DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
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 1-20 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 pre-AIA the applicant regards as the invention.
Claim 1 recites “in response to detecting, by the UE device, that a first full duplex resource configuration associated with a first slot of a plurality of slots of a wireless communication and a second full duplex resource configuration associated with a second slot of the plurality of slots satisfy the condition” in lines 5-8. It is unclear whether “satisfy the condition” is referring to a) “a first full duplex resource configuration associated with a first slot of a plurality of slots of a wireless communication”, or b) “a second full duplex resource configuration associated with a second slot of the plurality of slots”, or c) both a and b. For the purpose of examination, examiner will interpret the claim as best understood.
Claim 13 recites “in response to detecting, by the UE device, that a first full duplex resource configuration associated with a first slot of a plurality of slots of a wireless communication and a second full duplex resource configuration associated with a second slot of the plurality of slots satisfy the condition” in lines 7-10. It is unclear whether “satisfy the condition” is referring to a) “a first full duplex resource configuration associated with a first slot of a plurality of slots of a wireless communication”, or b) “a second full duplex resource configuration associated with a second slot of the plurality of slots”, or c) both a and b. For the purpose of examination, examiner will interpret the claim as best understood.
Claim 19 recites “in response to detecting, by the UE device, that a first full duplex resource configuration associated with a first slot of a plurality of slots of a wireless communication and a second full duplex resource configuration associated with a second slot of the plurality of slots satisfy the condition” in lines 7-10. It is unclear whether “satisfy the condition” is referring to a) “a first full duplex resource configuration associated with a first slot of a plurality of slots of a wireless communication”, or b) “a second full duplex resource configuration associated with a second slot of the plurality of slots”, or c) both a and b. For the purpose of examination, examiner will interpret the claim as best understood.
Claims 2-12, 14-18, and 20 are also rejected since they are depended on the rejected claims set forth above.
Double Patenting
The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on nonstatutory double patenting provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with the examined application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. See MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP §§ 706.02(l)(1) - 706.02(l)(3) for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b).
The USPTO Internet website contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms. The filing date of the application in which the form is filed determines what form (e.g., PTO/SB/25, PTO/SB/26, PTO/AIA /25, or PTO/AIA /26) should be used. A web-based eTerminal Disclaimer may be filled out completely online using web-screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets all requirements is auto-processed and approved immediately upon submission. For more information about eTerminal Disclaimers, refer to www.uspto.gov/patents/process/file/efs/guidance/eTD-info-I.jsp.
Claims 1-20 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-7 and 12-19 of U.S. Patent No. 12,279,290 B2, hereinafter “Patent’290”.
Note that the applicant filing of the continuing application is voluntary and not the direct, unmodified result of restriction requirement under 35 U.S.C. 121 (i.e. without a restriction requirement by the examiner) and the claims of the second application are drawn to the “same invention” as the first application or patent. Moreover, although the conflicting claims are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because claims of the instant application are the same scope of the claims of Patent’290.
Regarding claim 1, Patent’290 discloses a method of wireless communication, comprising: [see claim 1, lines 1-2]
receiving, by a user equipment (UE) device, control information indicating a condition associated with a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) grouping characteristic [see claim 1, lines 3-6; receiving, by a user equipment (UE) device, control information indicating a condition associated with a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) grouping characteristic of a DMRS that is associated with one or more physical (PHY) channels]; and
in response to detecting, by the UE device, that a first full duplex resource configuration associated with a first slot of a plurality of slots of a wireless communication and a second full duplex resource configuration associated with a second slot of the plurality of slots satisfy the condition [see claim 1, lines 8-16; in response to detecting, by the UE device, that a first bandwidth of a first full duplex resource configuration associated with a first slot of a plurality of slots of a wireless communication, a second bandwidth of a second full duplex resource configuration associated with a second slot of the plurality of slots, and a third bandwidth of a third downlink portion of a third full duplex resource configuration associated with a third slot of the plurality of slots satisfy the condition], performing the wireless communication based on the DMRS grouping characteristic indicated by the control information [see claim 1, lines 17-19; associating the DMRS with the first slot and the second slot in accordance with the DMRS grouping characteristic indicated by the control information].
