www.uspto.gov
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and TrademarkOffice
`Address; COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`
`16/499,949
`
`10/01/2019
`
`SHOTARO MAKI
`
`731456.569USPC
`
`6241
`
`Seed IP Law Group LLP/Panasonic (PIPCA)
`701 5th Avenue, Suite 5400
`Seattle, WA 98104
`
`LATORRE,IVAN O
`
`ART UNIT
`
`2414
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`07/13/2021
`
`ELECTRONIC
`
`Please find below and/or attached an Office communication concerning this application or proceeding.
`
`The time period for reply, if any, is set in the attached communication.
`
`Notice of the Office communication was sent electronically on above-indicated "Notification Date" to the
`following e-mail address(es):
`USPTOeAction @ SeedIP.com
`
`pairlinkdktg @seedip.com
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`1-11,14 and 16 is/are pending in the application.
`)
`Claim(s)
`5a) Of the above claim(s) ___ is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`(J Claim(s)__ is/are allowed.
`Claim(s) 1-5,7-8,11,14 and 16 is/are rejected.
`Claim(s) 6 and 9-10 is/are objected to.
`1) Claim(s
`are subject to restriction and/or election requirement
`)
`* If any claims have been determined allowable, you maybeeligible to benefit from the Patent Prosecution Highway program at a
`participating intellectual property office for the corresponding application. For more information, please see
`http:/Awww.uspto.gov/patents/init_events/pph/index.jsp or send an inquiry to PPHfeedback@uspto.gov.
`
`) ) ) )
`
`Application Papers
`10) The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`11)() The drawing(s) filedon__ is/are: a)C) accepted or b)C) objected to by the Examiner.
`Applicant may not request that any objection to the drawing(s) be held in abeyance. See 37 CFR 1.85(a).
`Replacement drawing sheet(s) including the correction is required if the drawing(s) is objected to. See 37 CFR 1.121 (d).
`
`Priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119
`12). Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d)or (f).
`Certified copies:
`cc) None ofthe:
`b)L) Some**
`a)D) All
`1.1) Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2.1) Certified copies of the priority documents have beenreceived in Application No.
`3.2.) Copies of the certified copies of the priority documents have been receivedin this National Stage
`application from the International Bureau (PCT Rule 17.2(a)).
`* See the attached detailed Office action for a list of the certified copies not received.
`
`Attachment(s)
`
`1)
`
`Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`
`2) (J Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`3) (J Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`(Qj Other:
`
`4)
`
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mail Date 20210707
`
`Application No.
`Applicant(s)
`16/499,949
`MAKI etal.
`
`Office Action Summary Art Unit|AIA (FITF) StatusExaminer
`IVAN O LATORRE
`2414
`Yes
`
`
`
`-- The MAILING DATEofthis communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address --
`Period for Reply
`
`A SHORTENED STATUTORY PERIOD FOR REPLYIS SET TO EXPIRE 3 MONTHS FROM THE MAILING
`DATE OF THIS COMMUNICATION.
`Extensions of time may be available underthe provisions of 37 CFR 1.136(a). In no event, however, may a reply betimely filed after SIX (6) MONTHSfrom the mailing
`date of this communication.
`If NO period for reply is specified above, the maximum statutory period will apply and will expire SIX (6) MONTHSfrom the mailing date of this communication.
`-
`- Failure to reply within the set or extended period for reply will, by statute, cause the application to become ABANDONED (35 U.S.C. § 133}.
`Any reply received by the Office later than three months after the mailing date of this communication, evenif timely filed, may reduce any earned patent term
`adjustment. See 37 CFR 1.704(b).
`
`Status
`
`1) Responsive to communication(s)filed on July 1, 2021.
`C) A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/werefiled on
`
`2a)L) This action is FINAL. 2b)¥)This action is non-final.
`3)02 An election was madeby the applicant in responseto a restriction requirement set forth during the interview
`on
`; the restriction requirement and election have been incorporated into this action.
`4\0) Since this application is in condition for allowance except for formal matters, prosecution as to the merits is
`closed in accordance with the practice under Exparte Quayle, 1935 C.D. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/499,949
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 2
`
`DETAILED ACTION
`
`1.
`
`This office action is a response to the Request for Continued Examination (RCE)filed on
`
`July 1, 2021.
`
`2.
`
`3.
`
`4,
`
`Claims 1-11, 14 and 16 are pending.
