Patent Application 17992531 - ENHANCED FR2 TRACKING PROCEDURES FOR NR SIDELINK

Title: ENHANCED FR2 TRACKING PROCEDURES FOR NR SIDELINK SYSTEMS
Application Information

Invention Title: ENHANCED FR2 TRACKING PROCEDURES FOR NR SIDELINK SYSTEMS
Application Number: 17992531
Submission Date: 2025-05-14T00:00:00.000Z
Effective Filing Date: 2022-11-22T00:00:00.000Z
Filing Date: 2022-11-22T00:00:00.000Z
National Class: 370
National Sub-Class: 329000
Examiner Employee Number: 84299
Art Unit: 2467
Tech Center: 2400
Rejection Summary

102 Rejections: 1
103 Rejections: 7
Cited Patents

The following patents were cited in the rejection:
Office Action Text


    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.


The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.

	
Claims 1, 4 and 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 applications subject to pre-AIA  35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.

Claim 1, 4 and 20 are recites the limitation "the one or more beam reference signals" in claim limitation directed to the special slot.  There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Examiner Note: For the purpose of examination, the Examiner has interpreted “the one or more beam reference signals” as “the one or more beam measurement reference signals”


Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –

(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.

Claim(s) 1, 6, 7, 14, 15, 18-20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Liu et al. US 2022/0046430 (hereinafter Liu).

Regarding claim 1, Liu a method comprising: 
determining, by a first user equipment (UE), one or more beam measurement reference signals corresponding to one or more beamform configurations for transmitting frequency range 2 (FR2) sidelink (SL) transmissions to a second UE,  ([Liu, Figs. 4A-6 and 10, ¶52-¶53, ¶77 and ¶111] The UE 302a is the transmitting UE which determines beam measurement reference signals shown in Figs 5-6 and described in ¶111, which are transmitted over corresponding configured and formed beams in a/each single slot (wherein each configured beam is indicative of the beam configuration) which are transmitted for reception over a sidelink channel to the receiving UE 302b as noted in Fig. 10.)

wherein a special slot within a regular resource pool comprises the one or more beam reference signals and the one or more beam measurement reference signals relate to one or more beamform configurations; and 
([Liu, Fig. 5, ¶93-¶94 & ¶105 (resource pool for sidelink communication is configured to the UEs 302) and ¶111] The slot 402a in Fig. 5 of Liu is interpreted to be a special slot as is meets the claimed features of being within a regular resource pool comprising the one or more beam reference signals as shown in Fig. 5 relating to the beam form configurations as shown by the beams 420-424 which are each formed to different to have different orientations)

configuring the first UE, based at least in part on the one or more beam measurement reference signals, to transmit and receive FR2 SL transmissions with the second UE according to at least a beamform configuration of the one or more beamform configurations.
([Liu, Fig. 10, Steps 1010-1040 and 1060] The transmitting UE 302a is configured based at least in part on the one more beam measurement signals (see Steps 1010-1030) to transmit and receive FR2 SL transmissions (as shown in Step 1060 as the UE 302a participating in sidelink communication) with the receiving UE 302b according to at least a beamform configuration of the one or more beamform configurations which is depicted in Fig. 10, Step 1060 as according to the preferred transmit beam direction)). 


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Regarding claim 18, Liu teaches a method comprising: 
receiving, by a second user equipment (UE), one or more beam measurement reference signals corresponding to one or more beamform configurations for transmitting frequency range 2 (FR2) sidelink (SL) transmissions to a first UE; 
([See Liu, Fig. 10, 1010, ¶56 and ¶168] The receiving UE 320b receives the transmitted one or more measurement reference signals shown in Step 1010 of Fig. 10 corresponding to the beamform configurations for transmitting FR2 SL transmissions to the transmitting UE 302a. It is noted that channel reciprocity may be applied to the transmitting UE 302a and receiving UE 302b such that the same set of transmit-receive beams may be used for the reverse direction.)