Regarding claim 2, Patent’290 discloses the method of claim 1, wherein the first full duplex resource configuration includes a first downlink portion that is associated with a first bandwidth, wherein the second full duplex resource configuration includes a second downlink portion that is associated with a second bandwidth [see claim 1; a first bandwidth of a first full duplex resource configuration associated with a first slot of a plurality of slots, a second bandwidth of a second full duplex resource configuration associated with a second slot of the plurality of slots; see claim 5; a first downlink portion of the first full duplex resource configuration and a second downlink portion of the second full duplex resource configuration], and wherein the condition specifies that the second bandwidth is greater than or equal to a third bandwidth [see claim 15; wherein the condition further specifies that the second bandwidth is greater than or equal to the third bandwidth] of a third downlink portion of a third slot of the wireless communication [see claim 1, lines 13-16; a third bandwidth of a third downlink portion of a third full duplex resource configuration associated with a third slot of the plurality of slots].
Regarding claim 3, Patent’290 discloses the method of claim 1, further comprising determining that the condition is satisfied in accordance with a first bandwidth of a first downlink portion of the first full duplex resource configuration, a second bandwidth of a second downlink portion of the second full duplex resource configuration, and a third bandwidth of a third downlink portion of a third full duplex resource configuration associated with a third slot of the plurality of slots [see claim 1, lines 8-16; a first bandwidth of a first full duplex resource configuration associated with a first slot of a plurality of slots of a wireless communication, a second bandwidth of a second full duplex resource configuration associated with a second slot of the plurality of slots, and a third bandwidth of a third downlink portion of a third full duplex resource configuration associated with a third slot of the plurality of slots satisfy the condition; see claim 5; the DMRS grouping characteristic is associated with a first downlink portion of the first full duplex resource configuration and is further associated with a second downlink portion of the second full duplex resource configuration].
Regarding claim 4, Patent’290 discloses the method of claim 1, wherein the condition specifies that a first bandwidth of a first portion of the first full duplex resource configuration corresponds to a second bandwidth of a second portion of the second full duplex resource configuration [see claim 3; wherein the condition specifies that the first bandwidth corresponds to the second bandwidth; see claim 1; a first bandwidth of a first full duplex resource configuration, a second bandwidth of a second full duplex resource configuration; see claim 5; wherein the DMRS grouping characteristic is associated with a first uplink or downlink portion of the first full duplex resource configuration and is further associated with a second uplink or downlink portion of the second full duplex resource configuration].
Regarding claim 5, Patent’290 discloses the method of claim 1, wherein the condition specifies that first frequency boundaries of uplink and downlink portions of the first full duplex resource configuration correspond to second frequency boundaries of uplink and downlink portions of the second full duplex resource configuration [see claim 4; wherein the condition specifies that first frequency boundaries of uplink and downlink portions of the first full duplex resource configuration correspond to second frequency boundaries of uplink and downlink portions of the second full duplex resource configuration].
Regarding claim 6, Patent’290 discloses the method of claim 1, wherein the DMRS grouping characteristic is associated with a first uplink or downlink portion of the first full duplex resource configuration and is further associated with a second uplink or downlink portion of the second full duplex resource configuration, and wherein the condition specifies that first frequency boundaries of the first uplink or downlink portion correspond to second frequency boundaries of the second uplink or downlink portion [see claim 5; wherein the DMRS grouping characteristic is associated with a first uplink or downlink portion of the first full duplex resource configuration and is further associated with a second uplink or downlink portion of the second full duplex resource configuration, and wherein the condition specifies that first frequency boundaries of the first uplink or downlink portion correspond to second frequency boundaries of the second uplink or downlink portion].
Regarding claim 7, Patent’290 discloses the method of claim 1, wherein the condition specifies that a first bandwidth of a first portion of the first full duplex resource configuration corresponds to a second bandwidth of a second portion of the second full duplex resource configuration, and wherein the condition further specifies that the first slot is adjacent in time to the second slot [see claim 6; wherein the condition specifies that the first bandwidth corresponds to the second bandwidth, and wherein the condition further specifies that the first slot is adjacent in time to the second slot; see claim 1; a first bandwidth of a first full duplex resource configuration, a second bandwidth of a second full duplex resource configuration].
Regarding claim 8, Patent’290 discloses the method of claim 1, wherein the condition specifies that first frequency boundaries of uplink and downlink portions of the first full duplex resource configuration correspond to second frequency boundaries of uplink and downlink portions of the second full duplex resource configuration [see claim 4; wherein the condition specifies that first frequency boundaries of uplink and downlink portions of the first full duplex resource configuration correspond to second frequency boundaries of uplink and downlink portions of the second full duplex resource configuration], and wherein the condition further specifies that the first slot is adjacent in time to the second slot [see claim 6; wherein the condition further specifies that the first slot is adjacent in time to the second slot].
