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 .
Introduction
The claims 1-20 are pending in this application. This is a non-final office action in response to Application Number 18/952,329 filed on 19 November 2024. The instant application is a CON of PCT/CN2022/110183 filed on 24 August 2022.
The applicant of record is Guangdong Oppo Mobile Telecommunications Corp., Ltd. in Dongguan, China. The application papers have been signed by a U.S.-registered patent practitioner. The inventors of record are Yi Zhang and Bin Liang.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 19 November 2024 was filed on the filing date of the instant application on 19 November 2024 and before the mailing date of the first office action on the merits. The submission is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
Claim Interpretation
The claims have been considered according to the latest Patent Eligibility Guidelines and are considered eligible.
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)(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 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Zhou (U.S. Patent Publication 2022/0353851).
Regarding claim 1, Zhou disclosed a terminal device, comprising:
a processor (see Zhou Fig. 10 #31 processor); and
a transceiver coupled with the processor (see Zhou Fig. 10 communication with external device; [0027]: new radio communication; examiner notes that transceiver is an inherent component for NR communication); and
a memory for storing an executable program for the processor (see Zhou Fig. 10 #32 memory; #325 program stored in memory);
wherein the processor is configured to load and execute the executable program to perform an operation of:
receiving a configuration of a time domain resource allocation (TDRA) table, wherein the TDRA table is associated with a first object, the first object comprises at least two cells (examiner notes that since this limitation describes information about a table, “two cells” can be interpreted as two cells within the table and can also be interpreted as information about two network cells; examiner recommends amending the claims to include additional details), and a TDRA element in the TDRA table comprises time domain resource allocation information for data channel corresponding to each cell in the first object (see Zhou [0115], Table 3 on page 6: example of a TDRA table; table includes multiple objects, configuration information for two cells, offsets for UL and DL, as well as mapping information for each cell | Fig. 9, [0202]: scheduling PDSCH based on TDRA table; [0072]: generating and transmitting one target DCI during scheduling of cells | Fig. 6, [0127]: #S13 constructing TDRA and BWP tables, #S101 determining length of each field in target DCI…, #S102 constructing a subfield for each field in the target DCI…, #S103 generate each field in the target DCI…,#S104 schedule the target cells based on the target DCI (examiner notes that Figure 6’s #S1043 is a subset of #S104 in Fig. 3), #S1043 query the TDRA and BWP tables based on fields in the DCI to obtain time-domain resource configuration information and BWP configuration information corresponding to each of the target cells, then configure the corresponding target cell based on the obtained time-domain resource configuration information and BWP configuration information).
Regarding claim 2, Zhou disclosed the terminal device of claim 1, wherein the first object is at least one of: a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) group; a cell group; or a cell set (examiner notes that a group or set may include a single cell or a plurality of cells | see Zhou [0115], Table 3 on page 6: TDRA table includes configuration information for two cells; [0118]: TDRA table may include three or more target cells).
Regarding claim 3, Zhou disclosed the terminal device of claim 2, wherein
each piece of time domain resource allocation information for data channel in the TDRA element corresponds to a cell index of one cell and one bandwidth part (BWP) index in the cell, and the cell is a cell in the first object (see Zhou [0115], Table 3 on page 6: TDRA table includes a TDRA index and configuration information for multiple cells; [0107] ,Table 2 on page 5: BWP table includes BWP index | Fig. 6, [0127]: constructing the TDRA table and the BWP configuration table, obtaining TDRA configuration information and BWP configuration corresponding to the target cells, and configuring target cells based on the BWP configuration information and the TDRA configuration information).
Regarding claim 4, Zhou disclosed the terminal device of claim 3, wherein the TDRA element comprises time domain resource allocation information for data channel of each BWP of each of N cells, and N is a number of cells in the first object (see Zhou [0115], Table 3 on page 6: example of a TDRA table; table includes multiple objects, configuration information for two cells, offsets for UL and DL, as well as mapping information for each cell; [0118]: TDRA table may include three or more target cells | Fig. 9, [0202]: scheduling PDSCH based on TDRA table | [0107] ,Table 2 on page 5: BWP table includes BWP index | Fig. 6, [0127]: constructing the TDRA table and the BWP configuration table, obtaining TDRA configuration information and BWP configuration corresponding to the target cells, and configuring target cells based on the BWP configuration information and the TDRA configuration information | examiner notes that the claimed “N” may be 1 or more).
Regarding claim 5, Zhou disclosed the terminal device of claim 4, wherein
the correspondence between the time domain resource allocation information for the data channels corresponding to the N cells in the TDRA element and the N cells is that: the time domain resource allocation information for the data channels corresponding to the N cells in the TDRA element is placed according to an ascending order of a cell index of the N cells (see Zhou [0115], Table 3 on page 6: example of a TDRA table; indexes are listed in ascending order; table includes multiple objects, configuration information for two cells, offsets for UL and DL, as well as mapping information for each cell; [0118]: TDRA table may include three or more target cells); and
the correspondence between the time domain resource allocation information for the data channels corresponding to each BWP of each cell in the TDRA element and the BWPs within the cell is that: the time domain resource allocation information for the data channels corresponding to each BWP of each cell in the TDRA element is placed according to an ascending order of a BWP index of the BWPs within the cell (see Zhou [0107] ,Table 2 on page 5: BWP table includes BWP index in ascending order | Fig. 6, [0127]: constructing the TDRA table and the BWP configuration table, obtaining TDRA configuration information and BWP configuration corresponding to the target cells, and configuring target cells based on the BWP configuration information and the TDRA configuration information).
