A communications method implemented in a transmission point (TP) used in a coordinated multipoint transmission and reception (CoMP) system is disclosed. The communications method includes transmitting, to a user equipment (UE), an indication of a channel state information (CSI) process in a CSI pattern comprising a set of CSI processes, wherein the UE is configured with the CSI process for at least one of the other CSI processes in the CSI pattern, and wherein a reported rank indication (RI) for the CSI process is the same as an RI for said at least one of the other CSI processes. Other methods, apparatuses, and systems are also disclosed.