Regarding claim 9, Patent’290 discloses the method of claim 1, wherein the DMRS grouping characteristic is associated with a first uplink or downlink portion of the first full duplex resource configuration and is further associated with a second uplink or downlink portion of the second full duplex resource configuration, wherein the condition specifies that first frequency boundaries of the first uplink or downlink portion correspond to second frequency boundaries of the second uplink or downlink portion [see claim 5; wherein the DMRS grouping characteristic is associated with a first uplink or downlink portion of the first full duplex resource configuration and is further associated with a second uplink or downlink portion of the second full duplex resource configuration, and wherein the condition specifies that first frequency boundaries of the first uplink or downlink portion correspond to second frequency boundaries of the second uplink or downlink portion], and wherein the condition further specifies that the first slot is adjacent in time to the second slot [see claim 6; wherein the condition further specifies that the first slot is adjacent in time to the second slot].
Regarding claim 10, Patent’290 discloses the method of claim 1, wherein the condition specifies that a first bandwidth of a first downlink portion of the first full duplex resource configuration is greater than or equal to a second bandwidth of a second downlink portion of the second full duplex resource configuration, and wherein the condition further specifies that the second bandwidth is greater than or equal to a third bandwidth [see claim 5; wherein the DMRS grouping characteristic is associated with a first uplink or downlink portion of the first full duplex resource configuration and is further associated with a second uplink or downlink portion of the second full duplex resource configuration; see claim 15; wherein the condition specifies that the first bandwidth is greater than or equal to the second bandwidth, and wherein the condition further specifies that the second bandwidth is greater than or equal to the third bandwidth] of a third downlink portion of a third slot of the wireless communication [see claim 1, lines 13-16; a third bandwidth of a third downlink portion of a third full duplex resource configuration associated with a third slot of the plurality of slots].
Regarding claim 11, Patent’290 discloses the method of claim 1, wherein the condition specifies that a first bandwidth of a first downlink portion of the first full duplex resource configuration is greater than or equal to a second bandwidth of a second downlink portion of the second full duplex resource configuration, and wherein the condition further specifies that the first bandwidth is greater than or equal to a third bandwidth [see claim 5; wherein the DMRS grouping characteristic is associated with a first uplink or downlink portion of the first full duplex resource configuration and is further associated with a second uplink or downlink portion of the second full duplex resource configuration; see claim 16; wherein the condition specifies that the first bandwidth is greater than or equal to the second bandwidth, and wherein the condition further specifies that the first bandwidth is greater than or equal to the third bandwidth] of a third downlink portion of a third full duplex resource configuration associated with a third slot of the wireless communication [see claim 1, lines 13-16; a third bandwidth of a third downlink portion of a third full duplex resource configuration associated with a third slot of the plurality of slots].
Regarding claim 12, Patent’290 discloses the method of claim 1, wherein the condition specifies that a first bandwidth of a first downlink portion of the first full duplex resource configuration corresponds to a second bandwidth of a second downlink portion of the second full duplex resource configuration, and wherein the condition further specifies that the first bandwidth corresponds to a third bandwidth [see claim 5; wherein the DMRS grouping characteristic is associated with a first uplink or downlink portion of the first full duplex resource configuration and is further associated with a second uplink or downlink portion of the second full duplex resource configuration; see claim 17; wherein the condition specifies that the first bandwidth corresponds to the second bandwidth, and wherein the condition further specifies that the first bandwidth corresponds to the third bandwidth] of a third downlink portion of a third full duplex resource configuration associated with a third slot of the wireless communication [see claim 1, lines 13-16; a third bandwidth of a third downlink portion of a third full duplex resource configuration associated with a third slot of the plurality of slots].
Regarding claims 13 and 19, Patent’290 discloses An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising: [see claims 1, 12]
a memory; and [see claim 12, line 3]
one or more processors coupled to the memory and configured to: [see claim 12, line 4]
receive, at a user equipment (UE) device, control information indicating a condition associated with a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) grouping characteristic of a DMRS; and [see claim 12, lines 6-9; receive control information indicating a condition associated with a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) grouping characteristic of a DMRS that is associated with one or more physical (PHY) channels]
in response to detecting, by the UE device, that a first full duplex resource configuration associated with a first slot of a plurality of slots of a wireless communication and a second full duplex resource configuration associated with a second slot of the plurality of slots satisfy the condition, perform the wireless communication based on the DMRS grouping characteristic indicated by the control information [see claim 12, lines 10-21; in response to detecting that a first bandwidth of a first full duplex resource configuration associated with a first slot of a plurality of slots of a wireless communication, a second bandwidth of a second full duplex resource configuration associated with a second slot of the plurality of slots, and a third bandwidth of a third downlink portion of a third full duplex resource configuration associated with a third slot of the plurality of slots satisfy the condition, associate the DMRS with the first slot and the second slot in accordance with the DMRS grouping characteristic indicated by the control information].
