NON-FINAL REJECTION
This action is responsive to communications: The application as filed February 27, 2025.
The instant 19/065,833 application is a reissue of U.S. Pat. 10,455,558 to Rico Alvarino et al. (“the ‘558 Patent”), which issued October 22, 2019 from application 15/498,246, filed April 26, 2017.
By way of priority, the instant underlying Patent is deemed to have an effective filing date of May 13, 2016.
Claims 1-96 were initially pending in the application. An amendment was filed with the application amending claims 1, 8, 25, 32, 49, 56, 73, and 80. Claims 1-96 are pending and are rejected below.
This action is Non-Final.
Reissue
Applicant is reminded of the continuing obligation under 37 CFR 1.178(b), to timely apprise the Office of any prior or concurrent proceed-ing in which Patent No. 10,455,558 is or was involved. These proceedings would include interferences, reissues, reexaminations, and litigation.
Applicant is further reminded of the continuing obligation under 37 CFR 1.56, to timely apprise the Office of any information which is mate-rial to patentability of the claims under consideration in this reissue appli-cation.
These obligations rest with each individual associated with the filing and prosecution of this application for reissue. See also MPEP §§ 1404, 1442.01 and 1442.04.
Applicant is notified that any subsequent amendment to the specification and/or claims must comply with 37 CFR 1.173(b).
Because the instant application appears to contain a claim having an effective date on or after March 16, 2013, the America Invents Act First Inventor to File (“AIA -FITF”) provisions apply rather than pre-AIA “First to Invent” provisions. See 35 U.S.C. § 100 (note). In the event the determination of the status of the application 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.
Reissue Amendment
The amendment filed with the application is objected to for the following:
Claim 91 does not include a parenthetical expression “Amended” after the claim number in accordance with 37 CFR 1.173(b)(2).
A proper amendment is required in response to this Office action.
Claim Interpretation
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(f):
(f) Element in Claim for a Combination. – An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
The claims in this application are given their broadest reasonable interpretation using the plain meaning of the claim language in light of the specification as it would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The broadest reasonable interpretation of a claim element (also commonly referred to as a claim limitation) is limited by the description in the specification when §112(f) is invoked.
As explained in MPEP § 2181, subsection I, claim limitations that meet the following three-prong test will be interpreted under §112(f):
(A) the claim limitation uses the term “means” or “step” or a term used as a substitute for “means” that is a generic placeholder (also called a nonce term or a non-structural term having no specific structural meaning) for performing the claimed function;
(B) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is modified by functional language, typically, but not always linked by the transition word “for” (e.g., “means for”) or another linking word or phrase, such as “configured to” or “so that”; and
(C) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is not modified by sufficient structure, material, or acts for performing the claimed function.
Use of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim with functional language creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is to be treated in accordance with§112(f). The presumption that the claim limitation is interpreted under §112(f) is rebutted when the claim limitation recites sufficient structure, material, or acts to entirely perform the recited function.
Absence of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is not to be treated in accordance with §112(f). The presumption that the claim limitation is not interpreted under §112(f) is rebutted when the claim limitation recites function without reciting sufficient structure, material or acts to entirely perform the recited function.
Claim limitations in this application that use the word “means” (or “step”) are being interpreted under §112(f) except as otherwise indicated in an Office action. Conversely, claim limitations in this application that do not use the word “means” (or “step”) are not being interpreted under §112(f) except as otherwise indicated in an Office action.
This application includes one or more claim limitations using means plus function format. They are as follows:
In claim 25, “means for receiving a query from a base station”;
In claim 25, “means for, in response to the query, providing an indication to the BS of the switching capability information of the UE”;
In claim 31, “means for receiving a CA configuration in response to providing the indication”;
In claim 32, “means for sending a query to a user equipment (UE) for capability information of the UE”;
In claim 32, “means for, in response to the query, receiving an indication of switching capability information of the UE”;
In claim 38, “means for providing a CA configuration in response to receiving the indication”;
In claim 39, “means for interrupting an uplink transmission on a first component carrier (CC) to switch between the first CC and a second CC to transmit an uplink reference signal on the second CC”;
In claim 39, “means for adjusting one or more parameters or parameter values of the uplink transmission on the first CC to account for the interrupting communication on the second CC”;
In claim 46, “means for receiving a set of parameter values, from a base station (BS)”;
In claim 46, “means for determining the adjustment for the one or more parameters or parameter values based on the received set of parameters values and the associated durations or uplink transmission types”;
In claim 48, “means for receiving an indication from a base station (BS) of the adjustment for the one or more parameters or parameter values”;
Looking to the specification, the Examiner determines the appropriate structure under §112(f) as follows.
As to limitation 1, the means for receiving a query is defined in the disclosure as a receiver in FIG 4. ‘558 Patent at 21:15-20.
As to limitation 2, the means for providing an indication is defined in the disclosure as a transmitter in FIG 4. ‘558 Patent at 21:10-15.
As to limitation 3, the means for receiving a CA configuration is not defined in the disclosure, and cannot appropriately be defined as the same means for receiving in limitation 1 as the two means are separately claimed. Thus as the corresponding structure cannot be ascertained, the claim is rejected below under §112(b).
As to limitation 4, the means for sending a query is not defined in the disclosure. Thus as the corresponding structure cannot be ascertained, the claim is rejected below under §112(b).
As to limitation 5, the means for receiving an indication is not defined in the disclosure. Thus as the corresponding structure cannot be ascertained, the claim is rejected below under §112(b).
As to limitation 6, the means for providing a CA configuration is not defined in the disclosure. Thus as the corresponding structure cannot be ascertained, the claim is rejected below under §112(b).
As to limitation 7, the means for interrupting is defined in the disclosure as a processor in FIG 4. ‘558 Patent at 21:1-10.
As to limitation 8, the means for adjusting is defined in the disclosure as a processor in FIG 4. ‘558 Patent at 21:1-10. Note that this must be a separate processor of the “one or more processors” described as the two means of the claim are separately claimed, and the claim cannot be considered as a single means claim. MPEP § 2181 V.
As to limitation 9, the means for receiving is not defined in the disclosure. Thus as the corresponding structure cannot be ascertained, the claim is rejected below under §112(b).
As to limitation 10, the means for determining is not defined in the disclosure. Thus as the corresponding structure cannot be ascertained, the claim is rejected below under §112(b).
As to limitation 11, the means for receiving an indication is not defined in the disclosure. Thus as the corresponding structure cannot be ascertained, the claim is rejected below under §112(b).
This application includes one or more claim limitations that do not use the word “means,” but are nonetheless being interpreted under §112(f) because the claim limitation(s) uses a generic placeholder that is coupled with functional language without reciting sufficient structure to perform the recited function and the generic placeholder is not preceded by a structural modifier. Such claim limitation(s) is/are:
In claim 49, “at least one processor … configured to: receive a query from a base station (BS) for capability information of the apparatus”;
In claim 49, “at least one processor … configured to: in response to the query, provide an indication to the BS of the switching capability information of the apparatus”;
In claim 55, “the at least one processor is configured to receive a CA configuration in response to providing the indication”;
In claim 56, “at least one processor … configured to: send a query to a user equipment (UE) for capability information of the UE”;
In claim 56, “at least one processor … configured to: in response to the query, receive an indication of switching capability information of the UE”;
In claim 62, “the at least one processor is configured to provide a CA configuration in response to receiving the indication”;
In claim 63, “at least one processor … configured to: interrupt an uplink transmission on a first component carrier (CC) to switch between the first CC and a second CC to transmit an uplink reference signal on the second CC”;
In claim 63, “at least one processor … configured to: adjust one or more parameters or parameter values of the uplink transmission on the first CC”;
In claim 70, “the at least one processor is configured to: receive a set of parameter values, from a base station (BS)”;
In claim 70, “the at least one processor is configured to: determine the adjustment for the one or more parameters or parameter values based on the received set of parameters values and the associated durations or uplink transmission types”;
In claim 72, “the at least one processor is configured to receive an indication from a base station (BS) of the adjustment for the one or more parameters or parameter values”;
It is noted that these limitations are described in the disclosure as being able to be performed by a general-purpose processor. ‘558 Patent at 21:21-36. The presumption that § 112(f) does not apply to a claim limitation that does not use the term "means" is overcome when "the claim term fails to 'recite sufficiently definite structure' or else recites 'function without reciting sufficient structure for performing that function.'" Williamson v. Citrix Online, LLC, 792 F.3d 1339, 1349, 115 USPQ2d 1105, 1111 (Fed. Cir. 2015). Here, the mere recitation of a processor and the associated functions claimed recite 'function without reciting sufficient structure for performing that function.'. Id.
For a computer-implemented 35 U.S.C. 112(f) claim limitation, the specification must disclose an algorithm for performing the claimed specific computer function, or else the claim is indefinite under 35 U.S.C. 112(b). See Net MoneyIN, Inc. v. Verisign. Inc., 545 F.3d 1359, 1367, 88 USPQ2d 1751, 1757 (Fed. Cir. 2008). See also In re Aoyama, 656 F.3d 1293, 1297, 99 USPQ2d 1936, 1939 (Fed. Cir. 2011) ("[W]hen the disclosed structure is a computer programmed to carry out an algorithm, ‘the disclosed structure is not the general purpose computer, but rather that special purpose computer programmed to perform the disclosed algorithm.’") (quoting WMS Gaming, Inc. v. Int’l Game Tech., 184 F.3d 1339, 1349, 51 USPQ2d 1385, 1391 (Fed. Cir. 1999)).
In cases involving a special purpose computer-implemented means-plus-function limitation, the Federal Circuit has consistently required that the structure be more than simply a general purpose computer or microprocessor and that the specification must disclose an algorithm for performing the claimed function. See, e.g., Noah Systems Inc. v. Intuit Inc., 675 F.3d 1302, 1312, 102 USPQ2d 1410, 1417 (Fed. Cir. 2012); Aristocrat Techs. Australia PTY Ltd. v. Int’l Game Tech., 521 F.3d 1328, 1336-37, 86 USPQ2d 1235, 1242 (Fed. Cir. 2008).
The corresponding structure is not simply a general purpose computer by itself but the special purpose computer as programmed to perform the disclosed algorithm. Aristocrat, 521 F.3d at 1333, 86 USPQ2d at 1239. Thus, the specification must sufficiently disclose an algorithm to transform a general purpose microprocessor to the special purpose computer. See Aristocrat, 521 F.3d at 1338, 86 USPQ2d at 1241. ("Aristocrat was not required to produce a listing of source code or a highly detailed description of the algorithm to be used to achieve the claimed functions in order to satisfy 35 U.S.C. § 112 ¶ 6. It was required, however, to at least disclose the algorithm that transforms the general purpose microprocessor to a ‘special purpose computer programmed to perform the disclosed algorithm.’" (quoting WMS Gaming, 184 F.3d at 1349, 51 USPQ2d at 1391.)) An algorithm is defined, for example, as "a finite sequence of steps for solving a logical or mathematical problem or performing a task." Microsoft Computer Dictionary, Microsoft Press, 5th edition, 2002. Applicant may express the algorithm in any understandable terms including as a mathematical formula, in prose, in a flow chart, or "in any other manner that provides sufficient structure." Finisar, 523 F.3d at 1340, 86 USPQ2d at 1623; see also Intel Corp. v. VIA Techs., Inc., 319 F.3d 1357, 1366, 65 USPQ2d 1934, 1941 (Fed. Cir. 2003); In re Dossel, 115 F.3d 942, 946-47, 42 USPQ2d 1881, 1885 (Fed. Cir. 1997); Typhoon Touch Inc. v. Dell Inc., 659 F.3d 1376, 1385, 100 USPQ2d 1690, 1697 (Fed. Cir. 2011); In re Aoyama, 656 F.3d at 1306, 99 USPQ2d at 1945.
