As per the patent office journal dated 23/07/2021, patent number 372024 has been granted to Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson that is titled UPLINK SYNCHRONIZATION PROCESSING.
The primary independent claim of this patent states a method of enabling uplink synchronization of user equipment present in a cell served by a radio base station, wherein it includes transmission of a first timing alignment command to a user equipment by a transmitter that further triggers the timing alignment timer of user equipment with a defined length of an associated time interval. Further, the uplink timing of uplink data received by user equipment during a measuring time window is measured by a timing measurer; this constitutes a defined sub interval of said time interval. Based on the measured uplink timing, advance timing of user equipment is determined via a timing determiner. Further, the transmission scheduler co-schedules the transmission of a second timing alignment command that includes a notification of timing advance along with scheduled downlink data transmission to the user equipment on a packet data shared channel, PDSCH, during a following scheduling time window that constitutes a defined sub-interval of said time interval and started upon an end of the measuring time window and the second timing alignment command along with downlink data to the user equipment on the PDSCH during said scheduling time window is further co transmitted.
During the patent prosecution, the patent examiner objected to this patent under section 3(k) of the Indian Patents Act. The patent applicant responded to this objection by stating that the present invention provides a portable device (e.g. synchronization device) that include transmitters, timing measurer, timing determiner and transmission scheduler i.e, synchronization device in a whole, that enables uplink synchronization of user equipment present in a cell that is served by a radio base station. Moreover, as per the Guidelines for Examination of Computer Related Inventions 2015 and Hon’ble Delhi High Court in Ericsson vs. Intex (order in CS(OS) No.1045/ 2014 dated March 13, 2015) wherein it was held that any invention which has a technical contribution or has a technical effect and is not merely a computer program per se. Therefore, in particular, the present invention is directed to the technical effect of achieving uplink synchronization with reduced drainage of radio resources and/or scheduling opportunities and thus does not fall under the ambit of section 3(k) of the Patents Act.
This patent falls under the category of Communication. Overall, this patent covers uplink synchronization of user equipment by a radio base station, which is enabled by triggering start of timing alignment, in response to a first TA command. Uplink timing of data received from the UE during a measuring time window constitutes a defined sub-interval of a time interval of the TA timer that is measured and employed for determining a timing advance for the UE. Further, the transmission of a second TA command that includes a notification of the timing advance is co-scheduled together with a scheduled downlink data transmission to the UE during a following scheduling time window. The number of TA commands that are scheduled by themselves are minimized to free radio resources and increase the downlink throughput.
Our team of advanced patent attorneys assists clients with patent searches, drafting patent applications, and patent (intellectual property) agreements, including licensing and non-disclosure agreements.
Advocate Rahul Dev is a Patent Attorney & International Business Lawyer practicing Technology, Intellectual Property & Corporate Laws. He is reachable at rd (at) patentbusinesslawyer (dot) com & @rdpatentlawyer on Twitter.
Quoted in and contributed to 50+ national & international publications (Bloomberg, FirstPost, SwissInfo, Outlook Money, Yahoo News, Times of India, Economic Times, Business Standard, Quartz, Global Legal Post, International Bar Association, LawAsia, BioSpectrum Asia, Digital News Asia, e27, Leaders Speak, Entrepreneur India, VCCircle, AutoTech).
Regularly invited to speak at international & national platforms (conferences, TV channels, seminars, corporate trainings, government workshops) on technology, patents, business strategy, legal developments, leadership & management.
Working closely with patent attorneys along with international law firms with significant experience with lawyers in Asia Pacific providing services to clients in US and Europe. Flagship services include international patent and trademark filings, patent services in India and global patent consulting services.
Global Blockchain Lawyers (www.GlobalBlockchainLawyers.com) is a digital platform to discuss legal issues, latest technology and legal developments, and applicable laws in the dynamic field of Digital Currency, Blockchain, Bitcoin, Cryptocurrency and raising capital through the sale of tokens or coins (ICO or Initial Coin Offerings).
Blockchain ecosystem in India is evolving at a rapid pace and a proactive legal approach is required by blockchain lawyers in India to understand the complex nature of applicable laws and regulations.
