Patent Application 17857586 - METHODS APPARATUS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONFIGURING - Rejection
Patent Application 17857586 - METHODS APPARATUS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONFIGURING
Title: METHODS, APPARATUS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONFIGURING MICRO SERVICE AREAS IN A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION
Application Information
- Invention Title: METHODS, APPARATUS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONFIGURING MICRO SERVICE AREAS IN A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION
- Application Number: 17857586
- Submission Date: 2025-05-12T00:00:00.000Z
- Effective Filing Date: 2022-07-05T00:00:00.000Z
- Filing Date: 2022-07-05T00:00:00.000Z
- National Class: 455
- National Sub-Class: 456100
- Examiner Employee Number: 79293
- Art Unit: 2647
- Tech Center: 2600
Rejection Summary
- 102 Rejections: 0
- 103 Rejections: 1
Cited Patents
The following patents were cited in the rejection:
- US 0190010đ
- US 0394749đ
Office Action Text
DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
I. The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Response to Amendment
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
II. 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 allowance or after an Office action under Ex Parte Quayle, 25 USPQ 74, 453 O.G. 213 (Comm'r Pat. 1935). 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, prosecution in this application has been reopened pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on April 18, 2025 has been entered.
Information Disclosure Statement
III. The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on April 18, 2025 was filed after the mailing date of the Notice of Allowance on March 31, 2025. The submission is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
Specification
IV. The specification is objected to as failing to provide proper antecedent basis for the claimed subject matter. See 37 CFR 1.75(d)(1) and MPEP § 608.01(o).
Correction of the following is required:
Claims 1-2, 10-12, and 19-20 recite âa paging strategyâ in line 7. The claimed "paging strategyâ is not recited in the specification as filed nor in the specification of related application PCT/CN2020/070232. Therefore, the specification and/or claims should be amended so that the terminology of the original claims follows the nomenclature of the specification.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of 35 U.S.C. 112(a):
(a) IN GENERAL.âThe specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor or joint inventor of carrying out the invention.
V. Claims 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) as failing to comply with the enablement requirement. The claim(s) contains subject matter which was not described in the specification in such a way as to enable one skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and/or use the invention.
Claim 1 recites âwherein in a paging strategy for the wireless communication device is determined based on the micro service area associated with the wireless communication device according to a configuration, and wherein the paging strategy includes at least one of: paging beams for the wireless communication device or a paging area rangeâ in lines 7-11. The specification as filed does not provide enablement for this limitation.
The specification as filed and the specification of related application PCT/CN2020/070232 does enable:
a micro service area determined based on the determined range of a reference signal received power (RSRP) (see the specification, page 7 at paragraph [0036]);
for a stationary UE, a user in a micro service area may use paging parameters or TAC characteristics of the micro service area for paging monitoring wherein the paging parameters include at least the number of PDCCH repetitions (see the specification, page 17 at paragraph [0081]);
information related to tracking area code (TAC) characteristics of the UE that is utilized to estimate information related to a range for paging associated with the UE (see the specification, page 8 at paragraph [0037]);
a micro service area associated with the UE, wherein the UE determines a configuration related to uplink transmissions of the UE and the UE transmits an uplink transmission to the BS based on the micro service area according to the configuration (see the specification, page 14 at paragraph [0065]);
However, the above specifications do not provide enablement for âa paging strategy for the wireless communication device is determined based on the micro service area associated with the wireless communication device according to a configuration, and wherein the paging strategy includes at least one of: paging beams for the wireless communication device or a paging area rangâ in such a way as to enable one skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and/or use the invention.
Claims 2-19 are dependent on claim 1 and are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) for lack of enablement for the same reasons given above regarding claim 1.
Claim 20 contains limitations similar to the ones recited above in claim 1. Therefore, claim 20 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) for lack of enablement for the same reasons given above regarding claim 1.
The following prior art rejection is based on the best possible interpretation of the claim language in light of the above rejections under 35 U.S.C. 112(a).
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.âThe 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.
VI. Claims 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor regards as the invention.
Claim 1 recites âwherein in a paging strategy for the wireless communication device is determined based on the micro service area associated with the wireless communication device according to a configurationâ in lines 7-9.