Regarding claim 6, Zhou disclosed the terminal device of claim 3, wherein the TDRA table comprises:
a first TDRA table (see Zhou [0115], Table 3 on page 6: TDRA table includes configuration information for two cells; [0118]: TDRA table may include three or more target cells) and/or a second TDRA table;
wherein the first TDRA table is used for indicating time domain resource allocation information of Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) (see Zhou [0202]: TDRA table includes configuration information for multiple cells; Fig. 9, [0202]: scheduling PDSCH based on TDRA table); and the second TDRA table is used for indicating time domain resource allocation information of PUSCH (examiner notes that the claim scope only needs one of the two tables, so the details about the second table are optional).
Regarding claim 7, Zhou disclosed the terminal device of claim 6, wherein the first TDRA table and the second TDRA table are associated with the cell set (examiner notes that parent claim 6 described an “or” structure such that only one of the two tables is needed; examiner also notes that a cell set may include one or multiple cells | see Zhou [0115], Table 3 on page 6: TDRA table includes configuration information for two cells; [0118]: TDRA table may include three or more target cells).
Regarding claim 8, Zhou disclosed the terminal device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to load and execute the executable program to perform operations of:
obtaining TDRA indication information (see Zhou [0115], Table 3 on page 6: example of a TDRA table; table includes multiple objects, configuration information for two cells, offsets for UL and DL, as well as mapping information for each cell | Fig. 6, [0127]: #S13 constructing TDRA and BWP tables, #S101 determining length of each field in target DCI…, #S102 constructing a subfield for each field in the target DCI…, #S103 generate each field in the target DCI…,#S104 schedule the target cells based on the target DCI (examiner notes that Figure 6’s #S1043 is a subset of #S104 in Fig. 3), #S1043 query the TDRA and BWP tables based on fields in the DCI to obtain time-domain resource configuration information and BWP configuration information corresponding to each of the target cells, then configure the corresponding target cell based on the obtained time-domain resource configuration information and BWP configuration information); and
determining, in the TDRA table, time domain resource allocation information for data channel corresponding to each cell of a set of scheduled cells based on the TDRA indication information (see Zhou [0115], Table 3 on page 6: example of a TDRA table; table includes multiple objects, configuration information for two cells, offsets for UL and DL, as well as mapping information for each cell | Fig. 9, [0202]: scheduling PDSCH based on TDRA table | Fig. 6, [0127]: constructing TDRA and BWP tables, obtaining time-domain resource configuration information from table based on TDRA field in DCI; Fig. 3 #S104 schedule the target cells based on the target DCI; examiner notes that Figure 6’s #S1043 (obtaining configuration information…) is a subset of #S104).
Regarding claim 9, Zhou disclosed the terminal device of claim 8, wherein
the TDRA indication information is carried in Downlink Control Information (DCI) for scheduling a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) (see Zhou Fig. 9, [0202]: scheduling PDSCH based on TDRA table; Fig. 6 #S1043 configuring the corresponding target cell based on the obtained time-domain resource configuration information and BWP configuration information), the TDRA table is a first TDRA table (see Zhou [0115], Table 3 on page 6: TDRA table includes configuration information for two cells; [0118]: TDRA table may include three or more target cells), and the first TDRA table is used for indicating time domain resource allocation information of PDSCH (see Zhou [0202]: TDRA table includes configuration information for multiple cells; Fig. 9, [0202]: scheduling PDSCH based on TDRA table); and/or
the TDRA indication information is carried in a DCI for scheduling a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH), the TDRA table is a second TDRA table, and the second TDRA table is used for indicating time domain resource allocation information of PUSCH (examiner notes that the claim scope only needs one of the two tables, so the details about the second table are optional).