Regarding claims 14 and 20, Patent’290 discloses wherein the first full duplex resource configuration includes a first downlink portion that is associated with a first bandwidth, wherein the second full duplex resource configuration includes a second downlink portion that is associated with a second bandwidth [see claim 12; a first bandwidth of a first full duplex resource configuration associated with a first slot of a plurality of slots, a second bandwidth of a second full duplex resource configuration associated with a second slot of the plurality of slots; see claim 14; a first downlink portion of the first full duplex resource configuration and a second downlink portion of the second full duplex resource configuration], and wherein the condition specifies that the second bandwidth is greater than or equal to a third bandwidth [see claim 15; wherein the condition further specifies that the second bandwidth is greater than or equal to the third bandwidth] of a third downlink portion of a third slot of the wireless communication [see claim 12; a third bandwidth of a third downlink portion of a third full duplex resource configuration associated with a third slot of the plurality of slots].
Regarding claim 15, Patent’290 discloses the apparatus of claim 13, further comprising determining that the condition is satisfied in accordance with a first bandwidth of a first downlink portion of the first full duplex resource configuration, a second bandwidth of a second downlink portion of the second full duplex resource configuration, and a third bandwidth of a third downlink portion of a third full duplex resource configuration associated with a third slot of the plurality of slots [see claim 12; a first bandwidth of a first full duplex resource configuration associated with a first slot of a plurality of slots of a wireless communication, a second bandwidth of a second full duplex resource configuration associated with a second slot of the plurality of slots, and a third bandwidth of a third downlink portion of a third full duplex resource configuration associated with a third slot of the plurality of slots satisfy the condition; see claim 14; the DMRS grouping characteristic is associated with a first downlink portion of the first full duplex resource configuration and is further associated with a second downlink portion of the second full duplex resource configuration].
Regarding claim 16, Patent’290 discloses the apparatus of claim 13, wherein the condition specifies that a first bandwidth of a first downlink portion of the first full duplex resource configuration is greater than or equal to a second bandwidth of a second downlink portion of the second full duplex resource configuration, and wherein the condition further specifies that the second bandwidth is greater than or equal to a third bandwidth [see claim 14; wherein the DMRS grouping characteristic is associated with a first uplink or downlink portion of the first full duplex resource configuration and is further associated with a second uplink or downlink portion of the second full duplex resource configuration; see claim 15; wherein the condition specifies that the first bandwidth is greater than or equal to the second bandwidth, and wherein the condition further specifies that the second bandwidth is greater than or equal to the third bandwidth] of a third downlink portion of a third slot of the wireless communication [see claim 12; a third bandwidth of a third downlink portion of a third full duplex resource configuration associated with a third slot of the plurality of slots].
Regarding claim 17, Patent’290 discloses the apparatus of claim 13, wherein the condition specifies that a first bandwidth of a first downlink portion of the first full duplex resource configuration is greater than or equal to a second bandwidth of a second downlink portion of the second full duplex resource configuration, and wherein the condition further specifies that the first bandwidth is greater than or equal to a third bandwidth [see claim 14; wherein the DMRS grouping characteristic is associated with a first uplink or downlink portion of the first full duplex resource configuration and is further associated with a second uplink or downlink portion of the second full duplex resource configuration; see claim 16; wherein the condition specifies that the first bandwidth is greater than or equal to the second bandwidth, and wherein the condition further specifies that the first bandwidth is greater than or equal to the third bandwidth] of a third downlink portion of a third full duplex resource configuration associated with a third slot of the wireless communication [see claim 12; a third bandwidth of a third downlink portion of a third full duplex resource configuration associated with a third slot of the plurality of slots].
Regarding claim 18, Patent’290 discloses the apparatus of claim 13, wherein the condition specifies that a first bandwidth of a first downlink portion of the first full duplex resource configuration corresponds to a second bandwidth of a second downlink portion of the second full duplex resource configuration, and wherein the condition further specifies that the first bandwidth corresponds to a third bandwidth [see claim 14; wherein the DMRS grouping characteristic is associated with a first uplink or downlink portion of the first full duplex resource configuration and is further associated with a second uplink or downlink portion of the second full duplex resource configuration; see claim 17; wherein the condition specifies that the first bandwidth corresponds to the second bandwidth, and wherein the condition further specifies that the first bandwidth corresponds to the third bandwidth] of a third downlink portion of a third full duplex resource configuration associated with a third slot of the wireless communication [see claim 12; a third bandwidth of a third downlink portion of a third full duplex resource configuration associated with a third slot of the plurality of slots].
