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
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, and 16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Chen et al (US 2022/0166578) [R1].
For claims 1, 8, and 15, R1 discloses comprising a memory and a processor, wherein the memory is configured to store a computer program, the processor is configured to execute the computer program to cause the terminal device to perform a method including (paragraphs 25, 553-555, claims 19, 20 processor, memory, CRM, instructions): determining phase tracking reference signal PTRS information based on a demodulation reference signal DMRS configuration (see paragraphs 80-110 and 278-407, particularly paragraphs 82-89, 100, 278-290 311-319, 382 a terminal determines a configuration parameter of a PTRS, like power, the power parameter of the PTRS is determined according to a value of an OCC of the associated DMRS); and determining a transmission parameter of a PTRS based on the PTRS information (see paragraphs 80-110 and 278-407, particularly paragraphs 82-89, 100, 278-290 311-319, 382), wherein the PTRS information comprises one or more of following information: PTRS power boost value information, a PTRS port and DMRS port association, or an information length of a PTRS port and DMRS port association indication in downlink control information DCI (see paragraphs 80-110 and 278-407, particularly paragraphs 82-89, 100, 278-290 311-319, 382 an offset of the power of the PTRS relative to other reference signals, power parameter includes a poweroffset value, the PTRS is associated with a DMRS,), wherein the DMRS configuration comprises a length of a frequency-domain orthogonal cover code OCC (see paragraphs 80-110 and 278-407, particularly paragraphs 82-89, 100, 278-290 311-319, 382 power parameter of the PTRS is determined according to a value of an OCC, a longer OCC indicates more multiplexed reference signals, and a single port has lower PTRS power).
For claims 2, 9, and 16, R1 discloses the DMRS configuration further comprises a DMRS type (see paragraphs 80-110 and 278-407, particularly paragraphs 82-89, 100, 278-290 311-319, 382, see also paragraphs 324-327).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
Claims 3-7, 10-14, and 17-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over R1.
For claim 3, 10, and 17, R1 does not explicitly state in a case that the DMRS configuration is Rel-15 DMRS, the PTRS power boost value information indicates a PTRS power boost value only for a quantity of transmission layers ranging from 1 to 4, or the PTRS power boost value information indicates a PTRS power boost value only for a quantity of transmission layers ranging from 1 to 6; and in a case that the DMRS configuration is Rel-18 enhanced DMRS, the PTRS power boost value information indicates a PTRS power boost value for a quantity of transmission layers ranging from 1 to 8. However, Examiner takes Official Notice that the use of in a case that the DMRS configuration is Rel-15 DMRS, the PTRS power boost value information indicates a PTRS power boost value only for a quantity of transmission layers ranging from 1 to 4, or the PTRS power boost value information indicates a PTRS power boost value only for a quantity of transmission layers ranging from 1 to 6; and in a case that the DMRS configuration is Rel-18 enhanced DMRS, the PTRS power boost value information indicates a PTRS power boost value for a quantity of transmission layers ranging from 1 to 8 was common and well known in the art prior to the effective filing date. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art prior to the effective filing date of the invention to modify R1 to use in a case that the DMRS configuration is Rel-15 DMRS, the PTRS power boost value information indicates a PTRS power boost value only for a quantity of transmission layers ranging from 1 to 4, or the PTRS power boost value information indicates a PTRS power boost value only for a quantity of transmission layers ranging from 1 to 6; and in a case that the DMRS configuration is Rel-18 enhanced DMRS, the PTRS power boost value information indicates a PTRS power boost value for a quantity of transmission layers ranging from 1 to 8. The technical reasoning to combine would be to achieve an accurate phase noise estimation, to use standard design options increasing marketability and to increase compatibility.
For claims 4, 11, and 18, R1 does not explicitly state the length of the frequency-domain OCC corresponding to the Rel-15 DMRS is 2, and the length of the frequency-domain OCC corresponding to the Rel-18 enhanced DMRS is 4. However, Examiner takes Official Notice that the use of the length of the frequency-domain OCC corresponding to the Rel-15 DMRS is 2, and the length of the frequency-domain OCC corresponding to the Rel-18 enhanced DMRS is 4 was common and well known in the art prior to the effective filing date. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art prior to the effective filing date of the invention to modify R1 to use the length of the frequency-domain OCC corresponding to the Rel-15 DMRS is 2, and the length of the frequency-domain OCC corresponding to the Rel-18 enhanced DMRS is 4. The technical reasoning to combine would be to achieve an accurate phase noise estimation, to use standard design options increasing marketability and to increase compatibility.
