Prior art — US Patent 8102833

Here's an analysis of US Patent 8,102,833 and its cited prior art.

US Patent 8,102,833: Method for transmitting uplink signals

Publication Number: US8102833B2
Publication Date: 2012-01-24
Filing Date: 2008-09-11
Priority Date: 2007-09-13
Original Assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Current Assignee: HPS Investment Partners LLC
Abstract: The patent describes a method for transmitting uplink signals, specifically ACK/NACK signals, other control signals, and data signals. Key steps include serially multiplexing control and data signals, mapping these multiplexed signals to a 2-dimensional resource region using a time-first mapping method, and arranging ACK/NACK signals at symbols adjacent to reference signal symbols, overwriting existing signals. This aims to improve the reliability of high-priority signals.

Most Relevant Prior Art for US8102833

The following patent citations are identified from the "Citations (10)" section of US8102833. For each, a brief description and potential anticipation of claims from US8102833 are provided based on the information available within the US8102833 patent document.

1. US20030185159A1

Full Citation: US20030185159A1, [[Samsung Electronics Co.](/litigations/by-defendant/Samsung%20Electronics%20Co.), Ltd.](/litigations/by-plaintiff/Samsung%20Electronics%20Co.%2C%20Ltd.), "Apparatus and method for determining pilot signal field position information for uplink power control in an HSDPA mobile communication system"
Publication Date: 2003-10-02
Brief Description: This reference appears to deal with determining pilot signal field position information for uplink power control in an HSDPA system. While HSDPA is a mobile communication system, the focus on pilot signal position for power control is a general aspect of wireless communication systems.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- This reference broadly relates to mobile communication and pilot signals (reference signals). However, the specific inventive steps of US8102833 regarding the multiplexing of specific types of control and data signals, time-first mapping, and positioning of ACK/NACK signals by overwriting adjacent to reference signals are not explicitly suggested by the title or the context provided in US8102833. Therefore, it is unlikely to anticipate the specific method claims (Claims 1-7) or mobile station claims (Claims 8-14) of US8102833 based solely on this information.

2. KR20040056976A

Full Citation: KR20040056976A, 한국전자통신연구원 (Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute), "System for channel information determining of OFDM and method thereof, its program stored recording medium"
Publication Date: 2004-07-01
Brief Description: This patent describes a system and method for determining channel information in an OFDM system. OFDM is a modulation scheme related to SC-FDMA used in US8102833, and channel estimation is fundamental.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- Similar to US20030185159A1, this reference addresses a general aspect of wireless communication (channel information determination in OFDM). It does not explicitly disclose the specific signal multiplexing, time-first mapping, or priority-based ACK/NACK signal placement defined in claims 1 or 8 of US8102833.

3. EP1569403A2

Full Citation: EP1569403A2, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., "Method and apparatus for transmitting channel quality information in a multicarrier communication system"
Publication Date: 2005-08-31
Brief Description: This patent focuses on methods and apparatus for transmitting channel quality information (CQI) in a multicarrier communication system. CQI is a type of control signal mentioned in US8102833's background.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- This reference deals with the transmission of CQI, which is a "first control signal" in claim 2 of US8102833. However, the core inventive concept of US8102833 lies in the specific arrangement and multiplexing of various signals (data, control, ACK/NACK) with different priorities, using time-first mapping and positioning ACK/NACK signals near reference signals by overwriting. This specific arrangement is not indicated by the title of EP1569403A2.

4. US20050232138A1

Full Citation: US20050232138A1, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., "Apparatus and method for transmitting uplink control information in OFDMA communication systems"
Publication Date: 2005-10-20
Brief Description: This reference concerns transmitting uplink control information in OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) systems. OFDMA is related to SC-FDMA, which is used for uplink transmission in 3GPP LTE and is the context for US8102833.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- This patent is relevant because it discusses uplink control information transmission in an OFDMA system, which is a similar domain to US8102833. It broadly covers "control signals" as mentioned in claims 1 and 8 of US8102833. However, it does not specifically describe the serial multiplexing of "first control signals" (other than ACK/NACK) and "data signals," their mapping using a time-first method to a 2-dimensional resource matrix, and crucially, the overwriting of ACK/NACK control signals into specific columns right adjacent to reference signal symbols from the last row as defined in claim 1(c) and claim 8. The specific arrangement for prioritizing ACK/NACK signals near reference signals appears to be a distinguishing feature of US8102833.