Here, the disclosure states generally that processes of the specification may be implemented in software. ‘558 Patent at 21:63-22:51.
As to limitation 12, the ‘558 Patent disclosure describes the receiving of a query in the flowchart of FIG 17 step 1702 and corresponding disclosure, the software programming of which is, with the processor claimed, considered the corresponding structure of the claim limitation.
As to limitation 13, the ‘558 Patent disclosure describes the providing an indication in the flowchart of FIG 17 step 1704 and corresponding disclosure, the software programming of which is, with the processor claimed, considered the corresponding structure of the claim limitation.
As to limitation 14, the ‘558 Patent disclosure does not describe the receiving of a CA configuration in any algorithmic manner, merely stating the step as an aside that the UE itself may perform. ‘558 Patent at 20:25-26. Thus as the corresponding structure cannot be ascertained, the claim is rejected below under §112(b).
As to limitation 15, the ‘558 Patent disclosure describes the sending of a query in the flowchart of FIG 16 step 1602 and corresponding disclosure, the software programming of which is, with the processor claimed, considered the corresponding structure of the claim limitation.
As to limitation 16, the ‘558 Patent disclosure describes the receiving of an indication in the flowchart of FIG 16 step 1604 and corresponding disclosure, the software programming of which is, with the processor claimed, considered the corresponding structure of the claim limitation.
As to limitation 17, the ‘558 Patent disclosure does not describe the providing of a CA configuration in any algorithmic manner, merely stating that the UE itself may receive one. ‘558 Patent at 20:25-26. Thus as the corresponding structure cannot be ascertained, the claim is rejected below under §112(b).
As to limitation 18, the ‘558 Patent disclosure describes the interrupting of communication in the flowchart of FIG 13 step 1302 and corresponding disclosure, the software programming of which is, with the processor claimed, considered the corresponding structure of the claim limitation.
As to limitation 19, the ‘558 Patent disclosure describes the adjusting of parameters in the flowchart of FIG 13 step 1304 and corresponding disclosure, the software programming of which is, with the processor claimed, considered the corresponding structure of the claim limitation.
As to limitation 20, the ‘558 Patent disclosure does not describe the receiving of a set of parameter values in any algorithmic manner. Thus as the corresponding structure cannot be ascertained, the claim is rejected below under §112(b).
As to limitation 21, the ‘558 Patent disclosure describes the adjustment in 17:22-30 of disclosure and states the adjustment may be determined explicitly or implicitly, but does not describe it being “based on the received set of parameters values and the associated durations or uplink transmission types” as claimed and thus as the corresponding structure cannot be ascertained, the claim is rejected below under §112(b).
As to limitation 22, the ‘558 Patent disclosure does not describe the receiving of an indication from a base station (BS) of the adjustment in any algorithmic manner. Thus as the corresponding structure cannot be ascertained, the claim is rejected below under §112(b).
Because this/these claim limitation(s) is/are being interpreted under §112(f), it/they is/are being interpreted to cover the corresponding structure described in the specification as performing the claimed function, and equivalents thereof.
If applicant does not intend to have this/these limitation(s) interpreted under §112(f), applicant may: (1) amend the claim limitation(s) to avoid it/them being interpreted under §112(f) (e.g., by reciting sufficient structure to perform the claimed function); or (2) present a sufficient showing that the claim limitation(s) recite(s) sufficient structure to perform the claimed function so as to avoid it/them being interpreted under §112(f). Note, however, that presentation of a broadening reissue claim is not allowed in this application.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of 35 U.S.C. 112(a):
(a) IN GENERAL.—The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor or joint inventor of carrying out the invention.
Claims 78, 86, and 94 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), first paragraph, as failing to comply with the written description requirement. The claim(s) contains subject matter which was not described in the specification in such a way as to reasonably convey to one skilled in the relevant art that the inventor or a joint inventor, or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the inventor(s), at the time the application was filed, had possession of the claimed invention.
When examining computer-implemented functional claims, examiners should determine whether the specification discloses the computer and the algorithm (e.g., the necessary steps and/or flowcharts) that perform the claimed function in sufficient detail such that one of ordinary skill in the art can reasonably conclude that the inventor possessed the claimed subject matter at the time of filing. An algorithm is defined, for example, as "a finite sequence of steps for solving a logical or mathematical problem or performing a task." Microsoft Computer Dictionary (5th ed., 2002). Applicant may "express that algorithm in any understandable terms including as a mathematical formula, in prose, or as a flow chart, or in any other manner that provides sufficient structure." Finisar Corp. v. DirecTV Grp., Inc., 523 F.3d 1323, 1340, 86 USPQ2d 1609, 1623 (Fed. Cir. 2008) (internal citation omitted). It is not enough that one skilled in the art could write a program to achieve the claimed function because the specification must explain how the inventor intends to achieve the claimed function to satisfy the written description requirement. See, e.g., Vasudevan Software, Inc. v. MicroStrategy, Inc., 782 F.3d 671, 681-683, 114 USPQ2d 1349, 1356, 1357 (Fed. Cir. 2015) (reversing and remanding the district court’s grant of summary judgment of invalidity for lack of adequate written description where there were genuine issues of material fact regarding "whether the specification show[ed] possession by the inventor of how accessing disparate databases is achieved"). If the specification does not provide a disclosure of the computer and algorithm in sufficient detail to demonstrate to one of ordinary skill in the art that the inventor possessed the invention a rejection under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, first paragraph, for lack of written description must be made.
Here, claim 78 claims computer code for receiving a CA configuration. As noted above as to “processor” limitations, this step is not described in the ‘558 disclosure in an algorithmic manner, and thus the claim is rejected under §112(a).
Further, claim 86 claims computer code for sending a CA configuration. As noted above as to “processor” limitations, this step is not described in the ‘558 disclosure in an algorithmic manner, and thus the claim is rejected under §112(a).
Further, claim 94 claims computer code for determining an adjustment. As noted above as to “processor” limitations, this step is not described in the ‘558 disclosure in an algorithmic manner, and thus the claim is rejected under §112(a).
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
Claims 8, 31-33, 38, 46, 48, 55, 57, 62, 70, 72, and 81 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
As to claims 31, 32, 38, 46, 48, 55, 62, 70, and 72, as noted above these claims are interpreted under §112(f), however, the written description fails to disclose the corresponding structure, material, or acts for performing the entire claimed function and to clearly link the structure, material, or acts to the function. Therefore, the claims are indefinite and are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, second paragraph.
Applicant may:
(a) Amend the claim so that the claim limitation will no longer be interpreted as a limitation under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph;
(b) Amend the written description of the specification such that it expressly recites what structure, material, or acts perform the entire claimed function, without introducing any new matter (35 U.S.C. 132(a)); or
(c) Amend the written description of the specification such that it clearly links the structure, material, or acts disclosed therein to the function recited in the claim, without introducing any new matter (35 U.S.C. 132(a)).
If applicant is of the opinion that the written description of the specification already implicitly or inherently discloses the corresponding structure, material, or acts and clearly links them to the function so that one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize what structure, material, or acts perform the claimed function, applicant should clarify the record by either:
(a) Amending the written description of the specification such that it expressly recites the corresponding structure, material, or acts for performing the claimed function and clearly links or associates the structure, material, or acts to the claimed function, without introducing any new matter (35 U.S.C. 132(a)); or
(b) Stating on the record what the corresponding structure, material, or acts, which are implicitly or inherently set forth in the written description of the specification, perform the claimed function. For more information, see 37 CFR 1.75(d) and MPEP §§ 608.01(o) and 2181.
As to claim 8, claim 8 recites the switching capability of a UE in a claim towards a method performed at a base station. This is indefinite as the UE is not a part of the base station or any method performed therein, and it is unclear where infringement would occur. Similarly, claims 33, 57, and 81 recite the switching capability of a UE in a claim towards a base station apparatus and is rejected for the same reason.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC 251
Claims 78, 86, and 94 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 251 as being based upon new matter added to the patent for which reissue is sought. The added material which is not supported by the prior patent is as noted above with respect to § 112(a).
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 15-24, 39-48, 63-72, and 87-96 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by U.S. Pat. PGPUB 2023/0208578A1 to Liu et al. (“Liu”).
As to claim 15, Liu discloses:
A method for wireless communications by a user equipment (UE), comprising:
Liu discloses a method for wireless communications in a UE. Liu element 210 and at Abstract and ¶81.
interrupting an uplink transmission on a first component carrier (CC) to switch between the first CC and a second CC to transmit an uplink reference signal on the second CC;
Liu discloses the UE may interrupt uplink transmissions on a first CC to switch between it and a second CC to transmit an SRS signal on the second CC. Liu at FIG 28 and ¶¶124-125. See also id. at ¶172 (“[t]he switching from a CC that can support PUCCH/PUSCH causes an interruption to the UL transmission on that CC”).
and adjusting one or more parameters or parameter values of the uplink transmission on the first CC to account for the interrupting communication on the second CC.
Liu discloses adjusting one or more parameters or parameter values of the uplink transmission on the first CC to account for the interruption. Liu at ¶123 (“[i]n some embodiments, a UE may puncture a portion of an uplink signal … [t]o compensate for the uplink RF retuning delay, the UE 210 punctures a portion 2731 of the uplink transmission 2730 that overlaps with the period t4. In one embodiment, the UE 210 may perform a rate adjustment (e.g., rate matching) for the non-punctured portion of the uplink transmission 2730 to compensate for bandwidth lost from puncturing the portion 2731. The puncturing may occur on the source component carrier and/or on the target component carrier.”). See also id. at ¶166 (“[i]n addition, the transmissions on the switching-from CCs may be punctured”); ¶224 (“due to puncturing, the eNB may configure larger PUCCH regions related to PUSCH hopping offset so that more RBs may be used for PUCCH”); ¶316 (“[t]he punctured PUSCH may be transmitted with higher power, lower MCS levels, or modified beta values so that the reliability can be improved”). See also id. at ¶¶134 (“switching the TX chain 218 back to the source component carrier requires a shortening, or puncturing, or dropping on one or more symbols, of the uplink signal 3614.”) and 188 (“[w]ithin a switching subframe, switching times and guard times need to be reserved, possibly before and after the switching operations. This may change the subframe structures for both the carrier it switches from and the carrier it switches to.”)
Further as to claim 16:
The method of claim 15, wherein interrupting communication on the first CC to switch between the first CC and the second CC includes interrupting communication caused by at least one of switching to the second CC from the first CC to transmit the uplink reference signal on the second CC or switching back from the second CC to the first CC to resume the uplink transmission on the first CC.
Liu discloses that the switching is either switching from the first to the second CC or switching back to the first CC after having switched away from it. Liu at ¶¶134, 154.
Further as to claim 17:
The method of claim 15, wherein the second CC is a CC configured for downlink data transmission only.
