layer from a first parameter to a second parameter, wherein the first parameter corresponds to the first BWP, and the second parameter corresponds to the second BWP; and according to the second parameter, performing an operation corresponding to the MAC layer.
2. Lin, US 2020/0112976 A1: a method for transmitting data wherein the method includes receiving, by a terminal device, first indication information sent by a network device, where the first indication information indicates that data is capable of being transmitted on a semi-persistent scheduling resource within a first bandwidth part BWP of at least one BWP and where the first BWP is in an active state; determining, by the terminal device, the semi-persistent scheduling resource within the first BWP according to the first indication information; and performing, by the terminal device, data transmission on the semi-persistent scheduling resource within the first BWP with the network device. The method, the terminal device and the network device in the embodiments of the present application are beneficial to improving an accuracy of data transmission.
3. Lin, US 2019/0199592 A1: an activation method for a Bandwidth Part (BWP) including a terminal receives a first downlink control signaling DCI, the first DCI is used by a scheduling terminal to transmit uplink data through a physical uplink shared channel PUSCH in a target time unit; the terminal receives a second DCI, and the feedback response information of the second DCI is transmitted in the target time unit, and the transmitting time of the second DCI is before the target time unit or the same as the target time unit; the terminal determines, according to the transmitting time of the second DCI, the feedback response information for the transmission of the second DCI through the PUSCH in the target time unit.
4. Chen et al, US 2019/0132092 A1: a method for wireless communication, comprising establishing a connection with a user equipment (UE) using a component carrier (CC), the CC having two or more bandwidth parts (BWPs) each BWP having a portion of a frequency bandwidth of a primary CC; transmitting signaling that indicates a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration or other types of pre-configured resources associated with at least a first BWP of the plurality of BWPs; and receiving or transmitting using at least the first BWP according to the SPS configuration or other types of pre-configured resources associated with at least the first BWP.
5. Li et al, US 2019/0082425 A1: a method of wireless communication operable at a user equipment (UE), comprising transmitting a capability report to a scheduling entity, the capability report indicating a capability of the UE to utilize at least one of carrier aggregation (CA) or one or more bandwidth parts; receiving a command from the scheduling entity to reconfigure at least one of a carrier aggregation (CA) configuration or a bandwidth part (BWP) configuration; and transmitting an acknowledgment (ACK) of the command using a timing based on the capability report.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Xavier Szewai Wong whose telephone number is 571.270.1780. The examiner can normally be reached on 11:30 am - 8:30 pm Mon to Fri.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Jeffrey Rutkowski can be reached on 571.270.1215. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/XAVIER S WONG/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2415 8th October 2026
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