US 11368911

US patent 11368911, titled "Method of physical downlink control channel monitoring and related device," was issued on June 21, 2022, from an application filed on April 27, 2020. The inventors are Hsin-Hsi Tsai, Chia-Hung Wei, and Chie-Ming Chou. The current assignee is Hannibal IP LLC.

Abstract:
The patent describes a method for a User Equipment (UE) to monitor a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH). The method involves receiving two configurations from a base station: a first search space for monitoring scheduling signals (indicating scheduling information) and a second search space for monitoring a power saving signal (indicating wake-up information associated with Discontinuous Reception, DRX). The UE monitors the first search space when it is in a DRX active time, during which it monitors the PDCCH. Critically, the UE does not monitor the second search space when it is in the DRX active time, thereby saving power. Additionally, if the UE does not receive the power saving signal while monitoring the second search space, it starts a DRX on-duration timer.

Independent Claims Overview:

• Claim 1 (Method Claim):
  This claim outlines a method for a user equipment (UE) to monitor a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) to save power. The method includes the following steps:

  1. The UE receives a "first configuration" from a base station, which tells it where to look (a "first search space") on the PDCCH for signals that indicate when data is scheduled to be sent or received.
  2. The UE also receives a "second configuration" from the base station, which tells it where to look (a "second search space") on the PDCCH for a "power saving signal" (like a Wake-Up Signal). This signal contains information about waking up in relation to the UE's Discontinuous Reception (DRX) power-saving mode.
  3. If the UE is monitoring this "second search space" and does not detect the power saving signal, it then starts a DRX "on-duration timer."
  4. When the UE is in its "DRX active time" (a period when it's supposed to be actively monitoring the PDCCH), it monitors the "first search space" for scheduling signals.
  5. However, and this is a key power-saving aspect, when the UE is in its "DRX active time," it does not monitor the "second search space" for the power saving signal.

• Claim 10 (User Equipment Apparatus Claim):
  This claim describes a User Equipment (UE) device itself, designed to perform the method detailed in Claim 1. The UE includes:

  1. A processor, which is the "brain" of the device, executing instructions.
  2. A non-transitory machine-readable medium (like memory), connected to the processor, which stores these instructions.
     The instructions stored on this medium direct the processor to carry out the exact same steps as described in Claim 1:
  • Receive the first configuration for the first search space (for scheduling signals).
  • Receive the second configuration for the second search space (for power saving signals and wake-up information for DRX).
  • In response to not receiving the power saving signal while monitoring the second search space, start a DRX on-duration timer.
  • Monitor the first search space when the UE is in DRX active time.
  • Not monitor the second search space when the UE is in DRX active time.

USPTO and CAFC 2026 Dockets Search Results:
The Google Patents entry for US11368911B2 indicates the patent is "Active, expires 2040-08-11" and lists litigation:

• A PTAB case IPR2025-01189 was filed (Settlement).
• A US case was filed in Texas Eastern District Court (case/4:25-cv-00200).
• First worldwide family litigation was filed.

The details about the IPR case and the Texas Eastern District Court case, along with the "Active" legal status, are directly from the provided patent information, which acts as the authoritative source for this query.## Summary of US Patent 11368911

Title: Method of physical downlink control channel monitoring and related device
Assignee: Hannibal IP LLC
Inventors: Hsin-Hsi Tsai, Chia-Hung Wei, Chie-Ming Chou
Filing Date: 2020-04-27
Issue Date: 2022-06-21

Abstract:
US Patent 11368911 describes a method for a User Equipment (UE) to monitor a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) efficiently. The method involves configuring the UE with two distinct search spaces on the PDCCH: a first search space for monitoring scheduling signals (which contain scheduling information), and a second search space for monitoring a power-saving signal (which indicates wake-up information related to Discontinuous Reception, DRX). A core aspect of the invention is that when the UE is in its DRX active time (a period during which it normally monitors the PDCCH), it will monitor the first search space but not the second search space. This prevents redundant monitoring and conserves UE power. Furthermore, if the UE monitors the second search space and does not receive the power saving signal, it initiates a DRX on-duration timer.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Claim 1 (Method for a User Equipment):
  This claim details a power-saving method for a mobile device (User Equipment or UE) when it's communicating wirelessly.

  1. The UE is set up by a base station to look in a specific area (a "first search space") on the control channel (PDCCH) for messages that tell it when to expect data transmissions.
  2. The UE is also set up to look in another specific area (a "second search space") on the PDCCH for a special "power saving signal" (like a wake-up signal). This signal tells the UE if it needs to become fully active from a power-saving mode called Discontinuous Reception (DRX).
  3. If the UE is checking the "second search space" and doesn't receive this power saving signal, it will then start a timer called the "DRX on-duration timer," preparing to become active.
  4. When the UE is in its "DRX active time" (meaning it's already supposed to be awake and actively listening to the PDCCH), it prioritizes monitoring the "first search space" for data scheduling information.
  5. Crucially, during this "DRX active time," the UE stops monitoring the "second search space" for the power saving signal. This avoids unnecessary power consumption, as the UE is already active.

• Claim 10 (User Equipment Apparatus):
  This claim describes a mobile device (User Equipment or UE) that is designed to perform the power-saving method outlined in Claim 1. The UE consists of:

  1. A processor (the device's central computing unit) that runs instructions.
  2. A non-transitory machine-readable medium (like memory) connected to the processor, which stores these instructions.
     The instructions stored on this medium direct the processor to:
  • Receive configurations for the "first search space" (for scheduling signals) and the "second search space" (for power saving signals related to DRX wake-up information).
  • Start a DRX on-duration timer if the power saving signal is not received while monitoring the second search space.
  • Monitor the first search space when the UE is in its DRX active time.
  • Refrain from monitoring the second search space when the UE is in its DRX active time, thereby implementing the power-saving mechanism.

Legal Status and Dockets:
US Patent 11368911 is currently active and is set to expire on August 11, 2040.
Public records indicate that this patent family is involved in litigation:

• A PTAB case, IPR2025-01189, has been filed and subsequently settled.
• A US case (4:25-cv-00200) has been filed in the Texas Eastern District Court.
• There has also been a first worldwide family litigation filed.