Liu discloses that the CCs may include DL subframes. Liu at ¶192 (“[t]o increase the opportunity for switching-from operations, an embodiment is to perform the switching-from operation on a DL subframe”); see also id. at ¶193 (“[a]n issue that needs to be addressed is the lack of UL SRS TXOP in the switching-to CC. Generally, a SRS TXOP lies in a UL subframe or the UpPTS of a special subframe. In a DL-heavy scenario, the number of configured UL subframes and special subframes may be very limited. There may even be a TDD CC with no UL or special subframe configured at all.”)
Further as to claim 18:
The method of claim 15, wherein adjusting the one or more parameters or parameter values comprises adjusting, based on a time to switch between the first CC and the second CC, a transmit power level associated with one or more symbols of a physical channel for the uplink transmission on the first CC.
Liu discloses that the adjustment of parameters may comprise adjusting a transmit power on a PUSCH for the first CC based on a switching time. Liu at ¶123 (“[i]n some embodiments, a UE may puncture a portion of an uplink signal … [t]o compensate for the uplink RF retuning delay, the UE 210 punctures a portion 2731 of the uplink transmission 2730 that overlaps with the period t4.”); see also id. at ¶316 (“[t]he punctured PUSCH may be transmitted with higher power, lower MCS levels, or modified beta values so that the reliability can be improved”).
Further as to claim 19:
The method of claim 15, wherein the uplink transmission on the first CC comprises at least one of a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) or a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH).
Liu discloses that the first uplink signal comprises a PUSCH or a PUCCH. Liu at claim 11 (“an uplink transmission over each CC in the first set of CCs includes at least one of a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmission or a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) transmission”).
Further as to claim 20:
The method of claim 15, wherein the reference signal comprises a sounding reference signal (SRS).
Liu discloses that the reference signal comprises a SRS. Liu at FIG 12 element 1262 and ¶96 and Abstract.
Further as to claim 21:
The method of claim 15, wherein adjusting the one or more parameters or parameter values comprises adjusting resources used for the uplink transmission on the first CC.
Liu discloses that the adjustment may be of resources used. Liu at ¶123 (“[i]n one embodiment, the UE 210 may perform a rate adjustment (e.g., rate matching) for the non-punctured portion of the uplink transmission 2730 to compensate for bandwidth lost from puncturing the portion 2731.”). See also id. at ¶224 (“due to puncturing, the eNB may configure larger PUCCH regions related to PUSCH hopping offset so that more RBs may be used for PUCCH”)
Further as to claim 22:
The method of claim 15, further comprising: receiving a set of parameter values, from a base station (BS), the parameter values associated with at least one of: different durations of the interruption or different types of uplink transmission; and determining the adjustment for the one or more parameters or parameter values based on the received set of parameters values and the associated durations or uplink transmission types.
In Liu, SRS is configured by the network and sounding is performed by UE. Liu at ¶532. Liu further states that the interruption can be configured to a certain time period. Liu at ¶¶533-536.
Further as to claim 23:
The method of claim 22, wherein the set of parameter values is received via at least one of a system information block (SIB) broadcast or radio resource control (RRC) signaling.
Liu discloses that the BS sends parameter values to the UE over SIB or RRC. Liu at ¶¶166 as well as 144 and 324 (“[t]he control message may be a media access control (MAC) message, or another type of control message (E.g., a DCI message, an RRC message, etc.)”, “the mobile device processes SIB messages to obtain downlink control information (DCI) associated with the corresponding component carriers. The DCI may indicate transmission parameters”)
Further as to claim 24:
The method of claim 15, further comprising receiving an indication from the base station of the adjustment for the one or more parameters or parameter values.
Liu discloses receiving indications as to the parameters from a BS. Liu at ¶¶166 as well as 144 and 324.
As to claim 39, Liu discloses:
An apparatus for wireless communications, comprising:
Liu discloses an apparatus for wireless communications in a UE. Liu element 210 and at Abstract and ¶81.
means for interrupting an uplink transmission on a first component carrier (CC) to switch between the first CC and a second CC to transmit an uplink reference signal on the second CC; and
Liu discloses the UE may interrupt uplink transmissions on a first CC to switch between it and a second CC to transmit an SRS signal on the second CC. Liu at FIG 28 and ¶¶124-125. See also id. at ¶172 (“[t]he switching from a CC that can support PUCCH/PUSCH causes an interruption to the UL transmission on that CC”). Liu discloses this is performed by processing means utilizing a memory for storing program instructions. Id. at ¶538.
means for adjusting one or more parameters or parameter values of the uplink transmission on the first CC to account for the interrupting communication on the second CC.
Liu discloses adjusting one or more parameters or parameter values of the uplink transmission on the first CC to account for the interruption. Liu at ¶123 (“[i]n some embodiments, a UE may puncture a portion of an uplink signal … [t]o compensate for the uplink RF retuning delay, the UE 210 punctures a portion 2731 of the uplink transmission 2730 that overlaps with the period t4. In one embodiment, the UE 210 may perform a rate adjustment (e.g., rate matching) for the non-punctured portion of the uplink transmission 2730 to compensate for bandwidth lost from puncturing the portion 2731. The puncturing may occur on the source component carrier and/or on the target component carrier.”). See also id. at ¶166 (“[i]n addition, the transmissions on the switching-from CCs may be punctured”); ¶224 (“due to puncturing, the eNB may configure larger PUCCH regions related to PUSCH hopping offset so that more RBs may be used for PUCCH”); ¶316 (“[t]he punctured PUSCH may be transmitted with higher power, lower MCS levels, or modified beta values so that the reliability can be improved”). See also id. at ¶¶134 (“switching the TX chain 218 back to the source component carrier requires a shortening, or puncturing, or dropping on one or more symbols, of the uplink signal 3614.”) and 188 (“[w]ithin a switching subframe, switching times and guard times need to be reserved, possibly before and after the switching operations. This may change the subframe structures for both the carrier it switches from and the carrier it switches to.”)
Liu discloses this is performed by processing means. Liu at ¶538. Note also Liu discloses multiple processors as is claimed. Liu at e.g. claim 14.
Further as to claim 40:
The apparatus of claim 39, wherein interrupting communication on the first CC to switch between the first CC and the second CC includes interrupting communication caused by at least one of switching to the second CC from the first CC to transmit the uplink reference signal on the second CC or switching back from the second CC to the first CC to resume the uplink transmission on the first CC.
Liu discloses that the switching is either switching from the first to the second CC or switching back to the first CC after having switched away from it. Liu at ¶¶134, 154.
Further as to claim 41:
The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the second CC is a CC configured for downlink data transmission only.
Liu discloses that the CCs may include DL subframes. Liu at ¶192 (“[t]o increase the opportunity for switching-from operations, an embodiment is to perform the switching-from operation on a DL subframe”); see also id. at ¶193 (“[a]n issue that needs to be addressed is the lack of UL SRS TXOP in the switching-to CC. Generally, a SRS TXOP lies in a UL subframe or the UpPTS of a special subframe. In a DL-heavy scenario, the number of configured UL subframes and special subframes may be very limited. There may even be a TDD CC with no UL or special subframe configured at all.”)
Further as to claim 42:
The apparatus of claim 39, wherein adjusting the one or more parameters or parameter values comprises adjusting, based on a time to switch between the first CC and the second CC, a transmit power level associated with one or more symbols of a physical channel for the uplink transmission on the first CC.
Liu discloses that the adjustment of parameters may comprise adjusting a transmit power on a PUSCH for the first CC based on a switching time. Liu at ¶123 (“[i]n some embodiments, a UE may puncture a portion of an uplink signal … [t]o compensate for the uplink RF retuning delay, the UE 210 punctures a portion 2731 of the uplink transmission 2730 that overlaps with the period t4.”); see also id. at ¶316 (“[t]he punctured PUSCH may be transmitted with higher power, lower MCS levels, or modified beta values so that the reliability can be improved”).
Further as to claim 43:
The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the uplink transmission on the first CC comprises at least one of a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) or a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH).
Liu discloses that the first uplink signal comprises a PUSCH or a PUCCH. Liu at claim 11 (“an uplink transmission over each CC in the first set of CCs includes at least one of a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmission or a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) transmission”).
Further as to claim 44:
The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the reference signal comprises a sounding reference signal (SRS).
Liu discloses that the reference signal comprises a SRS. Liu at FIG 12 element 1262 and ¶96 and Abstract.
Further as to claim 45:
The apparatus of claim 39, wherein adjusting the one or more parameters or parameter values comprises adjusting resources used for the uplink transmission on the first CC.
Liu discloses that the adjustment may be of resources used. Liu at ¶123 (“[i]n one embodiment, the UE 210 may perform a rate adjustment (e.g., rate matching) for the non-punctured portion of the uplink transmission 2730 to compensate for bandwidth lost from puncturing the portion 2731.”). See also id. at ¶224 (“due to puncturing, the eNB may configure larger PUCCH regions related to PUSCH hopping offset so that more RBs may be used for PUCCH”)
Further as to claim 46:
The apparatus of claim 39, further comprising: means for receiving a set of parameter values, from a base station (BS), the parameter values associated with at least one of: different durations of the interruption or different types of uplink transmission; and means for determining the adjustment for the one or more parameters or parameter values based on the received set of parameters values and the associated durations or uplink transmission types.
In Liu, SRS is configured by the network and sounding is performed by UE. Liu at ¶532. Liu further states that the interruption can be configured to a certain time period. Liu at ¶¶533-536. Parameters are received by a receiver and adjustment is performed by a processor. Id. at ¶¶538 and 540.
Further as to claim 47:
The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the set of parameter values is received via at least one of a system information block (SIB) broadcast or radio resource control (RRC) signaling.
Liu discloses that the BS sends parameter values to the UE over SIB or RRC. Liu at ¶¶166 as well as 144 and 324 (“[t]he control message may be a media access control (MAC) message, or another type of control message (E.g., a DCI message, an RRC message, etc.)”, “the mobile device processes SIB messages to obtain downlink control information (DCI) associated with the corresponding component carriers. The DCI may indicate transmission parameters”)
Further as to claim 48:
The apparatus of claim 39, further comprising means for receiving an indication from the base station of the adjustment for the one or more parameters or parameter values.
Liu discloses receiving indications as to the parameters from a BS. Liu at ¶¶166 as well as 144 and 324. This occurs by way of a receiver. Id. at ¶540.
As to claim 63, Liu discloses:
An apparatus for wireless communications, comprising:
at least one processor coupled with a memory and configured to:
Liu discloses an apparatus for wireless communications in a UE. Liu element 210 and at Abstract and ¶81. The apparatus includes at least one processor and memory for performing the following. Id. at ¶538 and claim 14.
interrupt an uplink transmission on a first component carrier (CC) to switch between the first CC and a second CC to transmit an uplink reference signal on the second CC; and
Liu discloses the UE may interrupt uplink transmissions on a first CC to switch between it and a second CC to transmit an SRS signal on the second CC. Liu at FIG 28 and ¶¶124-125. See also id. at ¶172 (“[t]he switching from a CC that can support PUCCH/PUSCH causes an interruption to the UL transmission on that CC”).
Adjust one or more parameters or parameter values of the uplink transmission on the first CC to account for the interrupting communication on the second CC.