generating, by the second UE, based at least in part on the one or more beam measurement reference signals received, beam-form candidate data corresponding to a preferred-candidate beamform configuration to transmit and receive FR2 SL transmissions with the first UE; and 
[See Liu, Fig. 10, Step 1020 (beam selection) and Step 1030 (the Receiving UE 302b performs transmission (interpreted as the claimed “generating”) of the indication of preferred transmit beam direction (interpreted as the claimed beam-form candidate data corresponding to the preferred-candidate beamform configuration to transmit and receive FR2 SL transmissions with the transmitting UE 302a as also noted in Liu ¶56) based on the received beam measurement signals at the receiving UE 302b].

configuring the second UE to accept a beamform configuration based on the beam- form candidate data generated. ([Liu, Fig. 10, Steps 1020 and 1050-1060 and ¶56] The receiving UE 302b is configured to accept the beamform configuration based on the beam-form candidate data generated at Step 1020 and corresponding receive beam selected at Step 1050 corresponding to the selected transmit beam at Step 1020. Additionally, as mentioned in ¶56 of Liu cited above, the receiving UE 302b is able to be configured to accept a beamform configuration based on the beam-form candidate data generated by utilizing channel reciprocity that is configured for the receiving UE 302b such that when operating in a FR2 band the UEs (transmitting UE 302a and receiving UE 302b) use the same the preferred transmit beam and the preferred receive beam direction in the reverse link.)

Regarding claim 20, Liu teaches a system comprising: 
a second user equipment (UE) configured to generate beamform candidate data in response to receiving beam data corresponding to one or more beamform configurations; and 
([Liu, Figs. 1-4A, 10 and 12 (depicts the system). Also see Figs. 4A-5 and 8 (depicts the beamform configurations)] The receiving UE 302b (interpreted as the claimed second UE) is configured to generate a beamform candidate (the preferred transmit beam direction shown in Step 1030) in response to receiving beam data corresponding to one or more beamform configurations (shown in Fig. 10, Step 1010 as the plurality of first beam measurement signal in a plurality of transmit beam directions).)

a first UE configured to: 
determine one or more beam measurement reference signals corresponding to one or more beamform configurations for transmitting frequency range 2 (FR2) sidelink (SL) transmissions to the first UE, 
([See Liu, Fig. 10, Steps 1010-1050, ¶56 and ¶77] The transmit UE 302a (interpreted as the claimed first UE) determines one or more beam measurement reference signals corresponding to one or more beam configurations for transmitting FR2 SL transmissions to the first UE by performing the steps 1010-1040 to determine which transmit beam configuration and which receive beamform configuration pair according to the preferred beams selected according to the best beam measurement signals corresponding thereto will be used on the forward link for FR2 SL communications to send SL transmissions to the receiving UE 302b, wherein it is determined that this transmit and receive beamform configuration pair will also be used in the reverse link to send FR2 communications from the receiving UE 302b to the transmit UE 302a)

wherein a special slot within a regular resource pool comprises the one or more beam reference signals and the one or more beam measurement reference signals relate to one or more beamform configurations; and 
([Liu, Figs. 4A-4B, 5 and 8] Resource pool 408/808 depicts the reference pool comprising beam reference signals and the beam measurement reference signals relate to one or more beamform configurations 420-426 and also note the special slot 402.)

configure a beamform, based on beam-from candidate data received form the second UE, to transmit and receive FR2 SL transmissions with the second UE according to at least a beamform configuration of the one or more beamform configurations.
([Liu, Figs. 4A-5 and 10, Step 1030 and ¶56 & ¶77] the transmit UE 302a configures a beamform, based on the beam-form candidate received from the receiving UE 302b in Step 1030, to transmit and receive FR2 SL transmissions with the second UE according to at least a beamform configuration of the one or more beamform configurations that are part of the transmit side beam sweep performed in step 1010 and the receive side beam selection 1050 for performing FR2 SL transmission and reception communications using the selected transmit and receive beamform pairs of the forward link that are also used as the transmit and receive beamform pairs of the reverse link between the transmit UE 302a and the receive UE 302b as disclosed in ¶56 and ¶77)

Regarding claim 6, Liu teaches the method of claim 1, wherein the one or more beam measurement reference signals include a PHY signaling field indicating the presence of the beam sweeping information in the special slot. [Liu, Fig. 5, ¶53 and also see ¶79 and ¶111 SCI-1 or SCI-2 may be utilized and included for the one or more beam measurement reference signals indicating the presence of the beam sweeping information in the slot, ¶80 of the Applicant’s Specification as filed equates PHY layer signaling to the 1st stage or the 2nd stage SCI.]

Regarding claim 7, Liu teaches the method of claim 1, further comprising: sending, by the first UE, the special slot comprising the one or more beam measurement reference signals to the second UE [Liu, Fig. 5, Slot 402a (Special Slot comprising a plurality of beam measurement signals) and Fig. 10, Step 1010 (Transmitting UE 302a performs the sending of the plurality of beam measurement signals)]; and 
receiving, from the second UE, a signal corresponding to a beam sweeping performed with the beam sweeping information, wherein configuring the first UE to transmit and receive FR2 SL transmissions in based on the signal corresponding to the beam sweeping [Liu, Fig. 10, Steps 1030-1060 and ¶56 and ¶77 (Receiving from the receiving UE 302b a signal corresponding to the beam sweeping performed with beam sweeping information of the preferred transmit beam direction (beam sweeping is described by Liu as the transmitting in a plurality of transmit beam directions), wherein the transmitting UE 302a is configured to transmit and receive FR2 SL transmissions at Step 1060 based on the received signal of Step 1030 corresponding to the beam sweeping].

Regarding claim 14, Liu teaches the method of claim 1, wherein the first UE is further configured to transmit and receive PSSCH signals with the second UE over FR2 and PSCCH signals over FR1.
[Liu, Figs. 4a-4b and 10, ¶49 ¶85 and ¶97] The transmitting UE 302a may operate (transmit and receive) over an FR1 band. The transmitting UE may transmit and receive PSCCH signals with a receiving UE 302b. [Liu, ¶52 and ¶101] It is also additionally disclosed that the transmitting UE 302a and the receiving UE 302b may communicate with each other over a FR2 band for PSSCH communication/signals.

Regarding claim 15, Liu teaches the method of claim 1, wherein the one or more beamform configurations comprises at least a first beamform configuration including a first width for PSCCH transmissions and a second beamform configuration including a second size that is different from the first size for PSSCH transmissions [Liu, Figs. 4-5, ¶96-¶97 (The PSCCH 452 and PSSCH 454) are transmitted with different beams 420-426 and the beams are generated by the UE such that the beams may have difference sizes/widths].

Regarding claim 19, Liu teaches the method of claim 18, further comprising: receiving, from the first UE, multiple repetitions of the one or more beamform configurations; and sweeping, by the second UE, the one or more beamform configuration received from the first UE to direct a receiving beam of the second UE. [Liu, Fig. 7, ¶127 (The UE 302a may use each SPS process 750 to sweep one beam direction (e.g., the beam 420, 422, 424, or 426). For instance, there may be a one-to-one correspondence between transmit beam directions and SPS processes. The association or correspondence between each SPS process 750 and beam direction can be preconfigured. The SPS may be repeated in time, at every SPS period 702. In other words, the set of mini-slots 701 for beam sweeping may be repeated at every SPS period 702.)]


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) 2-4 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Liu as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Ganesan et al. US 2020/0252990 (hereinafter Gane).

Regarding claim 2, Liu teaches the method of claim 1, (See the rejection of claim 1 above), it teaches the beamform configuration of the one or more beamform configurations is a preferred-candidate beamform configuration as determined from the one or more beam measurement reference signals. ([Liu, Fig. 5, ¶115] Liu teaches wherein the receiving UE 302b communicates to the transmitting UE 302a feedback information on the beamform configuration of the one or more beamform configurations that is a preferred candidate beamform configuration as determined (via a selection process) from the one or more beam measurement reference signals sent to the receiving UE 302b), but it does not teach wherein the one or more beam measurement reference signals are previously received from the second UE.

However, Gane teaches wherein the one or more beam measurement reference signals are previously received from the second UE. ([Gane, Fig. 12 ¶105-¶110, ¶143, ¶151- ¶154] Gane discloses that a first instance of sidelink communication may have occurred between a transmitting UE and a receiving UE over a sidelink during which the sidelink may have began to deteriorate or experience failure. In response to the detection of the sidelink deterioration/failure, receiving UE may send a sidelink failure report to the transmitting UE. This recovery report comprises one more beam measurement reference signals (later referred to as the one or more beam measurement reference signals previously received from the receiving UE) that are used in the sidelink failure recovery procedure to create a second instance of sidelink communication occurring between the transmitting UE and the receiving UE. During this sidelink failure recovery procedure to UEs (the transmitting UE and the receiving UE) setup of this second instance of sidelink communication using the one or more beam measurement reference signals previously received from the receiving UE in the report.)

It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to combine the teachings of Liu, indicating an establishment of UE to UE sidelink communication using beam sweeping techniques and beamform measurement reference signals, with the teachings of Gane, indicating wherein the one or more beam measurement reference signals are previously received from the second UE. The resulting benefit of the combination would have been the ability to exchange information relating to the best or preferred candidate beams which may be retained and utilized for more efficient and quicker establishing sidelink communication.

Regarding claim 3, Liu teaches the method of claim 1, 
(See the rejection of claim 1, wherein the establishing of sidelink communications is performed by Liu in Fig. 10 and the condition of the link is monitored to detect a radio link failure.), but it does not teach determining, based at least on one or more signals received from the second UE, that the previous beamform configuration of the one or more beamform configurations is deteriorating.

However Gane teaches a method further comprising: maintaining a configuration of the first UE corresponding to a previous beamform configuration of the one or more beamform configurations; and determining, based at least on one or more signals received from the second UE, that the previous beamform configuration of the one or more beamform configurations is deteriorating.
([Gane, Figs. 4 and 12, ¶53] Gane indicates that there are two sidelink communications instances with the teachings of performing a sidelink failure recovery procedure in step 1208 of Fig. 12 in response to a detected sidelink failure in step 1206. The first sidelink communication instance is interpreted as the previous sidelink communication instance and then there is a detected failure and recovery procedure to progress to the subsequent sidelink communications instance.  ¶52 Gane teaches wherein the beamformed communications (indicative of communications using a pervious beamform configuration) may experience failure. Gane in Fig. 4 indicates that the beam configuration of the first vehicle (interpreted as being the first UE or transmitting UE) shown at first time 404 is maintained at a third time 408 located after the first time 404 and second time 406, wherein the first UE determines based on the signals received from the second vehicle (interpreted as the receiving UE or the second UE) that the beamform configuration of the one or more beamform configurations is deteriorating as indicated by the detected interference at second time 406 and the partial blockage/interference as third time 408 which allows for the reception of signals exchanged between the first vehicle and the second vehicle.)

It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to combine the teachings of Liu, indicating an establishment of UE to UE sidelink communication using beam sweeping techniques, with the teachings of Gane, indicating determining that the previous beamform configuration of the one or more beamform configurations is deteriorating. The resulting benefit of the combination would have been the ability to monitor sidelink conditions and potentially make saving adjustments to the beamform configuration that promote the UEs’ ability to maintain sidelink communication.


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Regarding claim 4, the combination of Liu, in view of Gane teaches the method of claim 3, wherein: the one or more beam reference signals are generated in response to the determination that the previous beamform configuration is deteriorating; ([Gane, Fig. 12, ¶108] The beamform type sidelink communication method of Gane teaches wherein the sideline may be recovered after a detected sidelink failure (interpreted as the deteriorating prior beamform configuration) by initiating the sidelink failure recovery procedure which comprises sending a report to a first UE comprising a candidate reference signals for beam measurement.)

the one or more beam measurement reference signals are sent from the first UE to the second UE; and  ([Liu, Figs. 5 and 10, Step 1010] Liu teaches wherein beam measurement reference signals are sent from the first UE 302a to the second UE 302b as shown in Step 1010.)

configuring the first UE to transmit and receive FR2 SL transmissions according to the beamform configuration is further based at least in part on a beamform sweeping signal received from the second UE after the second UE has collected measurement data. ([Liu, Fig. 10, ¶52 and ¶104 (FR2 based SL communications)] Liu teaches configuring the first UE 302a to transmit and receive FR2 SL transmissions according to the beamform configuration (step 1060) is further based at least in part on a beamform sweeping signal (shown as the exchange of the beam sweep signals transmitted in different beam directions at step 1010) received from the second UE (the second UE sends may the preferred transmit beam direction selected of the beam sweep signals at step 1030) after the second UE has collected measurement data (the second UE 302b receives the beam sweep at Step 1010, selects the preferred beam based on measurements at Step 1020).)
	The obviousness and motivation to combine the applied references is the same rationale that was applied to the rejection of claim 3 above.
Claim(s) 5 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Liu as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Wang et al. US 2022/0272679 (hereinafter Wang).

Regarding claim 5, Liu teaches the method of claim 1 and Liu also teaches in Figs. 3-5 wherein the format of the slot (interpreted as the special slot) 402/402a comprises SCI information it teaches an associated priority with the SCI information of the slot, but it does not teach the being dependent of a priority [Liu, Figs. 3-5], but it does not teach wherein the SCI information comprises the priority for the transmission resources. 

However, Wang teaches wherein the SCI information comprises the priority for the transmission resources (interpreted as being dependent of a priority) and is used to determine whether a resource or future resource is available (interpreted as being configurable per resource pool) [Wang, ¶80].

It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to combine the teachings of Liu, indicating for sidelink communications, the format of the slot comprises SCI information, with the teachings of Wang indicating that the SCI information comprises the priority for the transmission resources. The benefiting result of utilizing (higher) priority for ensuring that the indicated sidelink resources are reliability identified and processed for communication.

Claim(s) 8 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Liu as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of TSAI et al. US 2022/0399927 (hereinafter TSAI)
Regarding claim 8, Liu teaches the method of claim 1, wherein the first UE generates the special slot including beam sweeping information [See Liu, Figs. 5 (slot 402a interpreted as the special slot) including beam sweeping information corresponding to beams 420-424], but it does not teach the generation of beam sweeping information in response to counting a consecutive number of NACK signals received at the first UE or based on a request received from the second UE.
However, TSAI teaches the generation of beam sweeping information in response to counting a consecutive number of NACK signals received at the first UE or based on a request received from the second UE [See TSAI, Fig. 2, Steps 202-203, ¶61-¶62 (beam sweeping information in response to counting a consecutive number of NACKs)].

It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to combine the teachings of Liu, indicating the gerneation of the special slot including beam sweeping information, with the teachings of TSAI, disclosing the generation of beam sweeping information in response to counting a consecutive number of NACK signals received at the first UE or based on a request received from the second UE. The resulting benefit of the combination would have been the ability to determine and report a beam failure indication for indicating link failure [TSAI, ¶61].

Claim(s) 9 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Liu as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of XUE et al. US 2023/0095891 (hereinafter Xue).

Regarding claim 9, Liut teaches the method of claim 1 (See the rejection of claim 1 above), but it does no teach further comprising:
a consideration of multiple beamform configurations for establishing a sidelink as shown in Fig. 10 of Liu, but it does not teach receiving from a third UE, an indication of a second set of multiple beamform configuration.

However, Xue teaches receiving, from the second UE, an indication of a first set of multiple beamform configurations for transmitting and receiving data ; and 

receiving, from a third UE, an indication of a second set of multiple beamform configurations for transmitting and receiving data; wherein configuring the first UE according to the beamform configuration of the one or more beamform configurations is based on an overlap between the first set of multiple beamform configurations and the second set of multiple beamform configurations.
[Xue, Fig. 3, ¶105 (sidelink channel scheduling communication is exchanged between a set of three UEs to negotiate/finalize the schedule of resources between a first UE, second UE and a third UE (the set of three UEs)), ¶111 & ¶114-¶115 (the first UE receiving from the second UE configures beams according to the scheduling information of the beamform configuration resources of second UE and third UE for sidelink channels) and ¶179 (overlaps between the second set of resource (interpreted as the claimed first set of resources) and third set of resources of sidelink channels corresponding to the beam configurations for respective second UE and a third UE are utilized for configuring of the beamform configuration resources.)]

It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to combine the teachings of Liu, indicating the ability utilize beamform configurations to establish a sidelink between at least two UEs shown as the transmitting UE 302a and the receiving UE 302b, with the teachings of Xue, indicating that three UEs may be present and the configuration the beamform configuration(s) of first UE is based on an overlap between the first set or multiple beamform configurations and the second set of beamform configurations  The resulting benefit of the combination would have been the ability to improved communication reliability, more efficient utilization of communication resources, improved coordination between devices [Xue, ¶196].