Regarding claim 10, Zhou disclosed the terminal device of claim 1, wherein
each piece of time domain resource allocation information for data channel in the TDRA element corresponds to a cell index of one cell and one bandwidth part (BWP) in the cell, the cell is a cell in the first object; and the TDRA table is associated with a cell set (examiner notes that “a set” may include one item or may include a plurality of items | see Zhou [0115], Table 3 on page 6: example of a TDRA table; table includes multiple objects, configuration information for two cells, offsets for UL and DL, as well as mapping information for each cell | [0117]: value in the TDRA field in the target DCI corresponds to the TDRA index in the table | [0107] ,Table 2 on page 5: BWP table includes BWP index; [0107]: value in the BWP indicator field in DCI corresponds to the BWP index in the table | Fig. 6, [0127]: constructing the TDRA table and the BWP configuration table, obtaining TDRA configuration information and BWP configuration corresponding to the target cells, and configuring target cells based on the BWP configuration information and the TDRA configuration information); and
wherein the processor is further configured to load and execute the executable program to perform an operation of:
determining time domain resource allocation information for data channel corresponding to each cell of a set of scheduled cells according to at least one of: a fourth TDRA element in the TDRA table, a set index of the set of scheduled cells, a cell index of the each cell, or an active BWP index of the each cell, wherein the fourth TDRA element corresponds to a fourth value; wherein the fourth value is determined based on fourth TDRA indication information (see Zhou [0115], Table 3 on page 6: example of a TDRA table; table includes multiple objects, configuration information for two cells, offsets for UL and DL, as well as mapping information for each cell | [0117]: value in the TDRA field in the target DCI corresponds to the TDRA index in the table | Fig. 6, [0127]: #S13 constructing TDRA and BWP tables, #S101 determining length of each field in target DCI…, #S102 constructing a subfield for each field in the target DCI…, #S103 generate each field in the target DCI…,#S104 schedule the target cells based on the target DCI (examiner notes that Figure 6’s #S1043 is a subset of #S104 in Fig. 3), #S1043 query the TDRA and BWP tables based on fields in the DCI to obtain time-domain resource configuration information and BWP configuration information corresponding to each of the target cells, then configure the corresponding target cell based on the obtained time-domain resource configuration information and BWP configuration information).
Regarding claim 11, Zhou disclosed the terminal device of claim 8, wherein a set index and/or a cell index of the set of scheduled cells are carried in a first indication field of Downlink Control Information (DCI) (see Zhou [0117]: value in the TDRA field in the target DCI corresponds to the TDRA index in the table; examiner notes that “a set” may include one item or may include a plurality of items).
Regarding claim 12, the claim contains the limitations, substantially as claimed, as described in claim 1 above. Examiner notes that claim 1 is directed towards a terminal device whereas claim 12 is directed towards a network device. Zhou disclosed, as recited in claim 12: A network device, comprising:
a processor (see Zhou Fig. 10 #31 processor); and
a transceiver coupled with the processor (see Zhou Fig. 10 communication with external device; [0027]: new radio communication; examiner notes that transceiver is an inherent component for NR communication); and
a memory for storing an executable program for the processor (see Zhou Fig. 10 #32 memory; #325 program stored in memory);
wherein the processor is configured to load and execute the executable program to perform an operation of:
transmitting a configuration of a time domain resource allocation (TDRA) table, wherein the TDRA table is associated with a first object, the first object comprises at least two cells (examiner notes that since this limitation describes information about a table, “two cells” can be interpreted as two cells within the table and can also be interpreted as information about two network cells; examiner recommends amending the claims to include additional details), and a TDRA element in the TDRA table comprises time domain resource allocation information for data channel corresponding to each cell in the first object (see Zhou [0115], Table 3 on page 6: example of a TDRA table; table includes multiple objects, configuration information for two cells, offsets for UL and DL, as well as mapping information for each cell | Fig. 9, [0202]: scheduling PDSCH based on TDRA table; [0072]: generating and transmitting one target DCI during scheduling of cells | Fig. 6, [0127]: #S13 constructing TDRA and BWP tables, #S101 determining length of each field in target DCI…, #S102 constructing a subfield for each field in the target DCI…, #S103 generate each field in the target DCI…,#S104 schedule the target cells based on the target DCI (examiner notes that Figure 6’s #S1043 is a subset of #S104 in Fig. 3), #S1043 query the TDRA and BWP tables based on fields in the DCI to obtain time-domain resource configuration information and BWP configuration information corresponding to each of the target cells, then configure the corresponding target cell based on the obtained time-domain resource configuration information and BWP configuration information).
Regarding claim 13, the claim contains the limitations, substantially as claimed, as described in claim 2 above and is rejected under Zhou according to the rationale provided above.
Regarding claim 14, the claim contains the limitations, substantially as claimed, as described in claim 3 above and is rejected under Zhou according to the rationale provided above.
Regarding claim 15, the claim contains the limitations, substantially as claimed, as described in claim 4 above and is rejected under Zhou according to the rationale provided above.
Regarding claim 16, the claim contains the limitations, substantially as claimed, as described in claim 6 above and is rejected under Zhou according to the rationale provided above.
Regarding claim 17, the claim contains the limitations, substantially as claimed, as described in claim 7 above and is rejected under Zhou according to the rationale provided above.
Regarding claim 18, the claim contains the limitations, substantially as claimed, as described in claim 8 above and is rejected under Zhou according to the rationale provided above.
Regarding claim 19, the claim contains the limitations, substantially as claimed, as described in claim 9 above and is rejected under Zhou according to the rationale provided above.
Regarding claim 20, the claim contains the limitations, substantially as claimed, as described in claim 10 above and is rejected under Zhou according to the rationale provided above.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Angela Widhalm de Rodriguez whose telephone number is (571)272-1035. The examiner can normally be reached M-F: 6am-2:30pm EST.
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/ANGELA WIDHALM DE RODRIGUEZ/Examiner, Art Unit 2443
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