Liu discloses adjusting one or more parameters or parameter values of the uplink transmission on the first CC to account for the interruption. Liu at ¶123 (“[i]n some embodiments, a UE may puncture a portion of an uplink signal … [t]o compensate for the uplink RF retuning delay, the UE 210 punctures a portion 2731 of the uplink transmission 2730 that overlaps with the period t4. In one embodiment, the UE 210 may perform a rate adjustment (e.g., rate matching) for the non-punctured portion of the uplink transmission 2730 to compensate for bandwidth lost from puncturing the portion 2731. The puncturing may occur on the source component carrier and/or on the target component carrier.”). See also id. at ¶166 (“[i]n addition, the transmissions on the switching-from CCs may be punctured”); ¶224 (“due to puncturing, the eNB may configure larger PUCCH regions related to PUSCH hopping offset so that more RBs may be used for PUCCH”); ¶316 (“[t]he punctured PUSCH may be transmitted with higher power, lower MCS levels, or modified beta values so that the reliability can be improved”). See also id. at ¶¶134 (“switching the TX chain 218 back to the source component carrier requires a shortening, or puncturing, or dropping on one or more symbols, of the uplink signal 3614.”) and 188 (“[w]ithin a switching subframe, switching times and guard times need to be reserved, possibly before and after the switching operations. This may change the subframe structures for both the carrier it switches from and the carrier it switches to.”)
Further as to claim 64:
The apparatus of claim 63, wherein interrupting communication on the first CC to switch between the first CC and the second CC includes interrupting communication caused by at least one of switching to the second CC from the first CC to transmit the uplink reference signal on the second CC or switching back from the second CC to the first CC to resume the uplink transmission on the first CC.
Liu discloses that the switching is either switching from the first to the second CC or switching back to the first CC after having switched away from it. Liu at ¶¶134, 154.
Further as to claim 65:
The apparatus of claim 63, wherein the second CC is a CC configured for downlink data transmission only.
Liu discloses that the CCs may include DL subframes. Liu at ¶192 (“[t]o increase the opportunity for switching-from operations, an embodiment is to perform the switching-from operation on a DL subframe”); see also id. at ¶193 (“[a]n issue that needs to be addressed is the lack of UL SRS TXOP in the switching-to CC. Generally, a SRS TXOP lies in a UL subframe or the UpPTS of a special subframe. In a DL-heavy scenario, the number of configured UL subframes and special subframes may be very limited. There may even be a TDD CC with no UL or special subframe configured at all.”)
Further as to claim 66:
The apparatus of claim 63, wherein adjusting the one or more parameters or parameter values comprises adjusting, based on a time to switch between the first CC and the second CC, a transmit power level associated with one or more symbols of a physical channel for the uplink transmission on the first CC.
Liu discloses that the adjustment of parameters may comprise adjusting a transmit power on a PUSCH for the first CC based on a switching time. Liu at ¶123 (“[i]n some embodiments, a UE may puncture a portion of an uplink signal … [t]o compensate for the uplink RF retuning delay, the UE 210 punctures a portion 2731 of the uplink transmission 2730 that overlaps with the period t4.”); see also id. at ¶316 (“[t]he punctured PUSCH may be transmitted with higher power, lower MCS levels, or modified beta values so that the reliability can be improved”).
Further as to claim 67:
The apparatus of claim 63, wherein the uplink transmission on the first CC comprises at least one of a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) or a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH).
Liu discloses that the first uplink signal comprises a PUSCH or a PUCCH. Liu at claim 11 (“an uplink transmission over each CC in the first set of CCs includes at least one of a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmission or a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) transmission”).
Further as to claim 68:
The apparatus of claim 63, wherein the reference signal comprises a sounding reference signal (SRS).
Liu discloses that the reference signal comprises a SRS. Liu at FIG 12 element 1262 and ¶96 and Abstract.
Further as to claim 69:
The apparatus of claim 63, wherein adjusting the one or more parameters or parameter values comprises adjusting resources used for the uplink transmission on the first CC.
Liu discloses that the adjustment may be of resources used. Liu at ¶123 (“[i]n one embodiment, the UE 210 may perform a rate adjustment (e.g., rate matching) for the non-punctured portion of the uplink transmission 2730 to compensate for bandwidth lost from puncturing the portion 2731.”). See also id. at ¶224 (“due to puncturing, the eNB may configure larger PUCCH regions related to PUSCH hopping offset so that more RBs may be used for PUCCH”)
Further as to claim 70:
The apparatus of claim 63, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: receive a set of parameter values, from a base station (BS), the parameter values associated with at least one of: different durations of the interruption or different types of uplink transmission; and determine the adjustment for the one or more parameters or parameter values based on the received set of parameters values and the associated durations or uplink transmission types.
In Liu, SRS is configured by the network and sounding is performed by UE. Liu at ¶532. Liu further states that the interruption can be configured to a certain time period. Liu at ¶¶533-536. Parameters are received by a receiver and adjustment is performed by a processor. Id. at ¶¶538 and 540.
Further as to claim 71:
The apparatus of claim 70, wherein the set of parameter values is received via at least one of a system information block (SIB) broadcast or radio resource control (RRC) signaling.
Liu discloses that the BS sends parameter values to the UE over SIB or RRC. Liu at ¶¶166 as well as 144 and 324 (“[t]he control message may be a media access control (MAC) message, or another type of control message (E.g., a DCI message, an RRC message, etc.)”, “the mobile device processes SIB messages to obtain downlink control information (DCI) associated with the corresponding component carriers. The DCI may indicate transmission parameters”)
Further as to claim 72:
The apparatus of claim 63, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: receive an indication from the base station of the adjustment for the one or more parameters or parameter values.
Liu discloses receiving indications as to the parameters from a BS. Liu at ¶¶166 as well as 144 and 324. This occurs by way of a receiver. Id. at ¶540.
As to claim 87, Liu discloses:
A non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer executable code thereon for wireless communications, comprising:
Liu discloses an apparatus for wireless communications in a UE. Liu element 210 and at Abstract and ¶81. The apparatus includes at least one processor and memory for performing the following. Id. at ¶538 and claim 14.
code for interrupting an uplink transmission on a first component carrier (CC) to switch between the first CC and a second CC to transmit an uplink reference signal on the second CC; and
Liu discloses the UE may interrupt uplink transmissions on a first CC to switch between it and a second CC to transmit an SRS signal on the second CC. Liu at FIG 28 and ¶¶124-125. See also id. at ¶172 (“[t]he switching from a CC that can support PUCCH/PUSCH causes an interruption to the UL transmission on that CC”).
code for adjusting one or more parameters or parameter values of the uplink transmission on the first CC to account for the interrupting communication on the second CC.
Liu discloses adjusting one or more parameters or parameter values of the uplink transmission on the first CC to account for the interruption. Liu at ¶123 (“[i]n some embodiments, a UE may puncture a portion of an uplink signal … [t]o compensate for the uplink RF retuning delay, the UE 210 punctures a portion 2731 of the uplink transmission 2730 that overlaps with the period t4. In one embodiment, the UE 210 may perform a rate adjustment (e.g., rate matching) for the non-punctured portion of the uplink transmission 2730 to compensate for bandwidth lost from puncturing the portion 2731. The puncturing may occur on the source component carrier and/or on the target component carrier.”). See also id. at ¶166 (“[i]n addition, the transmissions on the switching-from CCs may be punctured”); ¶224 (“due to puncturing, the eNB may configure larger PUCCH regions related to PUSCH hopping offset so that more RBs may be used for PUCCH”); ¶316 (“[t]he punctured PUSCH may be transmitted with higher power, lower MCS levels, or modified beta values so that the reliability can be improved”). See also id. at ¶¶134 (“switching the TX chain 218 back to the source component carrier requires a shortening, or puncturing, or dropping on one or more symbols, of the uplink signal 3614.”) and 188 (“[w]ithin a switching subframe, switching times and guard times need to be reserved, possibly before and after the switching operations. This may change the subframe structures for both the carrier it switches from and the carrier it switches to.”)
Further as to claim 88:
The apparatus of claim 87, wherein interrupting communication on the first CC to switch between the first CC and the second CC includes interrupting communication caused by at least one of switching to the second CC from the first CC to transmit the uplink reference signal on the second CC or switching back from the second CC to the first CC to resume the uplink transmission on the first CC.
Liu discloses that the switching is either switching from the first to the second CC or switching back to the first CC after having switched away from it. Liu at ¶¶134, 154.
Further as to claim 89:
The apparatus of claim 87, wherein the second CC is a CC configured for downlink data transmission only.
Liu discloses that the CCs may include DL subframes. Liu at ¶192 (“[t]o increase the opportunity for switching-from operations, an embodiment is to perform the switching-from operation on a DL subframe”); see also id. at ¶193 (“[a]n issue that needs to be addressed is the lack of UL SRS TXOP in the switching-to CC. Generally, a SRS TXOP lies in a UL subframe or the UpPTS of a special subframe. In a DL-heavy scenario, the number of configured UL subframes and special subframes may be very limited. There may even be a TDD CC with no UL or special subframe configured at all.”)
Further as to claim 90:
The apparatus of claim 87, wherein adjusting the one or more parameters or parameter values comprises adjusting, based on a time to switch between the first CC and the second CC, a transmit power level associated with one or more symbols of a physical channel for the uplink transmission on the first CC.
Liu discloses that the adjustment of parameters may comprise adjusting a transmit power on a PUSCH for the first CC based on a switching time. Liu at ¶123 (“[i]n some embodiments, a UE may puncture a portion of an uplink signal … [t]o compensate for the uplink RF retuning delay, the UE 210 punctures a portion 2731 of the uplink transmission 2730 that overlaps with the period t4.”); see also id. at ¶316 (“[t]he punctured PUSCH may be transmitted with higher power, lower MCS levels, or modified beta values so that the reliability can be improved”).
Further as to claim 91:
The apparatus of claim 87, wherein the uplink transmission on the first CC comprises at least one of a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) or a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH).
Liu discloses that the first uplink signal comprises a PUSCH or a PUCCH. Liu at claim 11 (“an uplink transmission over each CC in the first set of CCs includes at least one of a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmission or a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) transmission”).
Further as to claim 92:
The apparatus of claim 87, wherein the reference signal comprises a sounding reference signal (SRS).
Liu discloses that the reference signal comprises a SRS. Liu at FIG 12 element 1262 and ¶96 and Abstract.
Further as to claim 93:
The apparatus of claim 87, wherein adjusting the one or more parameters or parameter values comprises adjusting resources used for the uplink transmission on the first CC.
Liu discloses that the adjustment may be of resources used. Liu at ¶123 (“[i]n one embodiment, the UE 210 may perform a rate adjustment (e.g., rate matching) for the non-punctured portion of the uplink transmission 2730 to compensate for bandwidth lost from puncturing the portion 2731.”). See also id. at ¶224 (“due to puncturing, the eNB may configure larger PUCCH regions related to PUSCH hopping offset so that more RBs may be used for PUCCH”)
Further as to claim 94:
The apparatus of claim 87, further comprising: code for receiving a set of parameter values, from a base station (BS), the parameter values associated with at least one of: different durations of the interruption or different types of uplink transmission; and code for determining the adjustment for the one or more parameters or parameter values based on the received set of parameters values and the associated durations or uplink transmission types.
In Liu, SRS is configured by the network and sounding is performed by UE. Liu at ¶532. Liu further states that the interruption can be configured to a certain time period. Liu at ¶¶533-536. Parameters are received by a receiver and adjustment is performed by a processor. Id. at ¶¶538 and 540.
