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`
`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
`
`05/18/2021
`
`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*
`1-12,14 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`5a) Of the above claim(s) ___ is/are withdrawn from consideration.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) 1-5,7-12,14 and 16 is/are rejected.
`Claim(s) 6 is/are objectedto.
`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 20210415A
`
`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 April 12, 2021.
`C} A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/werefiled on
`2a)¥) This action is FINAL.
`2b) (J 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.
`
`2.
`
`3.
`
`4,
`
`This office action is a response to the amendment and arguments filed on April 12, 2021.
`
`Claims 1-12, 14 and 16 are pending.
`
`Claims 1-5, 7-12, 14 and 16 are rejected.
`
`Claim 6 is 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.
`
`Response to Arguments
`
`6.
`
`Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) 1-12, 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
`
`rejection has been revised and set forth below according to the amended claims (See Office
`
`Action).
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
`
`7.
`
`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 personshall 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.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/499,949
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 3
`
`8.
`
`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.
`
`9.
`
`Claims 1, 2 and 14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by
`
`Yokomakura et al. U.S. Patent Application Publication 2020/0196332, hereinafter
`
`Yokomakura’ 332.
`
`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
`
`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 onatleast 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 of the terminal apparatus 1, and Cell-Radio Network
`
`Temporary Identifier (C-RNTI, 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 auser ID for performing unicast data communication. Moreover, the C-RNTI may
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/499,949
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 4
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`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-
`
`RNTI, the numberof 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 movement of the terminal or the like).
`
`Regarding Claim 2, Yokomakura’332 discloses the transmitter according to Claim 1.
`
`Yokomakura 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
`
`signalng (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 which
`
`is identical, an index numberfor identifying a sequence which has been coded or scrambled is
`
`notified by the RRC; Paragraph [0120-0125 and 0156] The first method causes the PTRSof the
`
`multiple terminal apparatuses | 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
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/499,949
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 5
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`Control (RLC) layer, and the 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.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`10.
`
`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 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.
`
`11.
`
`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 eachclaim that was not commonly owned as ofthe effectivefiling 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.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/499,949
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 6
`
`12.
`
`Claims 3-5 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over
`
`Yokomakura’332 in view of Takeda et al. U.S. Patent Application Publication 2018/0183491,
`
`hereinafter Takeda.
`
`Regarding Claim 3, Yokomakura’332 discloses the transmitter according to Claim 1.
`
`Yokomakura’332 fails to explicitly disclose wherein the phase tracking reference signalis
`
`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).
`
`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
`
`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 effect is acquired, the
`
`decline in frequency usage efficiency can be suppressed (Takeda Abstract; Paragraph [0002-
`
`0014]).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/499,949
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 7
`
`Regarding Claim 4, Yokomakura’332 in view of Takeda disclose the transmitter
`
`according to Claim 3. Yokomakura’332 in view of Takeda further disclose wherein the phase
`
`tracking reference signal is subjected to a hopping offset determined by using either an index for
`
`identification of acell, 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 Takeda disclose the transmitter
`
`according to Claim 4. Yokomakura’332 in view of Takeda further disclose wherein the time-
`
`domain index is asymbol 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).
`
`13.
`
`Claim 7 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yokomakura’332 as
`
`applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Yokomakura etal. U.S. Patent Application
`
`Publication 2020/0008102, heremafter Yokomakura’ 102.
`
`Regarding Claim 7, Yokomakura’332 discloses the transmitter according to Claim 1.
`
`Yokomakura’332 fails to explicitly disclose wherein the circuitry,
`
`in operation, maps, at regular
`
`spacings in a frequency domain, a plurality of the phase tracking reference signals transmitted at
`
`a given time.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/499,949
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 8
`
`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 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 by increasing 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 as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Lee etal. U.S. Patent
`
`Application Publication 2020/0008228, hereinafter Lee’ 228.
`
`Regarding Claim 8, Yokomakura’332 discloses the transmitter according to Claim 1.
`
`Yokomakura’332 fails to explicitly disclose wherein the circuitry,
`
`in operation, maps, at regular
`
`spacings in a frequency domain, a plurality of the phase tracking reference signals 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 reference signals
`
`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
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/499,949
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 9
`
`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 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 an effective manner. The method enable allowmng 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]).