5. US20050286402A1

Full Citation: US20050286402A1, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., "Method and apparatus for transmitting uplink acknowledgement information in an OFDMA communication system"
Publication Date: 2005-12-29
Brief Description: This patent addresses methods and apparatus for transmitting uplink acknowledgement information (ACK/NACK) in an OFDMA communication system. This is highly relevant as ACK/NACK signals are a central component of US8102833.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- This reference is particularly relevant as it specifically focuses on transmitting "uplink acknowledgement information" (ACK/NACK signals), which is a core element of US8102833. It indicates prior art in transmitting ACK/NACK in an OFDMA system. The "Background of the Invention" section of US8102833 states that the 3GPP LTE system already "prescribes that data signals and control signals among the uplink signals are first multiplexed and ACK/NACK signals are transmitted to the multiplexed signals by puncturing the data or control signals when uplink ACK/NACK signal transmission is required for downlink data." This suggests that the general concept of puncturing for ACK/NACK was known.
- However, US8102833 distinguishes itself by how this is done: specifically, "arranging the ACK/NACK signals at both symbols near to symbols through which a reference signal is transmitted" and the precise mapping method (serial multiplexing of other control and data first, then time-first mapping, then overwriting ACK/NACK from the last row of specific columns adjacent to reference signals). If US20050286402A1 does not disclose this specific hierarchical arrangement and mapping strategy (especially the "from the last row of the specific columns" detail), then it might not anticipate claims 1(a)-(c) or 8.

6. KR20050114569A

Full Citation: KR20050114569A, 삼성전자주식회사 (Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.), "Method and device for uplink fast feedback information transmission in ofdma systems"
Publication Date: 2005-12-06
Brief Description: This patent describes a method and device for uplink fast feedback information transmission in OFDMA systems. Fast feedback information often includes ACK/NACK and CQI.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- Similar to US20050286402A1, this patent generally covers uplink feedback in OFDMA, potentially encompassing ACK/NACK and other control signals. The same analysis applies: if it lacks the specific serial multiplexing, time-first mapping, and overwriting strategy of US8102833 (especially the "last row of specific columns" detail for ACK/NACK placement), it might not fully anticipate claims 1 or 8.

7. US20060098568A1

Full Citation: US20060098568A1, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., "Method for supporting various multi-antenna schemes in BWA system using multiple antennas"
Publication Date: 2006-05-11
Brief Description: This reference relates to supporting multi-antenna schemes in a Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) system. While multi-antenna systems are common in mobile communication, the specific focus seems different from the signal multiplexing and mapping of US8102833.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- This patent appears less directly related to the core inventive concepts of US8102833, which focus on logical mapping and arrangement of different uplink signal types, rather than antenna schemes. It is unlikely to anticipate claims 1-14.

8. EP1811701A2

Full Citation: EP1811701A2, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., "Method and apparatus for transmitting/receiving uplink signaling information in a single carrier FDMA system"
Publication Date: 2007-07-25
Brief Description: This patent describes a method and apparatus for transmitting/receiving uplink signaling information in a single carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA) system. SC-FDMA is precisely the uplink transmission scheme used in 3GPP LTE, as mentioned in US8102833.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- This is highly relevant as it describes uplink signaling in SC-FDMA, the same technology as US8102833. The "signaling information" would likely include various control signals and potentially data. The background of US8102833 notes that the "3GPP LTE system prescribes that data signals and control signals among the uplink signals are first multiplexed and ACK/NACK signals are transmitted to the multiplexed signals by puncturing the data or control signals." EP1811701A2 might disclose some aspects of this general approach.
- However, the specific "Athens conference (#50) for 3GPP LTE has decided that data information is rate matched together with control information when the control information is multiplexed with the data information, wherein the control information is transmitted near a reference signal." The problem US8102833 solves is that ACK/NACK signals also require high reliability but couldn't be transmitted near the reference signal if all control signals were already there. The solution in US8102833 involves the specific priority given to ACK/NACK and its unique placement by overwriting. If EP1811701A2 does not disclose the sequential serial multiplexing of first control signals and data, time-first mapping, and then overwriting ACK/NACK from the last row of specific columns right adjacent to reference signals, then it would not anticipate claims 1 or 8.