It has been held that the omission an element and its function is an obvious expedient if the remaining elements perform the same function as before. In re Karlson, 136 USPQ 184 (CCPA). Also note Ex parte Rainu, 168 USPQ 375 (Bd.App.1969); omission of a reference element whose function is not needed would be obvious to one skilled in the art. Moreover, the doctrine of double patenting seeks to prevent the unjustified extension of patent exclusivity beyond the term of a patent.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 1, 13, and 19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Lee et al. (US 2020/0187177 A1, hereinafter “Lee”).
Regarding claim 1, Lee discloses a method of wireless communication [see Fig. 21, para. 350, 376; a method of determining and/or configuring whether to allow Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS) sharing with respect to a TTI over a plurality of contiguous subframes], comprising:
receiving, by a user equipment (UE) device, control information indicating a condition associated with a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) grouping characteristic [see Fig. 19, steps S1902-S1903, para. 372-373, 387-388; receiving, by a UE through a higher layer signal, control information indicating a condition associated with DMRS sharing characteristic of a DMRS that is associated with PDSCH; also see para. 351, 356, 358, 369; a rule is defined, agreed on and/or configured so that whether the DMRS sharing operation is allowed, applied, configured, and/or indicated with respect to a TTI over a plurality of contiguous subframes is determined according to whether the number of symbols of a control region with respect to the length of the corresponding TTI is configured through a higher layer signal or indicated by a physical layer signal]; and
in response to detecting, by the UE device, that a first full duplex resource configuration associated with a first slot of a plurality of slots of a wireless communication and a second full duplex resource configuration associated with a second slot of the plurality of slots satisfy the condition [see Fig. 19, steps S1902-S1904, para. 372-373, 387-388, 349, 351, 354-360, 365, 369; in response to receiving, by the UE device through the higher layer signal, the control information associated with a first slot and a second slot of a plurality of slots of a DMRS satisfy the condition (the control information is configured through a higher layer signal); Note that the control information is applicable to full duplex FDD operation (see para. 61-62, 348-349, Fig. 1(a) illustrates a radio frame consists of 10 subframes that is applicable to full duplex FDD). Table 10 illustrates a subframe i consists of two consecutive slots, slot 2i and slot 2i+1, each with uplink and downlink portions of a full duplex resource configuration; Para. 358 discloses if the number of symbols of a control region is configured through a higher layer signal, whether to allow, apply, configure and/or indicate the DMRS is determined by the number of symbols of a control region configured according to the method 1; Para. 369 discloses multiple full duplex resource configurations, uplink TTI length combination 1 {DL=subslot, UL=subslot}, uplink TTI length combination 2 {DL=subslot, UL=slot}, uplink TTI length combination 3 {DL=slot, UL=slot}, and uplink TTI length combination 4 {DL=subframe, UL=subframe}], performing the wireless communication based on the DMRS grouping characteristic indicated by the control information [see para. 351, 356, 358; see Fig. 19, step S1904, para. 374, 389; performing the DMRS with the first slot and the second slot in accordance with the DMRS sharing characteristic indicated by the control information].
Regarding claim 13, Lee discloses an apparatus for wireless communication [see Fig. 21, para. 350, 376; UE device 2120 for determining and/or configuring whether to allow Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS) sharing with respect to a TTI over a plurality of contiguous subframes], comprising:
a memory [see Fig. 21; memory 2122]; and
one or more processors coupled to the memory [see Fig. 21; processor 2121 coupled to the memory 2122] and configured to:
receive, at a user equipment (UE) device, control information indicating a condition associated with a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) grouping characteristic of a DMRS [see Fig. 19, steps S1902-S1903, para. 372-373, 387-388; receiving control information indicating a condition associated with DMRS sharing characteristic of a DMRS that is associated with PDSCH; also see para. 351, 356, 358, 369; a rule is defined, agreed on and/or configured so that whether the DMRS sharing operation is allowed, applied, configured, and/or indicated with respect to a TTI over a plurality of contiguous subframes is determined according to whether the number of symbols of a control region with respect to the length of the corresponding TTI is configured through a higher layer signal or indicated by a physical layer signal]; and
in response to detecting, by the UE device, that a first full duplex resource configuration associated with a first slot of a plurality of slots of a wireless communication and a second full duplex resource configuration associated with a second slot of the plurality of slots satisfy the condition [see Fig. 19, steps S1902-S1904, para. 372-373, 387-388, 349, 351, 354-360, 365, 369; in response to receiving the control information associated with a first slot and a second slot of a plurality of slots of a DMRS satisfy the condition (the control information is configured through a higher layer signal); Note that the control information is applicable to full duplex FDD operation (see para. 61-62, 348-349, Fig. 1(a) illustrates a radio frame consists of 10 subframes that is applicable to full duplex FDD). Table 10 illustrates a subframe i consists of two consecutive slots, slot 2i and slot 2i+1, each with uplink and downlink portions of a full duplex resource configuration; Para. 358 discloses if the number of symbols of a control region is configured through a higher layer signal, whether to allow, apply, configure and/or indicate the DMRS is determined by the number of symbols of a control region configured according to the method 1; Para. 369 discloses multiple full duplex resource configurations, uplink TTI length combination 1 {DL=subslot, UL=subslot}, uplink TTI length combination 2 {DL=subslot, UL=slot}, uplink TTI length combination 3 {DL=slot, UL=slot}, and uplink TTI length combination 4 {DL=subframe, UL=subframe}], perform the wireless communication based on the DMRS grouping characteristic indicated by the control information [see para. 351, 356, 358; see Fig. 19, step S1904, para. 374, 389; performing the DMRS with the first slot and the second slot in accordance with the DMRS sharing characteristic indicated by the control information].