Further as to claim 95:
The apparatus of claim 94, wherein the set of parameter values is received via at least one of a system information block (SIB) broadcast or radio resource control (RRC) signaling.
Liu discloses that the BS sends parameter values to the UE over SIB or RRC. Liu at ¶¶166 as well as 144 and 324 (“[t]he control message may be a media access control (MAC) message, or another type of control message (E.g., a DCI message, an RRC message, etc.)”, “the mobile device processes SIB messages to obtain downlink control information (DCI) associated with the corresponding component carriers. The DCI may indicate transmission parameters”)
Further as to claim 96:
The apparatus of claim 87, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: receive an indication from the base station of the adjustment for the one or more parameters or parameter values.
Liu discloses receiving indications as to the parameters from a BS. Liu at ¶¶166 as well as 144 and 324. This occurs by way of a receiver. Id. at ¶540.
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, 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.
Claims 1-14, 25-38, 49-62, and 73-86 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over U.S. Pat. PGPUB 2023/0208578A1 to Liu et al. (“Liu”) in view of U.S. Pat. PGPUB 2017/0048839A1 to Henttonen et al. (“Henttonen”), of record.
As to claim 1,
A method for wireless communications by a user equipment (UE), comprising:
Liu discloses a method in a UE 210. Liu at FIG 12 element 110 and Abstract.
[…] providing an indication to the BS of switching capability information of the UE for one or more carrier aggregation (CA) configurations,
the switching capability information for switching between a first component carrier (CC) for transmission of a first uplink signal and a second CC for transmission of a second uplink signal,
Liu discloses the UE providing an indication to a base station of switching capability for the UE as to one or more CA configurations. Liu at FIGS 12 and 13 and at ¶96 (“[a]s shown, the UE 210 reports uplink carrier aggregation capabilities 1221 to the base station 220. The uplink carrier aggregation capabilities 1221 may specify the number of component carriers that the UE 210 is capable of transmitting uplink signals over at the same time and/or an uplink RF retuning delay of the UE 210”). See also id. at ¶95 (“[d]ifferent UEs may have different uplink carrier aggregation capabilities … [a]dditionally, UEs may have different uplink RF retuning delays. The RF retuning delays may also be referred to as RF retuning times, RF retuning gaps, or in the context of SRS switching, SRS switching gaps, SRS switching times, etc.”). One of ordinary skill in the art at the time would understand that retuning delays/gaps as well as SRS switching times are for switching carriers. Liu discloses that the switching capability regards switching between a first CC and second CC for transmission of an uplink signal, thus a first and second uplink signal. Id. at steps 1241-1245.
wherein the switching capability information comprises CCs between which the UE supports switching and a switching time associated with switching between different CCs.
Liu discloses that the switching capability comprises CCs the UE supports switching between as well as a switching time. Liu at ¶96 (“The uplink carrier aggregation capabilities 1221 may specify the number of component carriers that the UE 210 is capable of transmitting uplink signals over at the same time and/or an uplink RF retuning delay of the UE 210. The base station 220 may then assign an uplink carrier switching configuration 1222 to the UE based on the uplink carrier aggregation capabilities 1221, and send the uplink carrier switching configuration 1222.”).
Liu does not disclose that the indication is provided to the BS in response to a query.
Hentonnen discloses an analogous invention, namely carrier aggregation in a wireless system. Henttonen at FIG 2 and at ¶67. Henttonen states that the UE may, similar to Liu, provide an indication to the base station of its capabilities with respect to communicating on component carriers as to CA configurations. Id. at ¶78 (“[c]onventionally, a UE always indicates its capabilities to the network so that the network knows what can be configured for the UE”) as well as 83-85. Notably, Henttonen states that the indications are provided to the base station in response to a query. Id. at ¶¶89 and 91.
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the ‘558 Patent’s filing to modify Liu so as to add a base station query. The combination would have been seen as an example of merely combining similar prior art elements according to known methods, each element performing in combination the same function as it does separately, with predictable results. MPEP 2143(I)(A), citing KSR Int'l Co. v. Teleflex Inc., 550 U.S. 398, 415-421, 82 USPQ2d 1385, 1395-97 (2007).
Further as to claim 2:
The method of claim 1, wherein the switching capability of the UE is based on at least one of: UE capability, whether the CCs are contiguous CCs, or whether the CCs are inter-band CCs.
Liu discloses that the UE’s capabilities to switch carriers are based on the CCs being contiguous or inter-band. Liu at ¶81 (“[t]he different carriers may be in the same band, i.e., intra-band CA, or in different bands, i.e., inter-band CA”). See also id. at ¶379 (“[i]t is needed for the UE to report sufficient information for SRS switching configuration, e.g., switching times for inter-band RF retuning and intra-band RF retuning”).
Further as to claim 3:
The method of claim 1, wherein the first uplink signal comprises at least one of: a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) or a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH).
Liu discloses that the first uplink signal comprises a PUSCH or a PUCCH. Liu at claim 11 (“an uplink transmission over each CC in the first set of CCs includes at least one of a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmission or a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) transmission”).
Further as to claim 4:
The method of claim 1, wherein the second uplink signal comprises a sounding reference signal (SRS).
Liu discloses that the second uplink signal comprises a SRS. Liu at FIG 12 element 1262 and ¶96 and Abstract.
Further as to claim 5:
The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more CA configurations comprise a CA configuration that the UE is currently configured with.
Liu discloses that the UE provides the information as to a current set of CCs. Liu at ¶¶78, 96, and 202.
Further as to claim 6:
The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more CA configurations comprise potential CA configurations.
Liu discloses that the CA configurations may comprise potential CCs. Liu at ¶159 (“To enable fast carrier switching to and between TDD component carriers (CCs), the network needs to first configure a UE with SRS on more TDD CCs or potentially even all TDD CCs”).
Further as to claim 7:
The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a CA configuration in response to providing the indication.
Liu discloses the BS transmitting a CA configuration to the UE in response to the indication. Liu at FIG 12 element 1222, FIG 13 element 1320, and at ¶¶95-97 (“ The base station 220 may then assign an uplink carrier switching configuration 1222 to the UE based on the uplink carrier aggregation capabilities 1221, and send the uplink carrier switching configuration 1222. The uplink carrier switching configuration 1222 may be communicated in various ways, such as via higher-layer signaling channel (e.g., in an RRC message), media access control (MAC) signaling channel, or a PDCCH (e.g., in a DCI message).”).
As to claim 8, Liu discloses:
A method for wireless communications by a base station (BS), comprising:
Liu discloses a method in a BS 220. Liu at FIG 12 element 110 and Abstract.
[…] receiving an indication of switching capability information of the UE for one or more carrier aggregation (CA) configurations, the switching capability information for switching between a first component carrier (CC) for transmission of a first uplink signal and a second CC for transmission of a second uplink signal,
Liu discloses the BS receiving an indication from a UE of switching capability for the UE as to one or more CA configurations. Liu at FIGS 12 and 13 and at ¶96 (“[a]s shown, the UE 210 reports uplink carrier aggregation capabilities 1221 to the base station 220. The uplink carrier aggregation capabilities 1221 may specify the number of component carriers that the UE 210 is capable of transmitting uplink signals over at the same time and/or an uplink RF retuning delay of the UE 210”). See also id. at ¶95 (“[d]ifferent UEs may have different uplink carrier aggregation capabilities … [a]dditionally, UEs may have different uplink RF retuning delays. The RF retuning delays may also be referred to as RF retuning times, RF retuning gaps, or in the context of SRS switching, SRS switching gaps, SRS switching times, etc.”). One of ordinary skill in the art at the time would understand that retuning delays/gaps as well as SRS switching times are for switching carriers. Liu discloses that the switching capability regards switching between a first CC and second CC for transmission of an uplink signal, thus a first and second uplink signal. Id. at steps 1241-1245.
wherein the switching capability information comprises CCs between which the UE supports switching and a switching time associated with switching between different CCs.
Liu discloses that the switching capability comprises CCs the UE supports switching between as well as a switching time. Liu at ¶96 (“The uplink carrier aggregation capabilities 1221 may specify the number of component carriers that the UE 210 is capable of transmitting uplink signals over at the same time and/or an uplink RF retuning delay of the UE 210. The base station 220 may then assign an uplink carrier switching configuration 1222 to the UE based on the uplink carrier aggregation capabilities 1221, and send the uplink carrier switching configuration 1222.”).
Liu does not disclose that the indication is provided to the BS in response to a query sent by the BS.
Hentonnen discloses an analogous invention, namely carrier aggregation in a wireless system. Henttonen at FIG 2 and at ¶67. Henttonen states that the UE may, similar to Liu, provide an indication to the base station of its capabilities with respect to communicating on component carriers as to CA configurations. Id. at ¶78 (“[c]onventionally, a UE always indicates its capabilities to the network so that the network knows what can be configured for the UE”) as well as 83-85. Notably, Henttonen states that the indications are provided to the base station in response to a query. Id. at ¶¶89 and 91.
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the ‘558 Patent’s filing to modify Liu so as to add a base station query. The combination would have been seen as an example of merely combining similar prior art elements according to known methods, each element performing in combination the same function as it does separately, with predictable results. MPEP 2143(I)(A), citing KSR Int'l Co. v. Teleflex Inc., 550 U.S. 398, 415-421, 82 USPQ2d 1385, 1395-97 (2007).
Further as to claim 9:
The method of claim 8, wherein the switching capability of the UE is based on at least one of: UE capability, whether the CCs are contiguous CCs, or whether the CCs are inter-band CCs.
Liu discloses that the UE’s capabilities to switch carriers are based on the CCs being contiguous or inter-band. Liu at ¶81 (“[t]he different carriers may be in the same band, i.e., intra-band CA, or in different bands, i.e., inter-band CA”). See also id. at ¶379 (“[i]t is needed for the UE to report sufficient information for SRS switching configuration, e.g., switching times for inter-band RF retuning and intra-band RF retuning”).
Further as to claim 10:
The method of claim 8, wherein the first uplink signal comprises at least one of: a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) or a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH).
Liu discloses that the first uplink signal comprises a PUSCH or a PUCCH. Liu at claim 11 (“an uplink transmission over each CC in the first set of CCs includes at least one of a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmission or a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) transmission”).
Further as to claim 11:
The method of claim 8, wherein the second uplink signal comprises a sounding reference signal (SRS).
Liu discloses that the second uplink signal comprises a SRS. Liu at FIG 12 element 1262 and ¶96 and Abstract.
Further as to claim 12:
The method of claim 8, wherein the one or more CA configurations comprise a CA configuration that the UE is currently configured with.
Liu discloses that the UE provides the information as to a current set of CCs. Liu at ¶¶78, 96, and 202.
Further as to claim 13:
The method of claim 8, wherein the one or more CA configurations comprise potential CA configurations.
Liu discloses that the CA configurations may comprise potential CCs. Liu at ¶159 (“To enable fast carrier switching to and between TDD component carriers (CCs), the network needs to first configure a UE with SRS on more TDD CCs or potentially even all TDD CCs”).
Further as to claim 14:
The method of claim 8, further comprising: providing a CA configuration in response to receiving the indication.