9. EP1806867A2

Full Citation: EP1806867A2, Samsung Electronics Co.,Ltd., "Method and apparatus for time multiplexing uplink data and uplink signaling information in a SC-FDMA system"
Publication Date: 2007-07-11
Brief Description: This patent explicitly deals with "time multiplexing uplink data and uplink signaling information in a SC-FDMA system." This is extremely relevant as it covers the core subject matter of US8102833, including SC-FDMA, uplink data, and signaling (control/ACK/NACK).
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- This patent is highly relevant given its title directly mentions "time multiplexing uplink data and uplink signaling information in a SC-FDMA system." This directly addresses the subject matter of claims 1 and 8 of US8102833. The critical question for anticipation is whether EP1806867A2 discloses the precise method steps of US8102833:
  - (a) Serially multiplexing first control signals (other than ACK/NACK) and data signals, with first control signals at the front.
  - (b) Mapping this multiplexed sequence to a 2-dimensional resource matrix (columns = SC-FDMA symbols, rows = subcarriers) using a time-first mapping method (row by row: first column of first row to last column of first row, then second row, etc.).
  - (c) Mapping ACK/NACK control signals to specific columns right adjacent to reference signal symbols, where ACK/NACK overwrites some of the previously mapped signals from the last row of those specific columns.
- The background of US8102833 states the problem that prior art couldn't efficiently place high-priority ACK/NACK signals near reference signals without conflicting with other control signals already placed there. EP1806867A2 likely describes some form of time multiplexing for uplink data and signaling. If it does not explicitly disclose the unique combination of time-first mapping for serially multiplexed data/other control signals followed by ACK/NACK overwriting from the last row in specific columns adjacent to reference signals, then it would not fully anticipate claims 1 or 8. This patent is likely one of the closest prior arts, but the specific "from the last row" detail and the priority scheme of US8102833 would need careful comparison.

10. US20080304467A1

Full Citation: US20080304467A1, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., "Control and data signaling in sc-fdma communication systems"
Publication Date: 2008-12-11
Priority Date: 2007-06-08
Brief Description: This patent relates to control and data signaling in SC-FDMA communication systems. This is highly relevant as it describes the core technical area of US8102833. The priority date (June 8, 2007) is earlier than the priority date of US8102833 (Sept 13, 2007), making it strong prior art.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- This is another extremely relevant piece of prior art due to its direct relevance to "control and data signaling in SC-FDMA communication systems" and an earlier priority date than US8102833. Similar to EP1806867A2, the critical assessment would involve comparing the specific claim limitations of US8102833 against the disclosure of US20080304467A1.
- Specifically, does US20080304467A1 disclose:
  - (a) Serial multiplexing of "first control signals" (non-ACK/NACK) and "data signals" with control at the front?
  - (b) Time-first mapping of these multiplexed signals to a 2-dimensional resource matrix where columns are SC-FDMA symbols and rows are subcarriers, mapped row by row?
  - (c) Mapping ACK/NACK control signals to specific columns right adjacent to reference signal symbols with ACK/NACK overwriting signals from the last row of those specific columns?
- The "Background of the Invention" in US8102833 explains that the problem arises because "all the control signals are transmitted by approximating to the reference signal," but ACK/NACK requires even higher reliability. The invention addresses this by giving ACK/NACK a specific, high-priority placement near reference signals, even potentially puncturing other control signals. If US20080304467A1 discloses a different method for managing the high-priority ACK/NACK signals or a different mapping/overwriting strategy, particularly the "last row" detail, it may not fully anticipate US8102833. This patent would require thorough review to determine the extent of anticipation.

Disclaimer: This analysis of potential anticipation is based solely on the provided abstract, titles, publication/filing dates, and limited context within US8102833. A complete legal determination of anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102 would require a detailed review of the full text of each cited prior art document and a thorough comparison with each element of the claims of US8102833.