Regarding claim 19, Lee discloses a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by one or more processors to initiate, perform, or control operations [see para. 453; a memory storing software code executable by a processor], the operations comprising:
receiving, by a user equipment (UE) device, control information indicating a condition associated with a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) grouping characteristic [see Fig. 19, steps S1902-S1903, para. 372-373, 387-388; receiving, by a UE through a higher layer signal, control information indicating a condition associated with DMRS sharing characteristic of a DMRS that is associated with PDSCH; also see para. 351, 356, 358, 369; a rule is defined, agreed on and/or configured so that whether the DMRS sharing operation is allowed, applied, configured, and/or indicated with respect to a TTI over a plurality of contiguous subframes is determined according to whether the number of symbols of a control region with respect to the length of the corresponding TTI is configured through a higher layer signal or indicated by a physical layer signal]; and
in response to detecting, by the UE device, that a first full duplex resource configuration associated with a first slot of a plurality of slots of a wireless communication and a second full duplex resource configuration associated with a second slot of the plurality of slots satisfy the condition [see Fig. 19, steps S1902-S1904, para. 372-373, 387-388, 349, 351, 354-360, 365, 369; in response to receiving, by the UE device through the higher layer signal, the control information associated with a first slot and a second slot of a plurality of slots of a DMRS satisfy the condition (the control information is configured through a higher layer signal); Note that the control information is applicable to full duplex FDD operation (see para. 61-62, 348-349, Fig. 1(a) illustrates a radio frame consists of 10 subframes that is applicable to full duplex FDD). Table 10 illustrates a subframe i consists of two consecutive slots, slot 2i and slot 2i+1, each with uplink and downlink portions of a full duplex resource configuration; Para. 358 discloses if the number of symbols of a control region is configured through a higher layer signal, whether to allow, apply, configure and/or indicate the DMRS is determined by the number of symbols of a control region configured according to the method 1; Para. 369 discloses multiple full duplex resource configurations, uplink TTI length combination 1 {DL=subslot, UL=subslot}, uplink TTI length combination 2 {DL=subslot, UL=slot}, uplink TTI length combination 3 {DL=slot, UL=slot}, and uplink TTI length combination 4 {DL=subframe, UL=subframe}], performing the wireless communication based on the DMRS grouping characteristic indicated by the control information [see para. 351, 356, 358; see Fig. 19, step S1904, para. 374, 389; performing the DMRS with the first slot and the second slot in accordance with the DMRS sharing characteristic indicated by the control information].
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.
The factual inquiries set forth in Graham v. John Deere Co., 383 U.S. 1, 148 USPQ 459 (1966), that are applied for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
Claims 4-9 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Lee in view of Manolakos et al. (US 2018/0092002 A1, hereinafter “Manolakos”).
Regarding claim 4, Lee discloses wherein the condition specifies that a first portion of the first full duplex resource configuration corresponds to a second portion of the second full duplex resource configuration [see para. 369; the control information includes information about support for each of uplink TTI length combination 1 {DL=subslot, UL=subslot}, uplink TTI length combination 2 {DL=subslot, UL=slot}, uplink TTI length combination 3 {DL=slot, UL=slot}, and uplink TTI length combination 4 {DL=subframe, UL=subframe}; see para. 371, 386; control information indicating support for repetition for each band and/or each band combination or indicating support for repetition of one or more specific bands and/or band combination; also see para. 61, 349].