For claims 5, 12, and 19, R1 does not explicitly state the length of the frequency-domain OCC is configured by higher layer signalling. However, Examiner takes Official Notice that the use of the length of the frequency-domain OCC is configured by higher layer signalling was common and well known in the art prior to the effective filing date. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art prior to the effective filing date of the invention to modify R1 to the length of the frequency-domain OCC is configured by higher layer signalling. The technical reasoning to combine would be to achieve an accurate phase noise estimation, to use standard design options increasing marketability and to increase compatibility.
For claims 6, 13, and 20, R1 does not explicitly state in a case that the DMRS configuration is the Rel-15 DMRS and a DMRS type is a type 1, the PTRS power boost value information indicates a PTRS power boost value only for a quantity of transmission layers ranging from 1 to 4; and in a case that the DMRS configuration is the Rel-18 enhanced DMRS and the DMRS type is a type 2, the PTRS power boost value information indicates a PTRS power boost value only for a quantity of transmission layers ranging from 1 to 6. However, Examiner takes Official Notice that the use of in a case that the DMRS configuration is the Rel-15 DMRS and a DMRS type is a type 1, the PTRS power boost value information indicates a PTRS power boost value only for a quantity of transmission layers ranging from 1 to 4; and in a case that the DMRS configuration is the Rel-18 enhanced DMRS and the DMRS type is a type 2, the PTRS power boost value information indicates a PTRS power boost value only for a quantity of transmission layers ranging from 1 to 6 was common and well known in the art prior to the effective filing date. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art prior to the effective filing date of the invention to modify R1 to use in a case that the DMRS configuration is the Rel-15 DMRS and a DMRS type is a type 1, the PTRS power boost value information indicates a PTRS power boost value only for a quantity of transmission layers ranging from 1 to 4; and in a case that the DMRS configuration is the Rel-18 enhanced DMRS and the DMRS type is a type 2, the PTRS power boost value information indicates a PTRS power boost value only for a quantity of transmission layers ranging from 1 to 6. The technical reasoning to combine would be to achieve an accurate phase noise estimation, to use standard design options increasing marketability and to increase compatibility.
For claims 7 and 14, R1 does not explicitly state in a case in which a quantity of PTRS ports is 1, in a case that the length of the frequency-domain OCC is 2, the PTRS port and DMRS port association comprises a correspondence between the PTRS port and DMRS port association indication in the DCI and candidate four or six DMRS ports association with the PTRS port; and in a case that the length of the frequency-domain OCC is 4, the PTRS port and DMRS port association comprises a correspondence between the PTRS port and DMRS port association indication in the DCI and candidate eight or four DMRS ports association with the PTRS port, wherein four DMRS ports of the eight DMRS ports or the four DMRS ports correspond to a same codeword. However, Examiner takes Official Notice that the use of in a case in which a quantity of PTRS ports is 1, in a case that the length of the frequency-domain OCC is 2, the PTRS port and DMRS port association comprises a correspondence between the PTRS port and DMRS port association indication in the DCI and candidate four or six DMRS ports association with the PTRS port; and in a case that the length of the frequency-domain OCC is 4, the PTRS port and DMRS port association comprises a correspondence between the PTRS port and DMRS port association indication in the DCI and candidate eight or four DMRS ports association with the PTRS port, wherein four DMRS ports of the eight DMRS ports or the four DMRS ports correspond to a same codeword was common and well known in the art prior to the effective filing date. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art prior to the effective filing date of the invention to modify R1 to use in a case in which a quantity of PTRS ports is 1, in a case that the length of the frequency-domain OCC is 2, the PTRS port and DMRS port association comprises a correspondence between the PTRS port and DMRS port association indication in the DCI and candidate four or six DMRS ports association with the PTRS port; and in a case that the length of the frequency-domain OCC is 4, the PTRS port and DMRS port association comprises a correspondence between the PTRS port and DMRS port association indication in the DCI and candidate eight or four DMRS ports association with the PTRS port, wherein four DMRS ports of the eight DMRS ports or the four DMRS ports correspond to a same codeword. The technical reasoning to combine would be to achieve an accurate phase noise estimation, to use standard design options increasing marketability and to increase compatibility.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure: Yamada et al (US 2021/0091902) discloses PTRS and DMRS port usage.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to CHRISTOPHER R CROMPTON whose telephone number is (571)270-3678. The examiner can normally be reached 10AM-4PM ET M-Th.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Asad Nawaz can be reached at (571)272-3988. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/CHRISTOPHER R CROMPTON/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2463
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