DETAILED ACTION
This is in response to RCE dated 1/15/26. Claims 1-2, 4-12, 14, 16-17, 19-24 have been examined. Claims 3, 13, 15, and 18 have been cancelled.
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 1/15/26 has been entered.
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 . In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
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 § 2146 et seq. 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 and 11 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1 and 10 of U.S. Patent No. 10,979,924 in view of Chen (US 2014/0044040) - Park (WO 2015/156573) - Sadeghi (WO 2016/077701). Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because they are an obvious variants of one anoother. For comparison, see the table below.
Instant Application
US 10,979,924
1. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) comprising at least one processor configured to cause the WTRU to:
receive reference measurement resource (RMR) configuration information via radio resource control (RRC) signaling, the RMR configuration information received via the RRC signaling indicating one or more RMR configurations, wherein each RMR configuration of the one or more RMR configurations represents a set of resources, and
wherein the RMR configuration information received via the RRC signaling comprises a respective RMR identifier (ID) that identifies a corresponding set of resources associated with a RMR configuration of the one or more RMR configurations;
receive a measurement configuration via the RRC signaling, wherein the measurement configuration is associated with a measurement feedback configuration that points to at least one of the one or more RMR configurations;
determine, based on the measurement configuration, a type of measurement to be performed using the at least one of the one or more RMR configurations;
determine, based on the measurement feedback configuration, feedback resources for reporting at least one measurement associated with the at least one of the one or more RMR configurations; and
report the at least one measurement associated with the at least one of the one or more RMR configurations using the feedback resources.
1. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), comprising: a processor configured to:
receive resource configuration information, wherein the resource configuration information includes information regarding reference signals that are to be used for reference signal measurement;
receive measurement configuration information, wherein the measurement configuration information indicates a feedback report to be generated by the WTRU;
the measurement configuration information indicates one or more types of measurements among a plurality of different measurement types to be reported in the feedback report, the plurality of different measurement types including a channel measurement and a reference signal received power (RSRP) measurement; and
the measurement configuration information indicates a respective subset of the reference signals to be used to perform each of the one or more types of measurements;
determine, based on the measurement configuration information, whether each of the one or more types of measurements is to be reported at a wideband level or a subband level;
generate the feedback report based on the measurement configuration information; and transmit the feedback report to a network entity.
In view of
Chen [0067] - Park [p. 23-24] – Sadeghi [115].
11. A method implemented by a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), the method comprising:
receiving reference measurement resource (RMR) configuration information via radio resource control (RRC) signaling, the RMR configuration information received via the RRC signaling indicating one or more RMR configurations,
wherein each RMR configuration of the one or more RMR configurations represents a set of resources, and wherein the RMR configuration information received via the RRC signaling comprises a respective RMR identifier (ID) that identifies a corresponding set of resources associated with a RMR configuration of the one or more RMR configurations;
receiving a measurement configuration via the RRC signaling, wherein the measurement configuration is associated with a measurement feedback configuration that points to at least one of the one or more RMR configurations;
determining, based on the measurement configuration, a type of measurement to be performed using the at least one of the one or more RMR configurations;
determining, based on the measurement feedback configuration, feedback resources for reporting at least one measurement associated with the at least one of the one or more RMR configurations; and reporting the at least one measurement associated with the at least one of the one or more RMR configurations using the feedback resources.
10. A method implemented in a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), the method comprising: receiving resource configuration information, wherein the resource configuration information includes information regarding reference signals that are to be used for reference signal measurement;
receiving measurement configuration information, wherein the measurement configuration information indicates a feedback report to be generated by the WTRU; the measurement configuration information indicates one or more types of measurements among a plurality of different measurement types to be reported in the feedback report, the plurality of different measurement types including a channel measurement and a reference signal received power (RSRP) measurement; and the measurement configuration information indicates a respective subset of the reference signals to be used to perform each of one or more types of measurements;
determining, based on the measurement configuration information, whether each of the one or more types of measurements is to be reported at a wideband level or a subband level; generating the feedback report based on the measurement configuration information; and sending the feedback report to a network entity.
In view of
Chen [0067] - Park [p. 23-24] – Sadeghi [115].