Lee does not explicitly disclose a first bandwidth and a second bandwidth.
However, Manolakos teaches a first bandwidth of a first portion of a first full duplex resource configuration corresponds to a second bandwidth of a second portion of a second full duplex resource configuration [see para. 48, 110, 113, 120, Fig. 10A, 10B, 10C, para. 136-138; the first BWG includes RBs with an SCS equal to f0 (e.g., RB1, RB2, RB3, RB4) and the second BWG includes RBs with an SCS equal to 2*f0 (e.g., RB5, RB6)].
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide “a first bandwidth of a first portion of a first full duplex resource configuration corresponds to a second bandwidth of a second portion of a second full duplex resource configuration”, as taught by Manolakos, into the system of Lee so that it would prevent or reduce interference between the RBs using different numerology [see Manolakos, para. 128].
Regarding claim 5, Lee discloses wherein the condition specifies that first uplink and downlink portions of the first full duplex resource configuration correspond to second uplink and downlink portions of the second full duplex resource configuration [see para. 369; the control information includes information about support for each of uplink TTI length combination 1 {DL=subslot, UL=subslot}, uplink TTI length combination 2 {DL=subslot, UL=slot}, uplink TTI length combination 3 {DL=slot, UL=slot}, and uplink TTI length combination 4 {DL=subframe, UL=subframe}].
Lee does not explicitly disclose frequency boundaries.
However, Manolakos teaches first frequency boundaries of uplink and downlink portions of a first full duplex resource configuration correspond to second frequency boundaries of uplink and downlink portions of a second full duplex resource configuration [see para. 48, 110, 113, 120, Fig. 10A, 10B, 10C, para. 136-138; the first BWG includes RBs with an SCS equal to f0 (e.g., RB1, RB2, RB3, RB4) and the second BWG includes RBs with an SCS equal to 2*f0 (e.g., RB5, RB6)].
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide “first frequency boundaries of uplink and downlink portions of a first full duplex resource configuration correspond to second frequency boundaries of uplink and downlink portions of a second full duplex resource configuration”, as taught by Manolakos, into the system of Lee so that it would prevent or reduce interference between the RBs using different numerology [see Manolakos, para. 128].
Regarding claim 6, Lee discloses wherein the DMRS grouping characteristic is associated with a first uplink or downlink portion of the first full duplex resource configuration and is further associated with a second uplink or downlink portion of the second full duplex resource configuration, and wherein the condition specifies that the first uplink or downlink portion correspond to the second uplink or downlink portion [see para. 349, 351, 358, 369; the DMRS sharing characteristic is associated with a first UL/DL portion and a second UL/DL portion, and the control information includes information about support for each of uplink TTI length combination 1 {DL=subslot, UL=subslot}, uplink TTI length combination 2 {DL=subslot, UL=slot}, uplink TTI length combination 3 {DL=slot, UL=slot}, and uplink TTI length combination 4 {DL=subframe, UL=subframe}].
Lee does not explicitly disclose frequency boundaries.
However, Manolakos teaches first frequency boundaries of uplink and downlink portions of a first full duplex resource configuration correspond to second frequency boundaries of uplink and downlink portions of a second full duplex resource configuration [see para. 48, 110, 113, 120, Fig. 10A, 10B, 10C, para. 136-138; the first BWG includes RBs with an SCS equal to f0 (e.g., RB1, RB2, RB3, RB4) and the second BWG includes RBs with an SCS equal to 2*f0 (e.g., RB5, RB6)].
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide “first frequency boundaries of uplink and downlink portions of a first full duplex resource configuration correspond to second frequency boundaries of uplink and downlink portions of a second full duplex resource configuration”, as taught by Manolakos, into the system of Lee so that it would prevent or reduce interference between the RBs using different numerology [see Manolakos, para. 128].
Regarding claim 7, Lee discloses wherein the condition specifies that a first portion of the first full duplex resource configuration corresponds to a second portion of the second full duplex resource configuration [see para. 369; the control information includes information about support for each of uplink TTI length combination 1 {DL=subslot, UL=subslot}, uplink TTI length combination 2 {DL=subslot, UL=slot}, uplink TTI length combination 3 {DL=slot, UL=slot}, and uplink TTI length combination 4 {DL=subframe, UL=subframe}; see para. 371, 386; control information indicating support for repetition for each band and/or each band combination or indicating support for repetition of one or more specific bands and/or band combination; also see para. 61, 349], and wherein the condition further specifies that the first slot is adjacent in time to the second slot [see Fig. 1(a), para. 61-62, Table 10, para. 351, 364-365, 369; the control information specifies that the first slot is adjacent to the second slot].