`
`Claims 1-5, 7, 8, 11, 14 and 16 are rejected.
`
`Claims 6, 9 and 10 are objected to.
`
`Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
`
`5.
`
`The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013,
`
`is being examined underthe
`
`first inventor to file provisions of the AIA.
`
`Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
`
`6.
`
`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, thefinality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to
`
`37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on July 1, 2021 has been entered.
`
`Response to Arguments
`
`7.
`
`Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) 1-14 and 16 have been considered but are
`
`moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior
`
`rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument. The
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/499,949
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 3
`
`rejection has been revised and set forth below according to the amended claims (See Office
`
`Action).
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`8.
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which formsthe basis for all obviousness
`
`rejections set forth in this Office action:
`
`A patent fora 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 theclaimed invention as a whole would have been obviousbefore the effective
`filing date of the claimed invention toa 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.
`
`9.
`
`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-AJA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the
`
`statutory basis for the rejection will not be considered a new ground ofrejection if the prior art
`
`relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same undereither status.
`
`10.
`
`This application currently names jomt inventors. In considering patentability of the
`
`claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly
`
`ownedasof 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 asof 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.
`
`11.
`
`Claims 1, 2 and 14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over
`
`Yokomakura et al. U.S. Patent Application Publication 2020/0196332, hereinafter
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/499,949
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 4
`
`Yokomakura’332,
`
`in view of Li et al. U.S. Patent Application Publication 2019/0326964,
`
`hereinafter Li.
`
`Regarding Claim 1, Yokomakura’332 discloses a transmitter (Abstract; Figure 1, 5, 6
`
`and 7) comprising:
`
`circuitry, which, in operation maps a phase tracking reference signal onto a subcarrier
`
`which is determined by using an index for identification of a mobile station (Claim 1 and 6;
`
`Paragraph [0015-0018] A transmitting unit configured to transmit a PUSCH, wherein the
`
`multiplexer maps the PTRSsignal to a subcarrier based on atleast an offset of a frequency
`
`position, a C-RNTI, the number of resource blocks to be scheduled, and a frequency density of
`
`the PTRS; Paragraph [0120, 0132-0134 and 0155-0156] Furthermore, the time position may be
`
`determined based on information for indicating a unique ID ofthe terminal apparatus 1, and
`
`Cell-Radio Network Temporary Identifier (C-RNTD, scramble ID, user-specific ID, PTRS ID, or
`
`the like, may be used as the information for indicating the unique ID of the terminal apparatus.
`
`As described above, the time position of the resource element to which the PTRS is mapped may
`
`be determined by using the unique ID of the terminal apparatus; Paragraph [0121] The C-RNTI
`
`may be defined as a user ID for performing unicast data communication. Moreover, the C-RNTI
`
`may be allocated from the base station apparatus 3 during a random access procedure.
`
`Furthermore, the unique ID of the terminal apparatus 1 may be Temporary C-RNTI or RA-RNTI
`
`(Random Access-Radio Network Temporary Identifier),
`
`and a transmitter, which, in operation, transmits a signal containing the phase tracking
`
`reference signal (Claim 1 and 6; Paragraph [0015-0017] mapping a PTRSsignal generated based
`
`on a pseudo-random code to a subcarrier based onatleast an offset of a frequency position, a C-
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/499,949
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 5
`
`RNTI, the number of resource blocks to be scheduled, and a frequency density of the PTRS; and
`
`transmitting the PUSCH to which the PTRSsignal is mapped; Paragraph [0068-0074] The PTRS
`
`is used to track phase according to movementof the terminalor the like).
`
`Yokomakura’332 discloses mapping a phase tracking reference signal onto a subcarrier
`
`by using an index for identification of a mobile station and briefly discloses utilizing identical
`
`antenna ports for the demodulation reference signal and phase tracking reference signals but fails
`
`to disclose mapping a phase tracking reference signal onto a subcarrier on which a demodulation
`
`reference signal is mapped, a precoding applied to the demodulation reference signal being the
`
`same as a precoding applied to the phase tracking reference signal.
`
`However, Li more specifically teaches mapping a phase tracking referencesignal onto a
`
`subcarrier on which a demodulation reference signal is mapped (Figure 3 and 5; Paragraph
`
`[0166-0174 and 0196-0197] sub-frame configuration of reference signals (including PTRSs and
`
`DMRSs), where there are 14 OFDM symbols and 12 sub-carriers in total in a sub-frame;
`
`Mapping and transmission of Phase tracking reference signals together with demodulation
`
`referencesignal in 5subcarrier),
`
`a precoding applied to the demodulation reference signal being the same as a precoding
`
`applied to the phase tracking reference signal (Paragraph [0140-0141 and 0255] Precoder used
`
`by the transmitter for a PTRSis the sameas or related to precoder used by a data stream over a
`
`sub-carrier occupied by the PTRS, the data stream corresponds toa DMRSport corresponding to
`
`the PTRS. If the PTRS port corresponds to one DMRSport, then precoder used for the PTRS of
`
`the PTRS port is the same as precoder used by a data stream corresponding to the DMRSport
`
`corresponding to the PTRS port, over the sub-carrier occupied the PTRS; Thatis Li teaches the
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/499,949
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 6
`
`use of asame precoding applied to ademodulation reference signal and phase tracking reference
`
`signal which can be transmitted together on a same subcarrier).
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill
`
`in the art before the effective filing
`
`date of the claimed invention to modify the teachings of Yokomakura’332 with the teachings of
`
`Li. Li provides a solution which enables accurately determining the phase changes caused by the
`
`different phase noises evenif different antennas of a transmitting end have different phase
`
`noises, so that all data transmitted by the different antenna groups can be accurately demodulated
`
`according to different phase changes (Li Abstract; Paragraph [0002-0012]).
`
`Regarding Claim 2, Yokomakura’332 in view ofLi discloses the transmitter according
`
`to Claim 1. Yokomakura’332 in view of Li further discloses wherein the phase tracking
`
`reference signal is mapped onto a subcarrier determined using either an index for identification
`
`of a cell or group or higher layer signaling (Yokomakura’332 Paragraph [0012-0013] a receiver
`
`configured to receive an RRCsignal and, in a case that a plurality of the PTRS are coded or
`
`scrambled, and mapped to the resource element whichis identical, an index number for
`
`identifyng asequence which has been coded or scrambled is notified by the RRC; Paragraph
`
`[0120-0125 and 0156] The first method causes the PTRS of the multiple terminal apparatuses 1
`
`to be mapped to resource elements at mutually different time positions for a same frequency
`
`position. The time position may be configured by the base station apparatus 3, and may be
`
`configured, activated, or indicated via RRC, MAC, or DCI; Paragraph [0183-0185] The higher
`
`layer processing unit 301 performs processing of the Medium Access Control (MAC) layer, the
`
`Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, the Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, and the
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/499,949
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 7
`
`Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer. The radio resource control unit 3011 manages various
`
`configuration information for each of the terminal apparatuses).
`
`Regarding Claim 14, see the rejection of Claim 1. Claim 1 is an apparatus claim
`
`corresponding to the method of Claim 14 with the same features. Therefore the same rejection
`
`applies as the rejection of Claim 1.
`
`12.
`
`Claims 3-5 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over
`
`Yokomakura’332 in view of Li as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Takedaetal.
`
`U.S. Patent Application Publication 2018/0183491, hereinafter Takeda.
`
`Regarding Claim 3, Yokomakura’332 in view of Li discloses the transmitter according
`
`to Claim 1. Yokomakura’332 in view of Li fails to explicitly disclose wherein the phase tracking
`
`referencesignal is subjected to frequency hopping every unit time.
`
`However, Takeda teaches wherein the phase tracking reference signal is subjected to
`
`frequency hopping every unit time (Paragraph [0085] The frequency hopping pattern that is
`
`applied to the PDSCH from the frequency hopping patterns that are determined in advance
`
`amongaplurality of narrow bands that constitute the whole system band); Paragraph [0085] The
`
`frequency hopping pattern that is applied to the PDSCH from the frequency hopping patterns that
`
`are determined in advance amonga plurality of narrow bandsthat constitute the whole system
`
`band); Paragraph [0064-0068, 0139-0143 and 0157] Offsets applied to reference signals. Time
`
`offset with respect to subframe where the determined frequency hopping pattern starts and
`
`starting index).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/499,949
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 8
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill
`
`in the art before the effective filing
`
`date of the claimed invention to modify the teachings of Yokomakura’332 in view of Li with the
`
`teachings of Takeda. Takeda provides techniques in which frequency diversity effect of the
`
`downstream signal can be acquired when the downstream signal with respect to the user
`
`terminal. The frequency diversity effect is improved. Since the frequency diversity effectis
`
`acquired, the decline in frequency usage efficiency can be suppressed (Takeda Abstract;
`
`Paragraph [0002-0014]).
`
`Regarding Claim 4, Yokomakura’332 in view of Li and Takeda disclose the transmitter
`
`according to Claim 3. Yokomakura’332 in view of Li and Takeda further disclose wherein the
`
`phase tracking reference signal is subjected to a hopping offset determined by using either an
`
`index for identification of a cell, group, or mobile station or a time-domain index (Takeda
`
`Paragraph [0064-0068, 0139-0143 and 0157] Offsets applied to reference signals. Time offset
`
`with respect to subframe where the determined frequency hopping pattern starts and starting
`
`index).
`
`Regarding Claim 5, Yokomakura’332 in view of Li and Takeda disclose the transmitter
`
`according to Claim 4. Yokomakura’332 in view of Li and Takeda further disclose wherein the
`
`time-domain index is a symbol number, a slot number, a minislot number, a subframe number, or
`
`a frame number (Takeda Paragraph [0064-0068, 0139-0143 and 0157] Time offset with respect
`
`to subframe where the determined frequency hopping pattern starts and starting index).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/499,949
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 9
`
`13.
`
`Claim 7 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yokomakura’332 in
`
`view of Li as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Yokomakuraetal. U.S. Patent
`
`Application Publication 2020/0008102, hereinafter Yokomakura’ 102.
`
`Regarding Claim 7, Yokomakura’332 in view of Li discloses the transmitter according
`
`to Claim 1. Yokomakura’332 in view of Li fails to explicitly disclose wherein the circuitry,
`
`in
`
`operation, maps, at regular spacings in a frequency domain, a plurality of the phase tracking
`
`referencesignals transmitted at a given time.
`
`However, Yokomakura’102 more specifically teaches wherein the circuitry,
`
`in operation,
`
`maps, at regular spacings in a frequency domain, a plurality of the phase tracking reference
`
`signals transmitted ata given time (Figure 6; Paragraph [0061, 0082-0084 and 0094] Regular
`
`spacing for time slot in which plurality of phase tracking reference signals are transmitted).
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill
`
`in the art before the effective filing
`
`date of the claimed invention to modify the teachings of Yokomakura’332 in view of Li with the
`
`teachings of Yokomakura’102. Yokomakura’102 provides a solution in which a terminal device
`
`communicates efficiently. The performance of phase tracking is improved byincreasing the
`
`number of resource elements with which PTRSis mapped (Yokomakura’ 102 Abstract;
`
`Paragraph [0008-0015]).
`
`14.
`
`Claim 8 and 11 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over
`
`Yokomakura’332 in view of Li as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Lee et al. U.S.
`
`Patent Application Publication 2020/0008228, hereinafter Lee’228.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/499,949
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 10
`
`Regarding Claim 8, Yokomakura’332 in view of Li discloses the transmitter according
`
`to Claim 1. Yokomakura’332 in view of Li fails to explicitly disclose wherein the circuitry,
`
`in
`
`operation, maps, at irregular spacings in a frequency domain, a plurality of the phase tracking
`
`referencesignals transmitted at a given time.
`
`However, Lee’228 more specifically teaches wherein the circuitry,
`
`in operation, maps, at
`
`irregular spacings in a frequency domain, a plurality of the phase tracking referencesignals
`
`transmitted at a given time (Paragraph [0079, 0142 and 0165] The WTRUs102a, 102b, 102c
`
`may communicate with gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c using transmissions associated with a scalable
`
`numerology. For example, the OFDM symbol spacing and/or OFDM subcarrier spacing may
`
`vary for different transmissions, different cells, and/or different portions of the wireless
`
`transmission spectrum. The WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may communicate with gNBs 180a, 180b,
`
`180c using subframe or transmission time intervals (TTIs) of various or scalable lengths (e.g.,
`
`containng varying number of OFDM symbols and/or lasting varying lengths of absolute time).
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill
`
`in the art before the effective filing
`
`date of the claimed invention to modify the teachings of Yokomakura’332 in view of Li with the
`
`teachings of Lee’228. Lee’ 228 provides a solution which enables satisfying varying quality of
`
`service (QoS) requirements of data such as differing throughput requirements, latency
`
`requirements, error tolerance requirements, reliability requirements, data throughput
`
`requirements and mobility requirements in aneffective manner. The method enable allowing an
`
`Evolved node B (eNB) to perform phase tracking to correct for WTRU transmitter phase noise
`
`when the WTRU performs the PNRS transmissions in an Uplink (UL). The method enables
`
`attaching a Cyclic Prefix (CP) to beginning of a symbol in order to avoid inter-symbol
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/499,949
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 11
`
`interference (ISI), thus allowing single-tap frequency domain equalization (FDE) ata receiver in
`
`an effective manner (Lee’228 Abstract; Paragraph [0002-0003, 0059 and 0090]).