Claim(s) 11 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Liu as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Deng et al. US 2021/0176735 (hereinafter Deng)
Regarding claim 11, Liu teaches the method of claim 1, wherein configuring the first UE to transmit and receive FR2 SL transmissions according to the beamform configuration [Liu, Figs. 5 and 10, ¶77], but it does not teach that it comprises adjusting a beam width of the beamform configuration.

However, Deng teaches wherein beamforming for the sidelink may be adjusted by widening the beam [Deng, ¶105]

It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to combine the teachings of Liu, indicating the configuring of the first UE to transmit and receive FR2 SL transmissions according to the beamform configuration with the teachings of Deng, indicating that the beamforming for the sidelink may be adjusted by widening the beam. The resulting benefit of the combination would have been the ability to maintain comparable spatial coverage with fewer beams in a SL transmission window [Deng, ¶104].

Claim(s) 12 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Liu, in view of Deng as applied to claim 11 above, and further in view of Kotecha et al. US 2020/0366360 (hereinafter Kotecha).

Regarding claim 12, the combination of Liu, in view of Kotecha teaches the method of claim 11, wherein adjusting the beam width of the beamform configuration (see the rejection of claim 11 above), but it does not teach that it further comprises widening a beam width is response to a reduction in latency when searching for alternative beams.

However, Kotecha teaches widening a beam width in response to a reduction in latency when searching for alternative beams. ([Kotecha, ¶3 and ¶26] Kotecha teaches wherein the searching using an increased number of beams having a smaller width will produce latencies which are able to be reduced by increasing the width of the beam to utilize a wider beam (with fewer beams that before). Thus, the wider beams are noted as corresponding to reduced latency which is performed in order to meet minimized latency constraints.)

It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to combine the teachings of Liu, in view of Deng, indicating the adjusting of the beam width of the beamform configuration, with the teachings of Kotecha, disclosing that widening a beam width is in response to a reduction in latency when searching for alternative beams. The resulting benefit of the combination would have been the ability to maximize coverage while meeting reduced latency constraints [Kotecha, ¶26].

Claim(s) 17 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Liu as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Freda et al. US 2022/0150730 (hereinafter Freda).

Regarding claim 17, Liu teaches the method of claim 1 (See the rejection of claim 1 above),
 wherein first UE comprises a resource pool for sending and receiving beam reference signal transmissions [See Liu, Fig. 8, 808 and also Fig 4A (resource pool for sending and receiving beam reference signal transmissions)], but it does not teach that the resource pool is a dedicated resource pool.
	However, Freda teaches wherein the resource pool is a dedicated resource pool [Freda, ¶280]

It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to combine the teachings of Liu, indicating the ability to utilize a resource pool for beam reference signal communication, with the teachings of Freda, indicating that a resource pool for RS communication may be a dedicated resource pool. The resulting benefit of the combination would have been the ability to improve the efficiency of selecting resources for communicating reference signals. 

Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 10, 13 and 16 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.

The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter:  
The Examiner has conducted a search of the available Patent and Non-Patent Literature and was unable to find any prior art which teaches either solely or in combination with another reference the claimed features of the following claims, in combination with all the claim limitations of their respective base claim and all intervening claims: 

Claim 10. The method of claim 2, wherein configuring the first UE to transmit and receive FR2 SL transmissions according to the beamform configuration is further based on a decoding of a bit-signal received from the second UE based on a predetermined coding paradigm.
	Claim 13. The method of claim 11, wherein adjusting the beam width of the beamform configuration comprises narrowing a beamwidth to improve a link quality between the first UE and the second UE when a relative distance between UEs is stable or shrinking.

Claims 16. The method of claim 1, wherein: the one or more beam measurement reference signals corresponds to one or more differential indexes; and 
the beamform configuration for which the first UE is configured to transmit and receive FR2 SL transmissions is determined based on at least one differential indexes received from the second UE and a previous beamform configuration of the first UE.

Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to LONNIE V SWEET whose telephone number is (571)270-3622. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday.

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/LONNIE V SWEET/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2467
Patent Application 17992531 - ENHANCED FR2 TRACKING PROCEDURES FOR NR SIDELINK - Rejection

Patent Application 17992531 - ENHANCED FR2 TRACKING PROCEDURES FOR NR SIDELINK

Application Information

Rejection Summary

Cited Patents

Office Action Text

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