Lee does not explicitly disclose a first bandwidth and a second bandwidth.
However, Manolakos teaches a first bandwidth of a first portion of a first full duplex resource configuration corresponds to a second bandwidth of a second portion of a second full duplex resource configuration [see para. 48, 110, 113, 120, Fig. 10A, 10B, 10C, para. 136-138; the first BWG includes RBs with an SCS equal to f0 (e.g., RB1, RB2, RB3, RB4) and the second BWG includes RBs with an SCS equal to 2*f0 (e.g., RB5, RB6)].
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide “a first bandwidth of a first portion of a first full duplex resource configuration corresponds to a second bandwidth of a second portion of a second full duplex resource configuration”, as taught by Manolakos, into the system of Lee so that it would prevent or reduce interference between the RBs using different numerology [see Manolakos, para. 128].
Regarding claim 8, Lee discloses wherein the condition specifies that first uplink and downlink portions of the first full duplex resource configuration correspond to second uplink and downlink portions of the second full duplex resource configuration [see para. 369; the control information includes information about support for each of uplink TTI length combination 1 {DL=subslot, UL=subslot}, uplink TTI length combination 2 {DL=subslot, UL=slot}, uplink TTI length combination 3 {DL=slot, UL=slot}, and uplink TTI length combination 4 {DL=subframe, UL=subframe}], and wherein the condition further specifies that the first slot is adjacent in time to the second slot [see Fig. 1(a), para. 61-62, Table 10, para. 351, 364-365, 369; the control information specifies that the first slot is adjacent to the second slot].
Lee does not explicitly disclose frequency boundaries.
However, Manolakos teaches first frequency boundaries of uplink and downlink portions of a first full duplex resource configuration correspond to second frequency boundaries of uplink and downlink portions of a second full duplex resource configuration [see para. 48, 110, 113, 120, Fig. 10A, 10B, 10C, para. 136-138; the first BWG includes RBs with an SCS equal to f0 (e.g., RB1, RB2, RB3, RB4) and the second BWG includes RBs with an SCS equal to 2*f0 (e.g., RB5, RB6)].
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide “first frequency boundaries of uplink and downlink portions of a first full duplex resource configuration correspond to second frequency boundaries of uplink and downlink portions of a second full duplex resource configuration”, as taught by Manolakos, into the system of Lee so that it would prevent or reduce interference between the RBs using different numerology [see Manolakos, para. 128].
Regarding claim 9, Lee discloses wherein the DMRS grouping characteristic is associated with a first uplink or downlink portion of the first full duplex resource configuration and is further associated with a second uplink or downlink portion of the second full duplex resource configuration, wherein the condition specifies that the first uplink or downlink portion correspond to the second uplink or downlink portion [see para. 349, 351, 358, 369; the DMRS sharing characteristic is associated with a first UL/DL portion and a second UL/DL portion, and the control information includes information about support for each of uplink TTI length combination 1 {DL=subslot, UL=subslot}, uplink TTI length combination 2 {DL=subslot, UL=slot}, uplink TTI length combination 3 {DL=slot, UL=slot}, and uplink TTI length combination 4 {DL=subframe, UL=subframe}], and wherein the condition further specifies that the first slot is adjacent in time to the second slot [see Fig. 1(a), para. 61-62, Table 10, para. 351, 364-365, 369; the control information specifies that the first slot is adjacent to the second slot].
Lee does not explicitly disclose frequency boundaries.
However, Manolakos teaches first frequency boundaries of uplink and downlink portions of a first full duplex resource configuration correspond to second frequency boundaries of uplink and downlink portions of a second full duplex resource configuration [see para. 48, 110, 113, 120, Fig. 10A, 10B, 10C, para. 136-138; the first BWG includes RBs with an SCS equal to f0 (e.g., RB1, RB2, RB3, RB4) and the second BWG includes RBs with an SCS equal to 2*f0 (e.g., RB5, RB6)].
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide “first frequency boundaries of uplink and downlink portions of a first full duplex resource configuration correspond to second frequency boundaries of uplink and downlink portions of a second full duplex resource configuration”, as taught by Manolakos, into the system of Lee so that it would prevent or reduce interference between the RBs using different numerology [see Manolakos, para. 128].
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Gordaychik (US 2019/0363843 A1), see Fig. 1, para. 2, 27, discloses a UE using a numerology and particular subcarrier spacing receives a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) and also transmits a DMRS in the uplink.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to BRIAN T. LE whose telephone number is (571)270-5615. The examiner can normally be reached on M-F 9:30AM-6:00PM.
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/BRIAN T LE/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2469
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