Claims 1 is rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1 and 11 of U.S. Patent No. 12,058,545 in view of Chen (US 2014/0044040) - Park (WO 2015/156573) - Sadeghi (WO 2016/077701). Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because they are an obvious variants of one another. For comparison, see the table below.
Instant Application
US 12,058,545
1. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) comprising at least one processor configured to cause the WTRU to:
receive reference measurement resource (RMR) configuration information via radio resource control (RRC) signaling, the RMR configuration information received via the RRC signaling indicating one or more RMR configurations, wherein each RMR configuration of the one or more RMR configurations represents a set of resources, and
wherein the RMR configuration information received via the RRC signaling comprises a respective RMR identifier (ID) that identifies a corresponding set of resources associated with a RMR configuration of the one or more RMR configurations;
receive a measurement configuration via the RRC signaling, wherein the measurement configuration is associated with a measurement feedback configuration that points to at least one of the one or more RMR configurations;
determine, based on the measurement configuration, a type of measurement to be performed using the at least one of the one or more RMR configurations;
determine, based on the measurement feedback configuration, feedback resources for reporting at least one measurement associated with the at least one of the one or more RMR configurations; and
report the at least one measurement associated with the at least one of the one or more RMR configurations using the feedback resources.
1. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), comprising: a processor configured to: receive resource configuration information that comprises a first resource element mapping for a first subset of reference signals, a first periodicity for the first subset of reference signals, a second resource element mapping for a second subset of reference signals, and a second periodicity for the second subset of reference signals; receive first measurement configuration information, the first measurement configuration information indicating that the WTRU is to perform a first type of measurement out of a plurality of types of measurements for feedback reporting using the first subset of the reference signals indicated by the resource configuration information and that the first type of measurement is a channel state information (CSI) measurement, wherein the first measurement configuration information indicates one or more first measurement feedback resources, the one or more first measurement feedback resources comprising one or more of time, frequency, code, or beam resources; receive second measurement configuration information, the second measurement configuration information indicating that the WTRU is to perform a second type of measurement out of a plurality of types of measurements for feedback reporting using the second subset of the reference signals indicated by the resource configuration information and that the second type of measurement is a received power measurement, wherein the second measurement configuration information indicates one or more second measurement feedback resources, the one or more second measurement feedback resource comprising one or more of time, frequency, code, or beam resources, wherein the one or more second measurement resources are different from the one or more first measurement feedback resources; perform the CSI measurement based on the resource configuration information and the first measurement configuration information to determine a CSI measurement value; perform the received power measurement based on the resource configuration information and the second measurement configuration information to determine a received power measurement value; and transmit the CSI measurement value using the one or more first measurement feedback resources indicated by the first measurement configuration information, and transmit the received power measurement value using the one or more second measurement feedback resources indicated by the second measurement configuration information.
In view of
Chen [0067] - Park [p. 23-24] – Sadeghi [115].
1. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) comprising at least one processor configured to cause the WTRU to:
receive reference measurement resource (RMR) configuration information via radio resource control (RRC) signaling, the RMR configuration information received via the RRC signaling indicating one or more RMR configurations, wherein each RMR configuration of the one or more RMR configurations represents a set of resources, and
wherein the RMR configuration information received via the RRC signaling comprises a respective RMR identifier (ID) that identifies a corresponding set of resources associated with a RMR configuration of the one or more RMR configurations;
receive a measurement configuration via the RRC signaling, wherein the measurement configuration is associated with a measurement feedback configuration that points to at least one of the one or more RMR configurations;
determine, based on the measurement configuration, a type of measurement to be performed using the at least one of the one or more RMR configurations;
determine, based on the measurement feedback configuration, feedback resources for reporting at least one measurement associated with the at least one of the one or more RMR configurations; and
report the at least one measurement associated with the at least one of the one or more RMR configurations using the feedback resources.
A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), comprising: a processor configured to: receive resource configuration information that comprises a first resource element mapping for a first subset of reference signals, a first periodicity for the first subset of reference signals, a second resource element mapping for a second subset of reference signals, and a second periodicity for the second subset of reference signals; receive first measurement configuration information, the first measurement configuration information indicating that the WTRU is to perform a first type of measurement out of a plurality of types of measurements for feedback reporting using the first subset of the reference signals indicated by the resource configuration information and that the first type of measurement is a channel state information (CSI) measurement, wherein the first measurement configuration information indicates one or more first measurement feedback resources, the one or more first measurement feedback resources comprising one or more of time, frequency, code, or beam resources; determine, based on the first measurement configuration information, whether the first type of measurement is to be reported at a wideband level or a subband level, and determine, based on the second measurement configuration information, whether the second type of measurement is to be reported at a wideband level or a subband level; receive second measurement configuration information, the second measurement configuration information indicating that the WTRU is to perform a second type of measurement out of a plurality of types of measurements for feedback reporting using the second subset of the reference signals indicated by the resource configuration information and that the second type of measurement is a received power measurement, wherein the second measurement configuration information indicates one or more second measurement feedback resources, the one or more second measurement feedback resource comprising one or more of time, frequency, code, or beam resources, wherein the one or more second measurement resources are different from the one or more first measurement feedback resources; perform the CSI measurement based on the resource configuration information and the first measurement configuration information to determine a CSI measurement value; perform the received power measurement based on the resource configuration information and the second measurement configuration information to determine a received power measurement value; and transmit the CSI measurement value using the one or more first measurement feedback resources indicated by the first measurement configuration information, and transmit the received power measurement value using the one or more second measurement feedback resources indicated by the second measurement configuration information.
In view of
Chen [0067] - Park [p. 23-24] – Sadeghi [115].
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 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.
Claim(s) 1-2, 4-12 and 14, 16-17, 19-24 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable by Chen (US 2014/0044040) in view of Park (WO 2015/156573) and further in view of Sadeghi (WO 2016/077701).
Regarding Claim 1 (Currently Amended),
A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) comprising at least one processor configured to cause the WTRU to:
receive reference measurement resource (RMR) configuration information via radio resource control (RRC) signaling, the RMR configuration information received via the RRC signaling indicating one or more RMR configurations [Chen: 0060; a cell may configure a UE with a plurality of CSI-RS configurations for one or more purposes (step 512); the cell may send upper-layer signaling indicating the plurality of CSI-RS configurations configured for the UE (step 514); 0063; a UE may be configured with two sets of CSI-RS configurations via upper-layer signaling; 0081; the UE may receive upper-layer signaling (e.g., RRC signaling) indicating the plurality of CSI-RS configurations configured for the UE],
wherein each RMR configuration of the one or more RMR configurations represents a set of resources [Chen: 0039; LTE Release 10 and later supports a number of CSI-RS configurations; each CSI-RS configuration is associated with specific subcarriers, specific symbols, and specific slots in which CSI-RS may be transmitted; 0062; the UE may perform communication tasks (e.g., CSI feedback) associated with the first two sets of CSI-RS configurations in the first subframe; the UE may perform communication tasks (e.g., CoMP set management) associated with the five sets of CSI-RS configurations in the second subframe; the UE may also perform de-rate matching based on the first two sets of CSI-RS configurations in the first subframe and based on the five sets of CSI-RS configurations in the second subframe], and
receive a measurement configuration … wherein the measurement configuration is associated with a measurement feedback configuration that points to at least one of the one or more RMR configurations [Chen: measurement configuration == active CSI-RS configuration; 0060; the cell may determine at least one active CSI-RS configuration for the UE (step 518); the cell may send lower-layer signaling indicating the at least one active CSI-RS configuration for the UE (step 520); 0062; active CSI-RS configurations may be determined and applied in various manners; the UE may receive lower-layer signaling indicating that only the first two sets of CSI-RS configurations are active in a first subframe and that all five sets of CSI-RS configurations are active in a second subframe; 0064; the UE may receive signaling indicating that only one set of CSI-RS configurations active; the UE may then perform communication tasks related to the active set of CSI-RS configuration; 0070; 0083; 0076; for CSI feedback, a UE may be configured with (i) one or more sets of CSI-RS configurations for channel estimation and (ii) one or more sets of CSI-RS configurations for interference estimation; the UE may perform channel estimation based on the set(s) of CSI-RS configurations designated for channel estimation and may perform interference estimation based on the set(s) of CSI-RS configurations designated for interference estimation; 0097; 0102];
determine, based on the measurement configuration, a type of measurement to be performed using the at least one of the one or more RMR configurations [Chen: 0061; for example, the cell may perform rate matching and the UE may perform de-rate matching based on the at least one active CSI-RS configuration; as another example, the UE may determine and report CSI and the cell may receive CSI feedback based on the at least one active CSI-RS configuration; 0062; the UE may perform communication tasks (e.g., CSI feedback) associated with the first two sets of CSI-RS configurations in the first subframe; the UE may perform communication tasks (e.g., CoMP set management) associated with the five sets of CSI-RS configurations in the second subframe; the UE may also perform de-rate matching based on the first two sets of CSI-RS configurations in the first subframe and based on the five sets of CSI-RS configurations in the second subframe; 0069; for example, one set of CSI-RS configurations for CSI channel measurement and one set of CSI-RS configurations for interference measurement may always be active for the UE; as another example, all non-zero-power CSI-RS configurations for the UE may always be active; 0086];
determine, based on the measurement feedback configuration, feedback resources for reporting at least one measurement associated with the at least one of the one or more RMR configurations; and report the at least one measurement associated with the at least one of the one or more RMR configurations using the feedback resources [Chen: 0064; a UE may be configured with a first set of CSI-RS configurations for a first cell and a second set of CSI-RS configuration for a second cell; the first and second cells may correspond to two cells in a Node B, two carriers of the same eNB, two cells in two eNBs, etc.; the UE may receive signaling indicating that only one set of CSI-RS configurations active; the UE may then perform communication tasks related to the active set of CSI-RS configurations; 0070; the UE may perform de-rate matching only for active CSI-RS configurations and not for inactive CSI-RS configurations; the UE may perform de-rate matching for CSI-RS configurations for CSI feedback and CoMP set management and may not perform de-rate matching for CSI-RS configurations for RLM/RRM; 0076; for CSI feedback, a UE may be configured with (i) one or more sets of CSI-RS configurations for channel estimation and (ii) one or more sets of CSI-RS configurations for interference estimation; the UE may perform channel estimation based on the set(s) of CSI-RS configurations designated for channel estimation and may perform interference estimation based on the set(s) of CSI-RS configurations designated for interference estimation; 0097; 0102].
However, Chen does not teach that the RMR configuration information received via the RRC signaling comprises a respective RMR identifier (ID) that identifies a corresponding set of resources associated with a RMR configuration ….
Park teaches:
wherein the RMR configuration information received via the RRC signaling comprises a respective RMR identifier (ID) that identifies a corresponding set of resources associated with a RMR configuration of the one or more RMR configurations [Park: p. 23-24; the first CSI-RS configuration may include at least one of an ID, a low U physical cell ID, a first scrambling ID, first frequency / time resource location information, and a first subframe offset of the first CSI-RS configuration; the ID of the first CSI-RS configuration is used to identify each configuration when a plurality of CSI-RS configurations exist in the terminal; the physical cell ID included in the first CSI-RS configuration is used to identify a CRS / PSS / SSS capable of QCL assumption with the first CSI-RS].
However, Chen-Park does not teach a limitation which recites receiving a measurement configuration via the RRC signaling.
Sadeghi teaches:
receive a measurement configuration via the RRC signaling, wherein the measurement configuration is associated with a measurement feedback configuration that points to at least one of the one or more RMR configurations [Sadeghi: 0115; a measurement indication may include an indication to start or stop making one or more measurements which may be configured by physical layer and/or higher layer signaling such as RRC signaling; an indication of the start of active time for an LAA cell may enable measurements related to the LAA cell; an indication of the end of active time for an LAA cell or the completion of the duration (for example, an indicated duration) of the active time of the cell may disable measurements related to the LAA cell and/or enable measurements related to one or more other cells and/or users (or potential users) of a channel].
It would have been obvious for POSITA before the effective filing date of the invention to combine the teachings of Chen, Park, and Sadeghi in order to efficiently transmit and receive a discovery signal in a wireless communication system [Park: p. 5] and to attempt to minimize interference and provide for fairness among the users of the spectrum [Sadeghi: 0061].
Regarding Claim 2,
wherein the at least one processor is configured to cause the WTRU to report the at least one measurement based on an RMR ID for the at least one of the one or more RMR configurations [Chen: 0067; signaling may indicate whether each set of CSI-RS configurations is active; for example, a UE may be configured with N sets of CSI-RS configurations, where N may be any integer value of one or greater; a bitmap of N bits may be defined and may include one bit for each set of CSI-RS configurations configured for the UE; each bit of the bitmap may be set to (i) a first value (e.g., `1`) if the set of CSI-RS configurations associated with that bit is active or (ii) a second value (e.g., `0`) if the associated set of CSI-RS configurations is not active; 0083; each bit of the bitmap may indicate whether an associated set of CSI-RS configurations is active for the UE; 0084; the second signaling may comprise a bitmap with at least one bit for the at least one group of CSI-RS configurations; each bit of the bitmap may indicate whether an associated group of CSI-RS configurations is active for the UE; 0091; the second signaling may comprise a bitmap with one bit for each set of CSI-RS configurations or one bit for each group of at least one set of CSI-RS configurations; 0070; in one example, the UE may perform de-rate matching only for active CSI-RS configurations and not for inactive CSI-RS configurations].
Regarding Claim 4 (Currently Amended),
wherein the measurement configuration indicates a trigger for reporting the at least one measurement associated with a first RMR configuration of the at least one of the one or more RMR configurations, and the at least one processor is configured to cause the WTRU to:
detect the trigger for reporting the at least one measurement associated with the at least one of the one or more RMR configurations; and report the at least one measurement associated with the at least one of the one or more RMR configurations using the feedback resources based on detecting the trigger [Chen: trigger == signaling; 0062; the UE may receive lower-layer signaling indicating that only the first two sets of CSI-RS configurations are active in a first subframe and that all five sets of CSI-RS configurations are active in a second subframe; the UE may perform communication tasks (e.g., CSI feedback) associated with the first two sets of CSI-RS configurations in the first subframe; the UE may perform communication tasks (e.g., CoMP set management) associated with the five sets of CSI-RS configurations in the second subframe; 0065; signaling may be sent in various manners to indicate active CSI-RS configurations for a given UE; 0066; in one example, a base station/cell may send signaling on the PDCCH and/or ePDCCH to indicate which CSI-RS configurations are active; 0067; in one example, signaling may indicate whether each set of CSI-RS configurations is active. For example, a UE may be configured with N sets of CSI-RS configurations, where N may be any integer value of one or greater; a bitmap of N bits may be defined and may include one bit for each set of CSI-RS configurations configured for the UE].
Regarding Claim 5,
wherein the measurement feedback configuration is received in downlink control information (DCI) [Chen: 0062; the UE may receive lower-layer signaling indicating that only the first two sets of CSI-RS configurations are active in a first subframe and that all five sets of CSI-RS configurations are active in a second subframe; 0065; the group of UEs may monitor a multicast/groupcast channel (e.g., similar to DCI 3/3A group power control sent on the PDCCH in LTE) for signaling indicating active CSI-RS configurations and may perform de-rate matching and/or other communication tasks based on the signaling; 0066; in one example, a base station/cell may send signaling on the PDCCH and/or ePDCCH to indicate which CSI-RS configurations are active].
Regarding Claim 6 (Previously Presented),
wherein the at least one measurement is associated with a subset of resources of a first RMR configuration of the at least one of the one or more RMR configurations [Chen: 0062; the UE may receive lower-layer signaling indicating that only the first two sets of CSI-RS configurations are active in a first subframe and that all five sets of CSI-RS configurations are active in a second subframe; the UE may perform communication tasks (e.g., CSI feedback) associated with the first two sets of CSI-RS configurations in the first subframe; the UE may perform communication tasks (e.g., CoMP set management) associated with the five sets of CSI-RS configurations in the second subframe].