`
`Regarding Claim 11, Yokomakura’332 discloses the transmitter according to Claim 1.
`
`Yokomakura’332 fails to explicitly disclose wherein in a case wherethere 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 at a given time and, in a case wherethere
`
`is no coordination among the cells, maps the plurality of phase tracking referencesignals at
`
`irregular spacings in the frequency domain.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/499,949
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 10
`
`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 wherethere 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
`
`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 PNRS densities
`
`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 effectivefiling
`
`date of the claimed invention to modify the teachings of Yokomakura’332 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
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/499,949
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 11
`
`requirements in an effective 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 (ISD), thus allowing single-
`
`tap frequency domain equalization (FDE) ata receiver in an effective manner (Lee’228 Abstract;
`
`Paragraph [0002-0003, 0059 and 0090]).
`
`15.
`
`Claims 9 and 10 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over
`
`Yokomakura’332 in view of Lee’228 as applied to claim 8 above, and further in view of Takeda
`
`etal. U.S. Patent Application Publication 2018/0183491, hereinafter Takeda.
`
`Regarding Claim 9, Yokomakura’332 in view of Lee’228 disclose the transmitter
`
`according to Claim 8. Yokomakura’332 in view of Lee’228 fail to explicitly disclose wherein the
`
`circuitry,
`
`in operation, performs frequency hopping in a whole bandassigned to the mobile
`
`station and mapsthe plurality of the phase tracking reference signals onto any subcarriers within
`
`the whole band.
`
`However, Takeda more specifically teaches 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 (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).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/499,949
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 12
`
`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 Lee’228
`
`with the teachings of Takeda. Takeda provides techniques in which frequencydiversity 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 10, Yokomakura’332 in view of Lee’228 disclose the transmitter
`
`according to Claim 8. Yokomakura’332 in view of Lee’228 fail to explicitly disclose wherein the
`
`mobile station is assigned a band divided into a plurality of partial bands, the circuitry,
`
`in
`
`operation, maps any one of the plurality of the phase tracking reference signals onto a
`
`corresponding one of the plurality of partial bands and performs frequency hopping on the phase
`
`tracking reference signal within the corresponding partial band.
`
`However, Takeda more specifically teaches wherein the mobile station is assigned a band
`
`divided into a plurality of partial bands, the circuitry,
`
`in operation, maps any oneofthe 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 (Paragraph [0037] Narrow bands comprised of partial bands in which frequency
`
`hopping is applied to downlink signals. The radio base station includes a transmission section
`
`that transmits a downlink signal,
`
`in repetitions,
`
`in narrow bandsthat are subject to frequency
`
`hopping. The radio basestation includes a control section that controls transmission of the
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/499,949
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 13
`
`downlink signal based on a starting index and a frequency offset with respect to a narrow band.
`
`The starting index indicates the narrow band where the downlink signal starts being allocated).
`
`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 Lee’228
`
`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]).
`
`16.
`
`Claim 12 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yokomakura’332 as
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`applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Lee et al. U.S. Patent Application Publication
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`2018/0359071, hereinafter Lee’071.
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`Regarding Claim 12, Yokomakura’332 discloses the transmitter according to Claim 1.
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`Yokomakura’332 fail to explicitly disclose wherein the circuitry,
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`in operation, maps the phase
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`tracking reference signal onto any of subcarriers on which demodulating reference signals using
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`a precoding which is identical to that used by the phase tracking reference signal are mapped.
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`However, Lee’071 more specifically teaches wherein the circuitry,
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`in operation, maps the
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`phase tracking reference signal onto any of subcarriers on which demodulating referencesignals
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`using a precoding whichis identical to that used by the phase tracking reference signal are
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`mapped (Lee’071 Paragraph [0223 and 0235] PTRSprecoding defined in the regions A and B is
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`the same as DMRSprecoding defined in the respective regions. In the different cells, the shared
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/499,949
`Art Unit: 2414
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`Page 14
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`PTRSlocation in the time domain maybe placed next to a DMRS. In addition, when the same
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`precoding as that of the DMRSis used, the shared PTRS is defined on symbols with the same
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`index in the time domain).