First, It is unclear whether the phrase âaccording to a configurationâ refers to the âpaging strategyâ or âthe micro service area associated with the wireless communication deviceâ. The limitation renders the claim indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor regards as the invention.
Second, it is unclear what is meant by the term âconfigurationâ and/or how it relates to the either the paging strategy or the micro service area. The specification describes a configuration related to uplink transmission of the UE and the UE transmitting an uplink transmission to the Base Station (BS) based on the micro service area according to the configuration (see the specification, page 14 at paragraph [0065]). The specification does not describe a configuration as claimed. The limitation renders the claim indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor regards as the invention.
For purposes of examination, the examiner will treat the following quotation from claim 1 âwherein in a paging strategy for the wireless communication device is determined based on the micro service area associated with the wireless communication device according to a configurationâ as âwherein in a paging strategy for the wireless communication device is determined based on the micro service area associated with the wireless communication deviceâ.
Claims 2-19 are dependent on claim 1 and are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) for being indefinite for the same reasons given above regarding claim 1.
Claim 20 contains limitations similar to the ones recited above in claim 1. Therefore, claim 20 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) for being indefinite for the same reasons given above regarding claim 1.
The following prior art rejection is based on the best possible interpretation of the claim language in light of the above rejections under 35 U.S.C. 112(b).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
VII. Claims 1-2, 11-12, and 20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Chai (US 2018/020719 A1) in view of Cho (US 2011/0190010 A1).
Regarding claim 1 Chai teaches a method performed by a wireless communication device, the method comprising: receiving, from a wireless communication node, micro service areas related information related to a plurality of micro service areas of a cell (see paragraphs [0086] â [0087] & [0098], The network device configures a micro cell of UE. The network device may configure a plurality of micro cells for the UE. The network device configures the micro cells and sends configuration information to the UE. This reads on method performed by a wireless communication device, the method comprising: receiving, from a wireless communication node, micro service areas related information related to a plurality of micro service areas of a cell); and determining, from the plurality of micro service areas, a micro service area associated with the wireless communication device (see paragraphs [0088] â [0089], The UE access the micro cell based on configuration information of the micro cell, the configuration information may include at least one of an identifier, access information, or measurement information of the micro cell. This reads on determining, from the plurality of micro service areas, a micro service area associated with the wireless communication device).
Chai does not specifically teach wherein in a paging strategy for the wireless communication device is determined based on the micro service area associated with the wireless communication device, and wherein the paging strategy includes at least one of: paging beams for the wireless communication device or a paging area range.
Cho teaches wherein in a paging strategy for the wireless communication device is determined based on the micro service area associated with the wireless communication device (see paragraph [0035], It is possible to regulate a paging area based on a geographical characteristic. For example, in a subway a long paging area may be set along a track of the subway. This reads on a paging strategy for the wireless communication device is determined based on the micro service area associated with the wireless communication device) and wherein the paging strategy includes at least one of: paging beams for the wireless communication device or a paging area range (see paragraph [0035], It is possible to regulate a paging area based on a geographical characteristic. For example, in a subway a long paging area may be set along a track of the subway. This reads on wherein the paging strategy includes a paging area range).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to make the micro service area in Chai adapt to include a paging strategy for the wireless communication device is determined based on the micro service area associated with the wireless communication device, and wherein the paging strategy includes at least one of: paging beams for the wireless communication device or a paging area range because it would allow for user friendly and efficient management of a paging in micro service areas (see Cho, paragraph [0003]).
Regarding claim 2 Cho teaches determining, based on the micro service area associated with the wireless communication device, at least one of:
whether an access to the wireless communication node is allowed;
a range of neighbor cells to be measured;
a timing advance (TA) value used by the wireless communication device;
a reference value of an uplink transmit power for the wireless communication device; or
a paging strategy for a stationary wireless communication device (see paragraphs [0035] & [0037], A small paging area for a stationary UE reads on determining, based on the micro service area associated with the wireless communication device, at least one of: a paging strategy for a stationary wireless communication device).
Regarding claim 11 Chai teaches transmitting micro services areas related information to a wireless communication device see paragraphs (see [0086] â [0087] & [0098], The network device configures a micro cell of UE. The network device may configure a plurality of micro cells for the UE. The network device configures the micro cells and sends configuration information to the UE. This reads on transmitting micro services areas related information to a wireless communication device see paragraphs), and wherein: the wireless communication node is associated with a cell covering a plurality of micro service areas (see paragraph [0082] and Fig. 2, the micro base station may be the network device and reads on wherein: the wireless communication node is associated with a cell covering a plurality of micro service areas), and a micro service area associated with the wireless communication device is determined from the plurality of micro service areas (see paragraphs [0088] â [0089], The UE access the micro cell based on configuration information of the micro cell, the configuration information may include at least one of an identifier, access information, or measurement information of the micro cell. This reads on a micro service area associated with the wireless communication device is determined from the plurality of micro service areas).
Cho teaches determining, based on the micro service area associated with the wireless communication device a paging strategy for the wireless communication device (see paragraph [0035], It is possible to regulate a paging area based on a geographical characteristic. For example, in a subway a long paging area may be set along a track of the subway. This reads on determining, based on the micro service area associated with the wireless communication device a paging strategy for the wireless communication device), wherein the paging strategy includes at least one of: paging beams for the wireless communication device or a paging area range (see paragraph [0035], It is possible to regulate a paging area based on a geographical characteristic. For example, in a subway a long paging area may be set along a track of the subway. This reads on wherein the paging strategy includes a paging area range).
Regarding claim 12 Chai and Cho teach limitations as recited in claim 2 and therefore claim 12 is rejected for the same reasons given above.
Regarding claim 20 Chai teaches a wireless communication device configured to: receive, from a wireless communication node, micro service areas related information related to a plurality of micro service areas of a cell (see paragraphs [0086] â [0087] & [0098], The network device configures a micro cell of UE. The network device may configure a plurality of micro cells for the UE. The network device configures the micro cells and sends configuration information to the UE. This reads on method performed by a wireless communication device, the method comprising: receiving, from a wireless communication node, micro service areas related information related to a plurality of micro service areas of a cell); and determine, from the plurality of micro service areas, a micro service area associated with the wireless communication device (see paragraphs [0088] â [0089], The UE access the micro cell based on configuration information of the micro cell, the configuration information may include at least one of an identifier, access information, or measurement information of the micro cell. This reads on determining, from the plurality of micro service areas, a micro service area associated with the wireless communication device).
Chai does not specifically teach wherein in a paging strategy for the wireless communication device is determined based on the micro service area associated with the wireless communication device, and wherein the paging strategy includes at least one of: paging beams for the wireless communication device or a paging area range.
Cho teaches wherein in a paging strategy for the wireless communication device is determined based on the micro service area associated with the wireless communication device (see paragraph [0035], It is possible to regulate a paging area based on a geographical characteristic. For example, in a subway a long paging area may be set along a track of the subway. This reads on a paging strategy for the wireless communication device is determined based on the micro service area associated with the wireless communication device) and wherein the paging strategy includes at least one of: paging beams for the wireless communication device or a paging area range (see paragraph [0035], It is possible to regulate a paging area based on a geographical characteristic. For example, in a subway a long paging area may be set along a track of the subway. This reads on wherein the paging strategy includes a paging area range).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to make the micro service area in Chai adapt to include a paging strategy for the wireless communication device is determined based on the micro service area associated with the wireless communication device, and wherein the paging strategy includes at least one of: paging beams for the wireless communication device or a paging area range because it would allow for user friendly and efficient management of a paging in micro service areas (see Cho, paragraph [0003]).
Conclusion
VIII. The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Islam et al. Pub. No.: US 2019/0394749 A1 discloses paging configuration in beamformed wireless communications including a base station transmitting a plurality of SSMs to UEs located within the coverage area of the base station, wherein a paging transmission is quasi-co-located (QCL) with the corresponding SSB (see Islam, paragraphs [0086] â [0087]).
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/BRANDON J MILLER/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2647
May 9, 2025