Liu discloses the BS transmitting a CA configuration to the UE in response to the indication. Liu at FIG 12 element 1222, FIG 13 element 1320, and at ¶¶95-97 (“ The base station 220 may then assign an uplink carrier switching configuration 1222 to the UE based on the uplink carrier aggregation capabilities 1221, and send the uplink carrier switching configuration 1222. The uplink carrier switching configuration 1222 may be communicated in various ways, such as via higher-layer signaling channel (e.g., in an RRC message), media access control (MAC) signaling channel, or a PDCCH (e.g., in a DCI message).”).
As to claim 25, Liu discloses:
An apparatus for wireless communications by a user equipment (UE), comprising:
Liu discloses a UE 210. Liu at FIG 12 element 110 and Abstract.
[…] means for […] providing an indication to the BS of the switching capability information of the UE for one or more carrier aggregation (CA) configurations, the switching capability information for switching between a first component carrier (CC) for transmission of a first uplink signal and a second CC for transmission of a second uplink signal,
Liu discloses the UE includes means for providing an indication to a base station of switching capability for the UE as to one or more CA configurations. Liu at ¶540 describing transmitter 5606, and at FIGS 12 and 13 and at ¶96 (“[a]s shown, the UE 210 reports uplink carrier aggregation capabilities 1221 to the base station 220. The uplink carrier aggregation capabilities 1221 may specify the number of component carriers that the UE 210 is capable of transmitting uplink signals over at the same time and/or an uplink RF retuning delay of the UE 210”). See also id. at ¶95 (“[d]ifferent UEs may have different uplink carrier aggregation capabilities … [a]dditionally, UEs may have different uplink RF retuning delays. The RF retuning delays may also be referred to as RF retuning times, RF retuning gaps, or in the context of SRS switching, SRS switching gaps, SRS switching times, etc.”). One of ordinary skill in the art at the time would understand that retuning delays/gaps as well as SRS switching times are for switching carriers. Liu discloses that the switching capability regards switching between a first CC and second CC for transmission of an uplink signal, thus a first and second uplink signal. Id. at steps 1241-1245.
wherein the switching capability information comprises CCs between which the UE supports switching and a switching time associated with switching between different CCs.
Liu discloses that the switching capability comprises CCs the UE supports switching between as well as a switching time. Liu at ¶96 (“The uplink carrier aggregation capabilities 1221 may specify the number of component carriers that the UE 210 is capable of transmitting uplink signals over at the same time and/or an uplink RF retuning delay of the UE 210. The base station 220 may then assign an uplink carrier switching configuration 1222 to the UE based on the uplink carrier aggregation capabilities 1221, and send the uplink carrier switching configuration 1222.”).
Liu does not disclose that the indication is provided to the BS in response to a query.
Hentonnen discloses an analogous invention, namely carrier aggregation in a wireless system. Henttonen at FIG 2 and at ¶67. Henttonen states that the UE may, similar to Liu, provide an indication to the base station of its capabilities with respect to communicating on component carriers as to CA configurations. Id. at ¶78 (“[c]onventionally, a UE always indicates its capabilities to the network so that the network knows what can be configured for the UE”) as well as 83-85. Notably, Henttonen states that the indications are provided to the base station in response to a query. Id. at ¶¶89 and 91.
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the ‘558 Patent’s filing to modify Liu so as to add a base station query. The combination would have been seen as an example of merely combining similar prior art elements according to known methods, each element performing in combination the same function as it does separately, with predictable results. MPEP 2143(I)(A), citing KSR Int'l Co. v. Teleflex Inc., 550 U.S. 398, 415-421, 82 USPQ2d 1385, 1395-97 (2007).
Further as to claim 26:
The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the one or more CA configurations comprise potential CA configurations.
Liu discloses that the CA configurations may comprise potential CCs. Liu at ¶159 (“To enable fast carrier switching to and between TDD component carriers (CCs), the network needs to first configure a UE with SRS on more TDD CCs or potentially even all TDD CCs”).
Further as to claim 27:
The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the switching capability of the UE is based on at least one of: UE capability, whether the CCs are contiguous CCs, or whether the CCs are inter-band CCs.
Liu discloses that the UE’s capabilities to switch carriers are based on the CCs being contiguous or inter-band. Liu at ¶81 (“[t]he different carriers may be in the same band, i.e., intra-band CA, or in different bands, i.e., inter-band CA”). See also id. at ¶379 (“[i]t is needed for the UE to report sufficient information for SRS switching configuration, e.g., switching times for inter-band RF retuning and intra-band RF retuning”).
Further as to claim 28:
The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the first uplink signal comprises at least one of: a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) or a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH).
Liu discloses that the first uplink signal comprises a PUSCH or a PUCCH. Liu at claim 11 (“an uplink transmission over each CC in the first set of CCs includes at least one of a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmission or a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) transmission”).
Further as to claim 29:
The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the second uplink signal comprises a sounding reference signal (SRS).
Liu discloses that the second uplink signal comprises a SRS. Liu at FIG 12 element 1262 and ¶96 and Abstract.
Further as to claim 30:
The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the one or more CA configurations comprise a CA configuration that the UE is currently configured with.
Liu discloses that the UE provides the information as to a current set of CCs. Liu at ¶¶78, 96, and 202.
Further as to claim 31:
The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising: means for receiving a CA configuration in response to providing the indication.
Liu discloses the BS transmitting a CA configuration to the UE in response to the indication. Liu at FIG 12 element 1222, FIG 13 element 1320, and at ¶¶95-97 (“ The base station 220 may then assign an uplink carrier switching configuration 1222 to the UE based on the uplink carrier aggregation capabilities 1221, and send the uplink carrier switching configuration 1222. The uplink carrier switching configuration 1222 may be communicated in various ways, such as via higher-layer signaling channel (e.g., in an RRC message), media access control (MAC) signaling channel, or a PDCCH (e.g., in a DCI message).”). The UE receives this through means for receiving i.e. receiver 5608. Id. at ¶540.
As to claim 32, Liu discloses:
An apparatus for wireless communications, comprising:
Liu discloses a BS 220. Liu at FIG 12 element 110 and Abstract.
[…] means for […] receiving an indication of switching capability information of the UE for one or more carrier aggregation (CA) configurations, the switching capability information for switching between a first component carrier (CC) for transmission of a first uplink signal and a second CC for transmission of a second uplink signal,
Liu discloses the BS receiving an indication from a UE of switching capability for the UE as to one or more CA configurations by way of a receiving means. Liu at FIG 56 and ¶540 element 5608 and at FIGS 12 and 13 and at ¶96 (“[a]s shown, the UE 210 reports uplink carrier aggregation capabilities 1221 to the base station 220. The uplink carrier aggregation capabilities 1221 may specify the number of component carriers that the UE 210 is capable of transmitting uplink signals over at the same time and/or an uplink RF retuning delay of the UE 210”). See also id. at ¶95 (“[d]ifferent UEs may have different uplink carrier aggregation capabilities … [a]dditionally, UEs may have different uplink RF retuning delays. The RF retuning delays may also be referred to as RF retuning times, RF retuning gaps, or in the context of SRS switching, SRS switching gaps, SRS switching times, etc.”). One of ordinary skill in the art at the time would understand that retuning delays/gaps as well as SRS switching times are for switching carriers. Liu discloses that the switching capability regards switching between a first CC and second CC for transmission of an uplink signal, thus a first and second uplink signal. Id. at steps 1241-1245.
wherein the switching capability information comprises CCs between which the UE supports switching and a switching time associated with switching between different CCs.
Liu discloses that the switching capability comprises CCs the UE supports switching between as well as a switching time. Liu at ¶96 (“The uplink carrier aggregation capabilities 1221 may specify the number of component carriers that the UE 210 is capable of transmitting uplink signals over at the same time and/or an uplink RF retuning delay of the UE 210. The base station 220 may then assign an uplink carrier switching configuration 1222 to the UE based on the uplink carrier aggregation capabilities 1221, and send the uplink carrier switching configuration 1222.”).
Liu does not disclose that the indication is provided to the BS in response to a query sent by the BS.
Hentonnen discloses an analogous invention, namely carrier aggregation in a wireless system. Henttonen at FIG 2 and at ¶67. Henttonen states that the UE may, similar to Liu, provide an indication to the base station of its capabilities with respect to communicating on component carriers as to CA configurations. Id. at ¶78 (“[c]onventionally, a UE always indicates its capabilities to the network so that the network knows what can be configured for the UE”) as well as 83-85. Notably, Henttonen states that the indications are provided to the base station in response to a query. Id. at ¶¶89 and 91.
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the ‘558 Patent’s filing to modify Liu so as to add a base station query. The combination would have been seen as an example of merely combining similar prior art elements according to known methods, each element performing in combination the same function as it does separately, with predictable results. MPEP 2143(I)(A), citing KSR Int'l Co. v. Teleflex Inc., 550 U.S. 398, 415-421, 82 USPQ2d 1385, 1395-97 (2007).
Further as to claim 33:
The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the switching capability of the UE is based on at least one of: UE capability, whether the CCs are contiguous CCs, or whether the CCs are inter-band CCs.
Liu discloses that the UE’s capabilities to switch carriers are based on the CCs being contiguous or inter-band. Liu at ¶81 (“[t]he different carriers may be in the same band, i.e., intra-band CA, or in different bands, i.e., inter-band CA”). See also id. at ¶379 (“[i]t is needed for the UE to report sufficient information for SRS switching configuration, e.g., switching times for inter-band RF retuning and intra-band RF retuning”).
Further as to claim 34:
The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the first uplink signal comprises at least one of: a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) or a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH).
Liu discloses that the first uplink signal comprises a PUSCH or a PUCCH. Liu at claim 11 (“an uplink transmission over each CC in the first set of CCs includes at least one of a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmission or a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) transmission”).
Further as to claim 35:
The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the second uplink signal comprises a sounding reference signal (SRS).
Liu discloses that the second uplink signal comprises a SRS. Liu at FIG 12 element 1262 and ¶96 and Abstract.
Further as to claim 36:
The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the one or more CA configurations comprise a CA configuration that the UE is currently configured with.
Liu discloses that the UE provides the information as to a current set of CCs. Liu at ¶¶78, 96, and 202.
Further as to claim 37:
The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the one or more CA configurations comprise potential CA configurations.
Liu discloses that the CA configurations may comprise potential CCs. Liu at ¶159 (“To enable fast carrier switching to and between TDD component carriers (CCs), the network needs to first configure a UE with SRS on more TDD CCs or potentially even all TDD CCs”).
Further as to claim 38:
The apparatus of claim 32, further comprising: means for providing a CA configuration in response to providing the indication.
Liu discloses the BS transmitting a CA configuration to the UE in response to the indication. Liu at FIG 12 element 1222, FIG 13 element 1320, and at ¶¶95-97 (“ The base station 220 may then assign an uplink carrier switching configuration 1222 to the UE based on the uplink carrier aggregation capabilities 1221, and send the uplink carrier switching configuration 1222. The uplink carrier switching configuration 1222 may be communicated in various ways, such as via higher-layer signaling channel (e.g., in an RRC message), media access control (MAC) signaling channel, or a PDCCH (e.g., in a DCI message).”). The BS transmits this through means for providing i.e. transmitter 5606. Id. at ¶540.
As to claim 49, Liu discloses:
An apparatus for wireless communications, comprising:
Liu discloses a UE 210. Liu at FIG 12 element 110 and Abstract.
at least one processor coupled with a memory and configured to:
Liu discloses the UE includes a processor with memory for performing the following steps. Liu at FIG 55 and at ¶538 and claim 14 (“one or more processors in communication with the memory storage, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to perform:”).
[…] provide an indication to the BS of the switching capability information of the apparatus for one or more carrier aggregation (CA) configurations, the switching capability information for switching between a first component carrier (CC) for transmission of a first uplink signal and a second CC for transmission of a second uplink signal,
Liu discloses the UE includes means for providing an indication to a base station of switching capability for the UE as to one or more CA configurations. Liu at ¶538 describing processor and memory, and at FIGS 12 and 13 and at ¶96 (“[a]s shown, the UE 210 reports uplink carrier aggregation capabilities 1221 to the base station 220. The uplink carrier aggregation capabilities 1221 may specify the number of component carriers that the UE 210 is capable of transmitting uplink signals over at the same time and/or an uplink RF retuning delay of the UE 210”). See also id. at ¶95 (“[d]ifferent UEs may have different uplink carrier aggregation capabilities … [a]dditionally, UEs may have different uplink RF retuning delays. The RF retuning delays may also be referred to as RF retuning times, RF retuning gaps, or in the context of SRS switching, SRS switching gaps, SRS switching times, etc.”). One of ordinary skill in the art at the time would understand that retuning delays/gaps as well as SRS switching times are for switching carriers. Liu discloses that the switching capability regards switching between a first CC and second CC for transmission of an uplink signal, thus a first and second uplink signal. Id. at steps 1241-1245.
wherein the switching capability information comprises CCs between which the UE supports switching and a switching time associated with switching between different CCs.
Liu discloses that the switching capability comprises CCs the UE supports switching between as well as a switching time. Liu at ¶96 (“The uplink carrier aggregation capabilities 1221 may specify the number of component carriers that the UE 210 is capable of transmitting uplink signals over at the same time and/or an uplink RF retuning delay of the UE 210. The base station 220 may then assign an uplink carrier switching configuration 1222 to the UE based on the uplink carrier aggregation capabilities 1221, and send the uplink carrier switching configuration 1222.”).
Liu does not disclose that the indication is provided to the BS in response to a query.
Hentonnen discloses an analogous invention, namely carrier aggregation in a wireless system. Henttonen at FIG 2 and at ¶67. Henttonen states that the UE may, similar to Liu, provide an indication to the base station of its capabilities with respect to communicating on component carriers as to CA configurations. Id. at ¶78 (“[c]onventionally, a UE always indicates its capabilities to the network so that the network knows what can be configured for the UE”) as well as 83-85. Notably, Henttonen states that the indications are provided to the base station in response to a query. Id. at ¶¶89 and 91.
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the ‘558 Patent’s filing to modify Liu so as to add a base station query. The combination would have been seen as an example of merely combining similar prior art elements according to known methods, each element performing in combination the same function as it does separately, with predictable results. MPEP 2143(I)(A), citing KSR Int'l Co. v. Teleflex Inc., 550 U.S. 398, 415-421, 82 USPQ2d 1385, 1395-97 (2007).
Further as to claim 50:
The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the one or more CA configurations comprise potential CA configurations.
Liu discloses that the CA configurations may comprise potential CCs. Liu at ¶159 (“To enable fast carrier switching to and between TDD component carriers (CCs), the network needs to first configure a UE with SRS on more TDD CCs or potentially even all TDD CCs”).
Further as to claim 51:
The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the switching capability of the UE is based on at least one of: UE capability, whether the CCs are contiguous CCs, or whether the CCs are inter-band CCs.
Liu discloses that the UE’s capabilities to switch carriers are based on the CCs being contiguous or inter-band. Liu at ¶81 (“[t]he different carriers may be in the same band, i.e., intra-band CA, or in different bands, i.e., inter-band CA”). See also id. at ¶379 (“[i]t is needed for the UE to report sufficient information for SRS switching configuration, e.g., switching times for inter-band RF retuning and intra-band RF retuning”).
Further as to claim 52:
The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the first uplink signal comprises at least one of: a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) or a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH).
Liu discloses that the first uplink signal comprises a PUSCH or a PUCCH. Liu at claim 11 (“an uplink transmission over each CC in the first set of CCs includes at least one of a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmission or a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) transmission”).
Further as to claim 53:
The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the second uplink signal comprises a sounding reference signal (SRS).
Liu discloses that the second uplink signal comprises a SRS. Liu at FIG 12 element 1262 and ¶96 and Abstract.
Further as to claim 54:
The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the one or more CA configurations comprise a CA configuration that the UE is currently configured with.
Liu discloses that the UE provides the information as to a current set of CCs. Liu at ¶¶78, 96, and 202.
Further as to claim 55:
The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the at least one processor is configured to receive a CA configuration in response to providing the indication.
Liu discloses the BS transmitting a CA configuration to the UE in response to the indication. Liu at FIG 12 element 1222, FIG 13 element 1320, and at ¶¶95-97 (“ The base station 220 may then assign an uplink carrier switching configuration 1222 to the UE based on the uplink carrier aggregation capabilities 1221, and send the uplink carrier switching configuration 1222. The uplink carrier switching configuration 1222 may be communicated in various ways, such as via higher-layer signaling channel (e.g., in an RRC message), media access control (MAC) signaling channel, or a PDCCH (e.g., in a DCI message).”).
As to claim 56, Liu discloses:
An apparatus for wireless communications, comprising:
Liu discloses a BS 220. Liu at FIG 12 element 110 and Abstract.
at least one processor coupled with a memory and configured to:
Liu discloses the BS includes a processor with memory for performing the following steps. Liu at FIG 55 and at ¶538.
[…] receive an indication of switching capability information of the UE for one or more carrier aggregation (CA) configurations, the switching capability information for switching between a first component carrier (CC) for transmission of a first uplink signal and a second CC for transmission of a second uplink signal,
Liu discloses the BS receiving an indication from a UE of switching capability for the UE as to one or more CA configurations by way of a receiving means. Liu at ¶538 describing processor and memory and at FIGS 12 and 13 and at ¶96 (“[a]s shown, the UE 210 reports uplink carrier aggregation capabilities 1221 to the base station 220. The uplink carrier aggregation capabilities 1221 may specify the number of component carriers that the UE 210 is capable of transmitting uplink signals over at the same time and/or an uplink RF retuning delay of the UE 210”). See also id. at ¶95 (“[d]ifferent UEs may have different uplink carrier aggregation capabilities … [a]dditionally, UEs may have different uplink RF retuning delays. The RF retuning delays may also be referred to as RF retuning times, RF retuning gaps, or in the context of SRS switching, SRS switching gaps, SRS switching times, etc.”). One of ordinary skill in the art at the time would understand that retuning delays/gaps as well as SRS switching times are for switching carriers. Liu discloses that the switching capability regards switching between a first CC and second CC for transmission of an uplink signal, thus a first and second uplink signal. Id. at steps 1241-1245.
wherein the switching capability information comprises CCs between which the UE supports switching and a switching time associated with switching between different CCs.
Liu discloses that the switching capability comprises CCs the UE supports switching between as well as a switching time. Liu at ¶96 (“The uplink carrier aggregation capabilities 1221 may specify the number of component carriers that the UE 210 is capable of transmitting uplink signals over at the same time and/or an uplink RF retuning delay of the UE 210. The base station 220 may then assign an uplink carrier switching configuration 1222 to the UE based on the uplink carrier aggregation capabilities 1221, and send the uplink carrier switching configuration 1222.”).
Liu does not disclose that the indication is provided to the BS in response to a query sent by the BS.
Hentonnen discloses an analogous invention, namely carrier aggregation in a wireless system. Henttonen at FIG 2 and at ¶67. Henttonen states that the UE may, similar to Liu, provide an indication to the base station of its capabilities with respect to communicating on component carriers as to CA configurations. Id. at ¶78 (“[c]onventionally, a UE always indicates its capabilities to the network so that the network knows what can be configured for the UE”) as well as 83-85. Notably, Henttonen states that the indications are provided to the base station in response to a query. Id. at ¶¶89 and 91.
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the ‘558 Patent’s filing to modify Liu so as to add a base station query. The combination would have been seen as an example of merely combining similar prior art elements according to known methods, each element performing in combination the same function as it does separately, with predictable results. MPEP 2143(I)(A), citing KSR Int'l Co. v. Teleflex Inc., 550 U.S. 398, 415-421, 82 USPQ2d 1385, 1395-97 (2007).
Further as to claim 57:
The apparatus of claim 56, wherein the switching capability of the UE is based on at least one of: UE capability, whether the CCs are contiguous CCs, or whether the CCs are inter-band CCs.
Liu discloses that the UE’s capabilities to switch carriers are based on the CCs being contiguous or inter-band. Liu at ¶81 (“[t]he different carriers may be in the same band, i.e., intra-band CA, or in different bands, i.e., inter-band CA”). See also id. at ¶379 (“[i]t is needed for the UE to report sufficient information for SRS switching configuration, e.g., switching times for inter-band RF retuning and intra-band RF retuning”).
Further as to claim 58:
The apparatus of claim 56, wherein the first uplink signal comprises at least one of: a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) or a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH).
Liu discloses that the first uplink signal comprises a PUSCH or a PUCCH. Liu at claim 11 (“an uplink transmission over each CC in the first set of CCs includes at least one of a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmission or a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) transmission”).
Further as to claim 59:
The apparatus of claim 56, wherein the second uplink signal comprises a sounding reference signal (SRS).
Liu discloses that the second uplink signal comprises a SRS. Liu at FIG 12 element 1262 and ¶96 and Abstract.
Further as to claim 60:
The apparatus of claim 56, wherein the one or more CA configurations comprise a CA configuration that the UE is currently configured with.
Liu discloses that the UE provides the information as to a current set of CCs. Liu at ¶¶78, 96, and 202.
Further as to claim 61:
The apparatus of claim 56, wherein the one or more CA configurations comprise potential CA configurations.
Liu discloses that the CA configurations may comprise potential CCs. Liu at ¶159 (“To enable fast carrier switching to and between TDD component carriers (CCs), the network needs to first configure a UE with SRS on more TDD CCs or potentially even all TDD CCs”).
Further as to claim 62:
The apparatus of claim 56, further comprising: means for providing a CA configuration in response to providing the indication.
Liu discloses the BS transmitting a CA configuration to the UE in response to the indication. Liu at FIG 12 element 1222, FIG 13 element 1320, and at ¶¶95-97 (“ The base station 220 may then assign an uplink carrier switching configuration 1222 to the UE based on the uplink carrier aggregation capabilities 1221, and send the uplink carrier switching configuration 1222. The uplink carrier switching configuration 1222 may be communicated in various ways, such as via higher-layer signaling channel (e.g., in an RRC message), media access control (MAC) signaling channel, or a PDCCH (e.g., in a DCI message).”). The BS transmits this through means for providing i.e. transmitter 5606. Id. at ¶540.
As to claim 73, Liu discloses:
A non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer executable code thereon for wireless communications, comprising:
Liu discloses a UE 210. Liu at FIG 12 element 110 and Abstract.
Liu discloses the UE includes a processor with memory for performing the following steps. Liu at FIG 55 and at ¶538 and claim 14 (“one or more processors in communication with the memory storage, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to perform:”).