`
`Regarding Claim 11, Yokomakura’332 in view of Li discloses the transmitter according
`
`to Claim 1. Yokomakura’332 in view of Li fails to explicitly disclose wherein in a case where
`
`there is coordination among cells, the circuitry,
`
`in operation, maps, at regular spacings in a
`
`frequency domain, a plurality of the phase tracking reference signals that are transmitted ata
`
`given time and, in a case where there is no coordination among the cells, maps the plurality of
`
`phase tracking reference signals at irregular spacings in the frequency domain.
`
`However, Lee’228 more specifically teaches wherein in a case wherethere is
`
`coordination amongcells, the circuitry,
`
`in operation, maps, at regular spacings in a frequency
`
`domain, a plurality of the phase tracking reference signals that are transmitted at a given time
`
`and, in a case where there is no coordination among the cells, maps the plurality of phase
`
`tracking reference signals at irregular spacings in the frequency domain (Paragraph [0079, 0142
`
`and 0165] The WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may communicate with gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c using
`
`transmissions associated with a scalable numerology. For example, the OFDM symbol spacing
`
`and/or OFDM subcarrier spacing may vary for different transmissions, different cells, and/or
`
`different portions of the wireless transmission spectrum. The WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may
`
`communicate with gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c using subframe or transmission time intervals (TTIs)
`
`of various or scalable lengths (e.g., containing varying number of OFDM symbols and/orlasting
`
`varying lengths of absolute time; Paragraph [0101] Subcarrier spacing may be used or
`
`configured for a unicast traffic (e.g., PDSCH, PUSCH). A set of subcarrier spacing may be used
`
`for a unicast traffic and one of the subcarrier spacings may be configured or used for a PDSCH
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/499,949
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 12
`
`or a PUSCHtransmission, e.g., the PNRS density may be determined based on the subcarrier
`
`spacing used or configured. A set of PNRSdensities may be used and a subset of PNRSdensities
`
`may be determined based onasubcarrier spacing used; That is regular spacing may be used for
`
`individual unicast traffic and irregular spacings when communicating to different devices).
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill
`
`in the art before the effective filing
`
`date of the claimed invention to modify the teachings of Yokomakura’332 in view of Li with the
`
`teachings of Lee’228. Lee’228 provides a solution which enables satisfying varying quality of
`
`service (QoS) requirements of data such as differing throughput requirements, latency
`
`requirements, error tolerance requirements, reliability requirements, data throughput
`
`requirements and mobility requirements in aneffective manner. The method enable allowing an
`
`Evolved node B (eNB) to perform phase tracking to correct for WTRU transmitter phase noise
`
`when the WTRU performs the PNRStransmissions in an Uplink (UL). The method enables
`
`attaching a Cyclic Prefix (CP) to beginning of a symbol in order to avoid inter-symbol
`
`interference (ISI), thus allowing single-tap frequency domain equalization (FDE) ata receiver in
`
`an effective manner (Lee’228 Abstract; Paragraph [0002-0003, 0059 and 0090]).
`
`15.
`
`Claim 16 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yokomakura’332 in
`
`view of Li as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Zhang et al. U.S. Patent
`
`Application Publication 2021/0076389, hereinafter Zhang.