Regarding Claim 7 (Currently Amended),
the at least one processor is configured to cause the WTRU to:
receive first downlink control information indicates activation of at least a second RMR configuration of the one or more RMR configurations; and receive second DCI that indicates deactivation of at least the second RMR configuration of the one or more RMR configurations [Chen: 0065; the group of UEs may monitor a multicast/groupcast channel (e.g., similar to DCI 3/3A group power control sent on the PDCCH in LTE) for signaling indicating active CSI-RS configurations and may perform de-rate matching and/or other communication tasks based on the signaling; 0066; a base station/cell may send signaling on the PDCCH and/or ePDCCH to indicate which CSI-RS configurations are active; 0069; the sets of CSI-RS configurations for the UE may be arranged into (i) a primary group of CSI-RS configurations that is always active for the UE and (ii) one or more secondary groups of CSI-RS configurations that can be activated or deactivated for the UE; 0086; the plurality of CSI-RS configurations may include a CSI-RS configuration that can be activated or deactivated for a first communication task and is always active for a second communication task].
Regarding Claim 8,
wherein the first DCI and the second DCI reference the second RMR configuration associated with a second RMR ID [Chen: RMR ID == bit of bitmap set to “1”; 0065; the group of UEs may monitor a multicast/groupcast channel (e.g., similar to DCI 3/3A group power control sent on the PDCCH in LTE) for signaling indicating active CSI-RS configurations and may perform de-rate matching and/or other communication tasks based on the signaling; 0067; in one example, signaling may indicate whether each set of CSI-RS configurations is active; for example, a UE may be configured with N sets of CSI-RS configurations, where N may be any integer value of one or greater; a bitmap of N bits may be defined and may include one bit for each set of CSI-RS configurations configured for the UE; each bit of the bitmap may be set to (i) a first value (e.g., `1`) if the set of CSI-RS configurations associated with that bit is active or (ii) a second value (e.g., `0`) if the associated set of CSI-RS configurations is not active].
Regarding Claim 9,
wherein the RMR configuration information comprises a second RMR configuration indicating a set of resources to be used for interference measurement [Chen: 0069; UE may have one or more sets of CSI-RS configurations that may always be active for the UE. For example, one set of CSI-RS configurations for CSI channel measurement and one set of CSI-RS configurations for interference measurement may always be active for the UE].
Regarding Claim 10,
Chen teaches that the UE may be configured with one or more sets of CSI-RS configurations for CSI feedback, one or more sets of CSI-RS configurations for CoMP set management, one or more sets of CSI-RS configurations for RLM/RRM [Chen: 0070].
However, Chen does not teach that the measurement configuration indicates at least one RMR configuration for which the WTRU is to perform quasi co-location (QCL) related measurements
Park teaches:
wherein the measurement configuration indicates at least one RMR configuration for which the WTRU is to perform quasi co-location (QCL) related measurements [Park: p. 4; a terminal that receives a discovery signal (Di discovery signal) in a wireless communication system, the discovery signal including a CSI-RS (Channel State Information Reference Signal) configuration from the base station A receiver receiving the setting; And a processor configured to perform RRM (Radio Resource Management) measurement on the discovery signal based on the discovery signal setting, wherein the ^ processor comprises: a first CSI in which the discovery signal is received based on the first CSI-RS setting; The first CSI-RS and the cell-specific when the first cell ID included in the RS and the first cell ID included in the first CSI-RS configuration is a cell-specific reference signal. Assuming that the reference signal is quasi co-located (QCL), at least one of the characteristics of the radio channel that assumes QCL between the first CSI-RS and the cell-specific reference signal for the RRM measurement is a CSI measurement].
It would have been obvious for POSITA before the effective filing date of the invention to combine the teachings of Chen and Park in order to efficiently transmit and receive a discovery signal in a wireless communication system [Park: p. 5].
Regarding claims 11-12 and 14, 16-17, and 19-20, which recite the same claim limitations as those in claims 1-2, 4-7, and 9-10 above, the same rationale of rejection as presented in claims 1-2, 4-7, and 9-10 is applicable.
Regarding Claim 21 (New),
wherein each RMR configuration of the one or more RMR configurations is associated with a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) configuration [Chen: 0039; LTE Release 10 and later supports a number of CSI-RS configurations; each CSI-RS configuration is associated with specific subcarriers, specific symbols, and specific slots in which CSI-RS may be transmitted; 0060; a cell may configure a UE with a plurality of CSI-RS configurations for one or more purposes (step 512); the cell may send upper-layer signaling indicating the plurality of CSI-RS configurations configured for the UE (step 514)].