[…] code for […] providing an indication to the BS of the switching capability information of the apparatus for one or more carrier aggregation (CA) configurations, the switching capability information for switching between a first component carrier (CC) for transmission of a first uplink signal and a second CC for transmission of a second uplink signal,
Liu discloses the UE includes code means for providing an indication to a base station of switching capability for the UE as to one or more CA configurations. Liu at ¶538 describing processor and memory, and at FIGS 12 and 13 and at ¶96 (“[a]s shown, the UE 210 reports uplink carrier aggregation capabilities 1221 to the base station 220. The uplink carrier aggregation capabilities 1221 may specify the number of component carriers that the UE 210 is capable of transmitting uplink signals over at the same time and/or an uplink RF retuning delay of the UE 210”). See also id. at ¶95 (“[d]ifferent UEs may have different uplink carrier aggregation capabilities … [a]dditionally, UEs may have different uplink RF retuning delays. The RF retuning delays may also be referred to as RF retuning times, RF retuning gaps, or in the context of SRS switching, SRS switching gaps, SRS switching times, etc.”). One of ordinary skill in the art at the time would understand that retuning delays/gaps as well as SRS switching times are for switching carriers. Liu discloses that the switching capability regards switching between a first CC and second CC for transmission of an uplink signal, thus a first and second uplink signal. Id. at steps 1241-1245.
wherein the switching capability information comprises CCs between which the UE supports switching and a switching time associated with switching between different CCs.
Liu discloses that the switching capability comprises CCs the UE supports switching between as well as a switching time. Liu at ¶96 (“The uplink carrier aggregation capabilities 1221 may specify the number of component carriers that the UE 210 is capable of transmitting uplink signals over at the same time and/or an uplink RF retuning delay of the UE 210. The base station 220 may then assign an uplink carrier switching configuration 1222 to the UE based on the uplink carrier aggregation capabilities 1221, and send the uplink carrier switching configuration 1222.”).
Liu does not disclose that the indication is provided to the BS in response to a query.
Hentonnen discloses an analogous invention, namely carrier aggregation in a wireless system. Henttonen at FIG 2 and at ¶67. Henttonen states that the UE may, similar to Liu, provide an indication to the base station of its capabilities with respect to communicating on component carriers as to CA configurations. Id. at ¶78 (“[c]onventionally, a UE always indicates its capabilities to the network so that the network knows what can be configured for the UE”) as well as 83-85. Notably, Henttonen states that the indications are provided to the base station in response to a query. Id. at ¶¶89 and 91.
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the ‘558 Patent’s filing to modify Liu so as to add a base station query. The combination would have been seen as an example of merely combining similar prior art elements according to known methods, each element performing in combination the same function as it does separately, with predictable results. MPEP 2143(I)(A), citing KSR Int'l Co. v. Teleflex Inc., 550 U.S. 398, 415-421, 82 USPQ2d 1385, 1395-97 (2007).
Further as to claim 74:
The computer readable medium of claim 73, wherein the one or more CA configurations comprise potential CA configurations.
Liu discloses that the CA configurations may comprise potential CCs. Liu at ¶159 (“To enable fast carrier switching to and between TDD component carriers (CCs), the network needs to first configure a UE with SRS on more TDD CCs or potentially even all TDD CCs”).
Further as to claim 75:
The computer readable medium of claim 73, wherein the switching capability of the UE is based on at least one of: UE capability, whether the CCs are contiguous CCs, or whether the CCs are inter-band CCs.
Liu discloses that the UE’s capabilities to switch carriers are based on the CCs being contiguous or inter-band. Liu at ¶81 (“[t]he different carriers may be in the same band, i.e., intra-band CA, or in different bands, i.e., inter-band CA”). See also id. at ¶379 (“[i]t is needed for the UE to report sufficient information for SRS switching configuration, e.g., switching times for inter-band RF retuning and intra-band RF retuning”).
Further as to claim 76:
The computer readable medium of claim 73, wherein the first uplink signal comprises at least one of: a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) or a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH).
Liu discloses that the first uplink signal comprises a PUSCH or a PUCCH. Liu at claim 11 (“an uplink transmission over each CC in the first set of CCs includes at least one of a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmission or a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) transmission”).
Further as to claim 77:
The computer readable medium of claim 73, wherein the second uplink signal comprises a sounding reference signal (SRS).
Liu discloses that the second uplink signal comprises a SRS. Liu at FIG 12 element 1262 and ¶96 and Abstract.
Further as to claim 78:
The computer readable medium of claim 73, wherein the one or more CA configurations comprise a CA configuration that the UE is currently configured with.
Liu discloses that the UE provides the information as to a current set of CCs. Liu at ¶¶78, 96, and 202.
Further as to claim 79:
The computer readable medium of claim 73, further comprising code for receiving a CA configuration in response to providing the indication.
Liu discloses the BS transmitting a CA configuration to the UE in response to the indication. Liu at FIG 12 element 1222, FIG 13 element 1320, and at ¶¶95-97 (“ The base station 220 may then assign an uplink carrier switching configuration 1222 to the UE based on the uplink carrier aggregation capabilities 1221, and send the uplink carrier switching configuration 1222. The uplink carrier switching configuration 1222 may be communicated in various ways, such as via higher-layer signaling channel (e.g., in an RRC message), media access control (MAC) signaling channel, or a PDCCH (e.g., in a DCI message).”).
As to claim 80, Liu discloses:
A non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer executable code thereon for wireless communications, comprising:
Liu discloses a BS 220. Liu at FIG 12 element 110 and Abstract.
Liu discloses the BS includes a processor with memory for performing the following steps. Liu at FIG 55 and at ¶538.
[…] code for […] receiving an indication of switching capability information of the UE for one or more carrier aggregation (CA) configurations, the switching capability information for switching between a first component carrier (CC) for transmission of a first uplink signal and a second CC for transmission of a second uplink signal,
Liu discloses the BS receiving an indication from a UE of switching capability for the UE as to one or more CA configurations by way of a receiving means. Liu at ¶538 describing processor and memory and at FIGS 12 and 13 and at ¶96 (“[a]s shown, the UE 210 reports uplink carrier aggregation capabilities 1221 to the base station 220. The uplink carrier aggregation capabilities 1221 may specify the number of component carriers that the UE 210 is capable of transmitting uplink signals over at the same time and/or an uplink RF retuning delay of the UE 210”). See also id. at ¶95 (“[d]ifferent UEs may have different uplink carrier aggregation capabilities … [a]dditionally, UEs may have different uplink RF retuning delays. The RF retuning delays may also be referred to as RF retuning times, RF retuning gaps, or in the context of SRS switching, SRS switching gaps, SRS switching times, etc.”). One of ordinary skill in the art at the time would understand that retuning delays/gaps as well as SRS switching times are for switching carriers. Liu discloses that the switching capability regards switching between a first CC and second CC for transmission of an uplink signal, thus a first and second uplink signal. Id. at steps 1241-1245.
wherein the switching capability information comprises CCs between which the UE supports switching and a switching time associated with switching between different CCs.
Liu discloses that the switching capability comprises CCs the UE supports switching between as well as a switching time. Liu at ¶96 (“The uplink carrier aggregation capabilities 1221 may specify the number of component carriers that the UE 210 is capable of transmitting uplink signals over at the same time and/or an uplink RF retuning delay of the UE 210. The base station 220 may then assign an uplink carrier switching configuration 1222 to the UE based on the uplink carrier aggregation capabilities 1221, and send the uplink carrier switching configuration 1222.”).
Liu does not disclose that the indication is provided to the BS in response to a query sent by the BS.
Hentonnen discloses an analogous invention, namely carrier aggregation in a wireless system. Henttonen at FIG 2 and at ¶67. Henttonen states that the UE may, similar to Liu, provide an indication to the base station of its capabilities with respect to communicating on component carriers as to CA configurations. Id. at ¶78 (“[c]onventionally, a UE always indicates its capabilities to the network so that the network knows what can be configured for the UE”) as well as 83-85. Notably, Henttonen states that the indications are provided to the base station in response to a query. Id. at ¶¶89 and 91.
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the ‘558 Patent’s filing to modify Liu so as to add a base station query. The combination would have been seen as an example of merely combining similar prior art elements according to known methods, each element performing in combination the same function as it does separately, with predictable results. MPEP 2143(I)(A), citing KSR Int'l Co. v. Teleflex Inc., 550 U.S. 398, 415-421, 82 USPQ2d 1385, 1395-97 (2007).
Further as to claim 81:
The computer readable medium of claim 80, wherein the switching capability of the UE is based on at least one of: UE capability, whether the CCs are contiguous CCs, or whether the CCs are inter-band CCs.
Liu discloses that the UE’s capabilities to switch carriers are based on the CCs being contiguous or inter-band. Liu at ¶81 (“[t]he different carriers may be in the same band, i.e., intra-band CA, or in different bands, i.e., inter-band CA”). See also id. at ¶379 (“[i]t is needed for the UE to report sufficient information for SRS switching configuration, e.g., switching times for inter-band RF retuning and intra-band RF retuning”).
Further as to claim 82:
The computer readable medium of claim 80, wherein the first uplink signal comprises at least one of: a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) or a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH).
Liu discloses that the first uplink signal comprises a PUSCH or a PUCCH. Liu at claim 11 (“an uplink transmission over each CC in the first set of CCs includes at least one of a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmission or a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) transmission”).
Further as to claim 83:
The computer readable medium of claim 80, wherein the second uplink signal comprises a sounding reference signal (SRS).
Liu discloses that the second uplink signal comprises a SRS. Liu at FIG 12 element 1262 and ¶96 and Abstract.
Further as to claim 84:
The computer readable medium of claim 80, wherein the one or more CA configurations comprise a CA configuration that the UE is currently configured with.
Liu discloses that the UE provides the information as to a current set of CCs. Liu at ¶¶78, 96, and 202.
Further as to claim 85:
The computer readable medium of claim 80, wherein the one or more CA configurations comprise potential CA configurations.
Liu discloses that the CA configurations may comprise potential CCs. Liu at ¶159 (“To enable fast carrier switching to and between TDD component carriers (CCs), the network needs to first configure a UE with SRS on more TDD CCs or potentially even all TDD CCs”).
Further as to claim 86:
The computer readable medium of claim 80, further comprising code for providing a CA configuration in response to providing the indication.
Liu discloses the BS transmitting a CA configuration to the UE in response to the indication. Liu at FIG 12 element 1222, FIG 13 element 1320, and at ¶¶95-97 (“ The base station 220 may then assign an uplink carrier switching configuration 1222 to the UE based on the uplink carrier aggregation capabilities 1221, and send the uplink carrier switching configuration 1222. The uplink carrier switching configuration 1222 may be communicated in various ways, such as via higher-layer signaling channel (e.g., in an RRC message), media access control (MAC) signaling channel, or a PDCCH (e.g., in a DCI message).”). The BS transmits this through means for providing i.e. transmitter 5606. Id. at ¶540.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the
Examiner should be directed to Charles Craver whose telephone number is (571) 272-
7849. The Examiner can normally be reached on Monday - Friday 8:30-5:30 PT Pacific
Time.
If attempts to reach the Examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the Examiner’s
supervisor, Andrew J. Fischer can be reached on 571-272-6779. The fax phone
number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-
273-8300.
Signed,
/CHARLES R CRAVER/Reexamination Specialist, Art Unit 3992
Conferees:
/ROBERT J HANCE/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3992 /M.F/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3992