`
`Regarding Claim 16, Yokomakura’332 in view of Li discloses the transmitter according
`
`to Claim 1. Yokomakura’332 in view ofLifails to explicitly disclose wherein the phase tracking
`
`reference signal is mapped onto a different subcarrier for each cell, group, or mobile station.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/499,949
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 13
`
`However, Zhang more specifically teaches wherein the phase tracking referencesignal is
`
`mapped onto a different subcarrier for each cell, group, or mobile station (Paragraph [0039] the
`
`base station can transmit the resource mapping pattern for the PT-RS to the UE via DCI, wherein
`
`the DCI includes one or more values to indicate different resource mapping patterns for the PT-
`
`RS. In yet another example, the base station can determine the resource mapping pattern for the
`
`PT-RS with a subcarrier offset that is based on a cell identity (ID) or a virtual cell ID; Paragraph
`
`[0052] to randomize inter-cell mterference for PT-RS transmission, different cells can transmit
`
`the PT-RS in different subcarriers. For example, when N.sub.cell.sup.[Dmod 3=0 , the PT-RS
`
`can be transmitted in a subcarrier #11, and when N.sub.cell.sup.[Dmod 3=1 , the PT-RS can be
`
`transmitted in a subcarrier #23, and when N.sub.cellsup.[Dmod 3=2, the PT-RS can be
`
`transmitted in a subcarrier #35, wherein N.sub.cell.sup.ID is a physical cell ID. Therefore, a PT-
`
`RS subcarrier offset can be determined based on the physical cell ID or a virtual cell ID).
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill
`
`in the art before the effective filing
`
`date of the claimed invention to modify the teachings of Yokomakura’332 in view of Li with the
`
`teachings of Zhang. Zhang provides a solution in which receiverthat receives the PT-RS(e.g.,
`
`the UEor base station) can measure the phase offset of the PT-RS, and compensate for the phase
`
`offset when performing a channel estimation. An adaptive PT-RSpattern and its control
`
`signalng canbe utilized to enable a more robust PT-RSfor different kinds of scenarios, thus
`
`providing additional flexibility and improved performance for the wireless communication
`
`system (Zhang Abstract; Paragraph [00001-0002, 0035 and 0057]).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/499,949
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 14
`
`Allowable Subject Matter
`
`16.
`
`Claims 6,9 and 10 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.
`
`17.
`
`The following is a statement of reasonsfor the indication of allowable subject matter:
`
`Regarding Claim 6, the prior art of record fail to disclose alone or in any reasonable
`
`combination as required by the dependent claim, “wherein a plurality of the hopping offsets
`
`against a plurality of the phase tracking reference signals that are transmitted from a plurality of
`
`antenna ports, respectively, are identical.”
`
`The Examinernotes the above limitation(s) are not taken alone but in view of the
`
`entirety of the claim languageincluding any preceding claim limitations, any proceeding
`
`claim limitations, and any intervening claim limitations.
`
`Regarding Claim 9, the prior art of record fail to disclose alone or in any reasonable
`
`combination as required by the dependent claim, “wherein the circuitry,
`
`in operation, performs
`
`frequency hopping in a whole band assigned to the mobile station and mapsthe plurality of the
`
`phase tracking reference signals onto any subcarriers within the whole band.”
`
`The Examinernotes the above limitation(s) are not taken alone but in view of the
`
`entirety of the claim languageincluding any preceding claim limitations, any proceeding
`
`claim limitations, and any intervening claim limitations.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/499,949
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 15
`
`Regarding Claim 10, the prior art of record fail to disclose alone or in any reasonable
`
`combination as required by the dependent claim, “wherein the mobile station is assigned a band
`
`divided into a plurality of partial bands, the circuitry,
`
`in operation, maps any one ofthe plurality
`
`of the phase tracking reference signals onto a corresponding one ofthe plurality of partial bands
`
`and performs frequency hopping on the phase tracking reference signal within the corresponding
`
`partial band.”
`
`The Examinernotes the above limitation(s) are not taken alone but in view of the
`
`entirety of the claim languageincluding any preceding claim limitations, any proceeding
`
`claim limitations, and any intervening claim limitations.
`
`Conclusion
`
`18.
`
`Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the
`
`examiner should be directed to IVAN O LATORREwhosetelephone numberis (571)272-6264.
`
`The examiner cannormally be reached on 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
`
`Examiner interviews are available via telephone,
`
`in-person, and video conferencing using
`
`a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is
`
`encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at
`
`http://www.uspto. gov/interviewpractice.
`
`If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s
`
`supervisor, Edan Orgad can be reached on (571) 272-7884. The fax phone numberfor the
`
`organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/499,949
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 16
`
`Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent
`
`Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications
`
`may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished
`
`applications is available through Private PAIR only. For more information about the PAIR
`
`system, see https://ppair-my.uspto.gov/pair/PrivatePair. Should you have questions on access to
`
`the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll
`
`free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to
`
`the automated information system, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA)or 571-272-
`
`1000.
`
`IVAN O. LATORRE
`Primary Examiner
`Art Unit 2414
`
`IVAN O LATORRE/
`Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2414
`
`