Regarding Claim 22 (New), which recite the same claim limitations as those in claim 21 above, the same rationale of rejection as presented in claim 21 is applicable.
Regarding Claim 23 (New),
wherein the measurement configuration is associated with an aperiodic measurement feedback configuration [Chen: aperiodic == triggered by one or more events; 0065; signaling may be sent in various manners to indicate active CSI-RS configurations for a given UE; in one example, unicast signaling indicating active CSI-RS configurations may be sent specifically to the UE; the unicast signaling may be sent (i) when triggered by one or more events, e.g., when there is a change in active CSI-RS configurations for the UE].
Regarding Claim 24 (New), which recite the same claim limitations as those in claim 23 above, the same rationale of rejection as presented in claim 23 is applicable.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 1/15/26 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
Applicant argues regarding claim 1 on pages 8-9 of the Remarks section that the cited references (Chen-Park-Sadeghi) do not teach a measurement feedback configuration that is used to determine feedback resources and also points to at least one of the one or more RMR configurations. Chen’s lower layer signaling is not a measurement feedback configuration that points to at least one of the one or more RMR configurations because the UE in Chen does not determine feedback resources based on this lower layer signaling. The claimed limitation calls for RRC signaling (a higher layer signaling), whereas Chen refers to lower layer signaling. Park also fails to teach this limitation. Finally, the measurement indication (i.e. indication to start or stop making measurements) in Sadeghi is not analogous to the measurement feedback configuration because there is no description in Sadeghi of the measurement indication being used to point to an RMR configuration; and the WTRU in Sadeghi does not determine feedback resources based on this measurement indication.
Examiner’s Response:
The claims and only the claims form the metes and bounds of the invention. “Office personnel are to give claims their broadest reasonable interpretation in light of the supporting disclosure. In re Morris, 127 F.3d 1048, 1054-55, 44 USPQ2d 1023, 1027-28 (Fed. Cir. 1997). Limitations appearing in the specification but not recited in the claim are not read into the claim. In re Prater, 415 F.2d 1393, 1404-05, 162 USPQ 541, 550-551 (CCPA 1969)” (MPEP p 2100-8, c 2, I 45-48; p 2100-9, c 1, I 1-4). The Examiner has full latitude to interpret each claim in the broadest reasonable sense. The Examiner will reference prior art using terminology familiar to one of ordinary skill in the art. Such an approach is broad in concept and can be either explicit or implicit in meaning. The claim limitations at issue merely recite “… receive a measurement configuration via the RRC signaling … associated with a measurement feedback configuration that points to at least one of the one or more RMR configurations … determine, based on the measurement feedback configuration, feedback resources for reporting at least one measurement associated with at least one of the one or more RMR configurations ….” First, Chen has been cited to teach this limitation (see Chen: 60, 62, 64; 70, 76, 83, 97, 102) except for “via the RRC signaling”, for which Sadeghi in Chen-Park-Sadeghi combination has been cited (see above). Second, absent any specific recitation of “feedback resources” in claim limitations, this term has been construed under the BRI standard in view of the Specification.
In Chen, active CSI-RS configuration has been mapped to “measurement configuration”, where UE receives signaling indicating that only one set of CSI-RS configurations active. These active CSI-RS configurations so indicated are used to perform communication tasks [Chen: 0064]. In that context, one such communication task of CSI feedback is based on the set of CSI-RS configurations designated for channel estimation and interference estimation [Chen: 0076; 0097; 0102]. Because “each CSI-RS configuration is associated with specific subcarriers, specific symbols, and specific slots …” [Chen: 0039]; therefore, such indicated and designated set of CSI-RS configurations for CSI feedback are also inherently associated with specific subcarriers, specific symbols, and specific slots (thus mapping to “feedback resources” as claimed). In conclusion, Chen teaches this limitation above except for “via the RRC signaling”, for which Sadeghi has been cited; thus, Chen-Park-Sadeghi combination teaches the whole limitation at issue above.
Conclusion
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SAAD A. WAQAS
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 2468
/Saad A. Waqas/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2468