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`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill
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`in the art before the effective filing
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`date of the claimed invention to modify the teachings of Yokomakura’332 with the teachings of
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`Lee’071. Lee’071 provides techniques in which the reference signal (RS) for estimating and
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`compensating a phase rotation caused by the phase noise is required. The evaluation results
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`clearly show that code block spreading in the time domain is effective way to reduce phase noise
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`impact. The communication performance can be considerably improved by estimating a phase
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`noise based on a reference signal related to phase noise estimation in anenvironment
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`(Lee’071
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`Abstract; Paragraph [0003-0017]).
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`17.
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`Claim 16 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yokomakura’332 in
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`view of Zhang et al. U.S. Patent Application Publication 2021/0076389, hereinafter Zhang
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`Regarding Claim 16, Yokomakura’332 discloses the transmitter according to Claim 1.
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`Yokomakura’332 fails to explicitly disclose wherein the phase tracking reference signalis
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`mapped onto a different subcarrier for each cell, group, or mobile station.
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`However, Zhang more specifically teaches wherein the phase tracking reference signalis
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`mapped onto a different subcarrier for each cell, group, or mobile station (Paragraph [0039] the
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`base station can transmit the resource mapping pattern for the PT-RSto the UE via DCI, wherein
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`the DCI includes one or more values to indicate different resource mapping patterns for the PT-
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`RS. In yet another example, the base station can determine the resource mapping pattern for the
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/499,949
`Art Unit: 2414
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`Page 15
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`PT-RS with a subcarrier offset that is based on a cell identity (ID) or a virtual cell ID; Paragraph
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`[0052] to randomize inter-cell mterference for PT-RS transmission, different cells can transmit
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`the PT-RS in different subcarriers. For example, when N.sub.cell.sup.[Dmod 3=0 , the PT-RS
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`can be transmitted in a subcarrier #11, and when N.sub.cell.sup.[Dmod 3=1 , the PT-RS can be
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`transmitted in a subcarrier #23, and when N.sub.cellsup.[Dmod 3=2, the PT-RS can be
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`transmitted in a subcarrier #35, wherein N.sub.cell.sup.ID is a physical cell ID. Therefore, a PT-
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`RS subcarrier offset can be determined based on the physical cell ID or a virtual cell ID).
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`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill
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`in the art before the effective filing
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`date of the claimed invention to modify the teachings of Yokomakura’332 with the teachings of
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`Zhang. Zhang provides a solution in which receiverthat receives the PT-RS (e.g., the UE or base
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`station) can measure the phase offset of the PT-RS, and compensate for the phase offset when
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`performing a channelestimation. An adaptive PT-RSpattern andits control signaling can be
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`utilized to enable a more robust PT-RSfor different kinds of scenarios, thus providing additional
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`flexibility and improved performance for the wireless communication system (Zhang Abstract;
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`Paragraph [00001-0002, 0035 and 0057)).
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`Allowable Subject Matter
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`18.
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`Claim 6 is objected to as beng dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be
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`allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and
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`any intervening claims.
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`19.
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`The following is a statement of reasonsfor the indication of allowable subject matter:
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/499,949
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 16
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`Regarding Claim 6, the prior art of record fail to disclose alone or in any reasonable
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`combination as required by the dependent claim, “wherein a plurality of the hopping offsets
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`against a plurality of the phase tracking reference signals that are transmitted from a plurality of
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`antenna ports, respectively, are identical.”
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`The Examinernotes the above limitation(s) are not taken alone but in view of the
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`entirety of the claim languageincluding any preceding claim limitations, any proceeding
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`claim limitations, and any intervening claim limitations.
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`Conclusion
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`20.
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`Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this
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`Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP§ 706.07(a).
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`Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
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`A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE
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`MONTHSfrom the mailing date of this action.
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`In the event a first reply is filed within TWO
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`MONTHSof the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after
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`the end of the THREE-MONTHshortenedstatutory period, then the shortened statutory period
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`will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any extension fee pursuant to 37
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`CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action.
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`In no event,
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`however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHSfrom the date of this
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`final action.
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`21.
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`Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the
`
`examiner should be directed to IVAN O LATORREwhosetelephone numberis (571)272-6264.
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`The examiner cannormally be reached on 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/499,949
`Art Unit: 2414
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`Page 17
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`Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using
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`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
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`supervisor, Edan Orgad can be reached on (571) 272-7884. The fax phone numberfor the
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`organization wherethis application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
`
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`may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished