Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 17/801,068

TERMINAL, RADIO COMMUNICATION METHOD, AND BASE STATION

Final Rejection §103
Filed
Aug 19, 2022
Examiner
EMADI, MARYAM NMN
Art Unit
2478
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
NTT Docomo Inc.
OA Round
4 (Final)
81%
Grant Probability
Favorable
5-6
OA Rounds
3y 0m
To Grant
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 81% — above average
81%
Career Allow Rate
26 granted / 32 resolved
+23.3% vs TC avg
Strong +24% interview lift
Without
With
+24.0%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 0m
Avg Prosecution
29 currently pending
Career history
61
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.7%
-39.3% vs TC avg
§103
60.3%
+20.3% vs TC avg
§102
31.0%
-9.0% vs TC avg
§112
5.9%
-34.1% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 32 resolved cases

Office Action

§103
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . Response to Argument Applicant’s arguments: On page 5 of Remarks, Applicant argues that Nayeb in view of Huawei in further view of Panasonic does not teach the amended claim 7 as recited :” A terminal comprising :a receiver that receives, in frequency domains configured by higher layer signaling, multiple downlink control information (DCJs) scheduling a plurality of physical downlink shared channels (PDSCHs) that overlap in time and correspond to different control resource set (CORESET) groups, respectively; and a processor that selects, for each frequency domain of the frequency domains, a DCI to use out of the multiple DCIs.” Examiner’s response: Applicant’s argument with respect to claim(s) 7 has been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection is used that does not rely on any reference applied in prior art rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the arguments. Applicant has amended the claim to recite “ receives, in frequency domains configured by higher layer signaling, selects, for each frequency domain of the frequency domains, a DCI.” An updated search was conducted and a new reference is applied as shown below. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action: A patent for a 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 the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before 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. Claims 7, 9, and 11 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Svedman et al. (US 2023/0076897) (hereafter “Svedman”) view of 3GPP TSG RAN WG1 #96bis; R1-1904190; Panasonic; "On multi-TRP enhancements for NR MIMO in Rel. 16"; Xi'an, China, April 8-12, 2019 (13 pages) (hereafter “Panasonic”). Regarding claim 7, A terminal comprising: a receiver the receives (Svedman, Fig. 1B, Ref. 120), in a frequency domains configured by higher layer signaling, that receives multiple downlink control information (DCI). Svedman [0158]; In some cases, if the UE successfully receives multiple DCIs, Svedman [0249]; DCI duplication may be enabled for a cell or for a BWP by configuration, e.g. by an RRC parameter in the PDCCH-Config IE, such as in Table 11. scheduling a plurality of physical downlink shared channels (PDSCHs) that overlap in time and correspond to different control resource set (CORESET) groups, respectively. Svedman Fig. 3 [0158]; each DCI scheduling a PDSCH or PUSCH overlapping in time on the same HARQ process. Svedman Fig. 4 [0172]; In some cases, PDCCH resources are multiplexed in time (TDMed), e.g. in partly overlapping or non-overlapping sets of symbols in a slot. In some cases, the TDMed PDCCH resources are associated (through the corresponding CORESETs) with different TCI states IDs, which may correspond to different TRPs or beams. TDM of two PDCCH resources is illustrated in FIG. 4. and a processor (Svedman, Fig. 1B, Ref. 118) that selects DCI, for each frequency domain of the frequency domains, a DCI to use out of the multiple DCI. Svedman Fig. 3 [0158]; each DCI scheduling a PDSCH or PUSCH overlapping in time on the same HARQ process, the UE could discard all DCIs but one, since they would be invalid or inconsistent. A remaining valid DCI could be determined to be valid after the other DCIs have been discarded as invalid. Svedman, Fig. 9 [0310]; FIG. 9 is an illustration of the case that two PDCCH indicate that same PDSCH but different PUCCH resources, for the special case that the PDCCH, PDSCH and PUCCH are in the same BWP (e.g. also same carrier). In other cases, the UE may select one or a subset of the PUCCH resources indicated by the DCIs in the DCI set. This UE selection of one or a subset of the DCIs, whose content the UE will follow, may be based on a set of criteria. Svedman does not teach different control resource set (CORESET) groups. Panasonic teaches different control resource set (CORESET) groups. (Panasonic, page 12, Proposal 8, Proposal 8: To support multiple PDCCH based multi-TRP/panel transmission with intra-cell (same cell ID) and inter-cell (different Cell IDs) by using separate CORESET for each TRP, common channels should be transmitted only using a single CORESET that is transmitted only from a single TRP that can be assigned as a primary or master TRP. ) ( Note: according to spec [0069]; Note that as used herein, the following may be replaced with one another: the CDM group, the group, the CORESET, the PDSCH, a codeword, the antenna port group (for example, a DMRS port group), a reference signal group, a CORESET group, and the like. The antenna group and the TRP may be replaced with each other. As such the teachings of Panasonic meet the claim when taken in light of the specification. ) Svedman and Panasonic are analogous art to the claimed invention because they are in the same field of endeavor, multiple TRP transmission with scheduling plurality of PDSCH. It would be obvious before the effective filing date of claimed invention, to a person ordinary skill in the art to modify Svedman in the manner described above to define the coordination of the plurality of PDSCH in a CORESET group (CORESET) to show the overlapping area of PDSCH. Regarding claim 9, A radio communication method for a terminal, comprising: receiving, in a frequency domains configured by higher layer signaling, that receives multiple downlink control information (DCI). Svedman [0158]; In some cases, if the UE successfully receives multiple DCIs, Svedman [0249]; DCI duplication may be enabled for a cell or for a BWP by configuration, e.g. by an RRC parameter in the PDCCH-Config IE, such as in Table 11. scheduling a plurality of physical downlink shared channels (PDSCHs) that overlap in time and correspond to different control resource set (CORESET) groups, respectively. Svedman Fig. 3 [0158]; each DCI scheduling a PDSCH or PUSCH overlapping in time on the same HARQ process. Svedman Fig. 4 [0172]; In some cases, PDCCH resources are multiplexed in time (TDMed), e.g. in partly overlapping or non-overlapping sets of symbols in a slot. In some cases, the TDMed PDCCH resources are associated (through the corresponding CORESETs) with different TCI states IDs, which may correspond to different TRPs or beams. TDM of two PDCCH resources is illustrated in FIG. 4. and a processor (Svedman, Fig. 1B, Ref. 118) that selects DCI, for each frequency domain of the frequency domains, a DCI to use out of the multiple DCI. Svedman Fig. 3 [0158]; each DCI scheduling a PDSCH or PUSCH overlapping in time on the same HARQ process, the UE could discard all DCIs but one, since they would be invalid or inconsistent. A remaining valid DCI could be determined to be valid after the other DCIs have been discarded as invalid. Svedman, Fig. 9 [0310]; FIG. 9 is an illustration of the case that two PDCCH indicate that same PDSCH but different PUCCH resources, for the special case that the PDCCH, PDSCH and PUCCH are in the same BWP (e.g. also same carrier). In other cases, the UE may select one or a subset of the PUCCH resources indicated by the DCIs in the DCI set. This UE selection of one or a subset of the DCIs, whose content the UE will follow, may be based on a set of criteria. Svedman does not teach different control resource set (CORESET) groups. Panasonic teaches different control resource set (CORESET) groups. (Panasonic, page 12, Proposal 8, Proposal 8: To support multiple PDCCH based multi-TRP/panel transmission with intra-cell (same cell ID) and inter-cell (different Cell IDs) by using separate CORESET for each TRP, common channels should be transmitted only using a single CORESET that is transmitted only from a single TRP that can be assigned as a primary or master TRP. ) ( Note: according to spec [0069]; Note that as used herein, the following may be replaced with one another: the CDM group, the group, the CORESET, the PDSCH, a codeword, the antenna port group (for example, a DMRS port group), a reference signal group, a CORESET group, and the like. The antenna group and the TRP may be replaced with each other. As such the teachings of Panasonic meet the claim when taken in light of the specification. ) Svedman and Panasonic are analogous art to the claimed invention because they are in the same field of endeavor, multiple TRP transmission with scheduling plurality of PDSCH. It would be obvious before the effective filing date of claimed invention, to a person ordinary skill in the art to modify Svedman in the manner described above to define the coordination of the plurality of PDSCH in a CORESET group (CORESET) to show the overlapping area of PDSCH. Regarding claim 11, A system (Svedman, Fig. 1) comprising a terminal (Svedman, Fig. 1, Ref. 102) and a base station (Svedman, Fig. 1, Ref 114a), wherein the base station (Svedman, Fig. 1, Ref 114a), comprises: a transmitter (Svedman, Fig. 1, Ref 114a) that transmits multiple downlink control information (DCI), Svemdan [0031]; By way of example, the base stations 114a, 114b may be a base transceiver station (BTS) [0158] It is significant to be able to schedule a single PDSCH or PUSCH transmission, also in some cases in which a DCI is repeated. scheduling a plurality of physical downlink shared channels (PDSCHs) that overlap in time and correspond to different control resource set (CORESET) groups, respectively, Svedman Fig. 3 [0158]; each DCI scheduling a PDSCH or PUSCH overlapping in time on the same HARQ process. Svedman Fig. 4 [0172]; In some cases, PDCCH resources are multiplexed in time (TDMed), e.g. in partly overlapping or non-overlapping sets of symbols in a slot. In some cases, the TDMed PDCCH resources are associated (through the corresponding CORESETs) with different TCI states IDs, which may correspond to different TRPs or beams. TDM of two PDCCH resources is illustrated in FIG. 4. And the terminal comprises :a receiver (Svedman, Fig. 1B, Ref. 120) that receives in a frequency domains configured by higher layer signaling, that receives multiple DCIs. Svedman [0158]; In some cases, if the UE successfully receives multiple DCIs, Svedman [0249]; DCI duplication may be enabled for a cell or for a BWP by configuration, e.g. by an RRC parameter in the PDCCH-Config IE, such as in Table 11. and a processor (Svedman, Fig. 1B, Ref. 118) that selects DCI, for each frequency domain of the frequency domains, a DCI to use out of the multiple DCI. Svedman Fig. 3 [0158]; each DCI scheduling a PDSCH or PUSCH overlapping in time on the same HARQ process, the UE could discard all DCIs but one, since they would be invalid or inconsistent. A remaining valid DCI could be determined to be valid after the other DCIs have been discarded as invalid. Svedman, Fig. 9 [0310]; FIG. 9 is an illustration of the case that two PDCCH indicate that same PDSCH but different PUCCH resources, for the special case that the PDCCH, PDSCH and PUCCH are in the same BWP (e.g. also same carrier). In other cases, the UE may select one or a subset of the PUCCH resources indicated by the DCIs in the DCI set. This UE selection of one or a subset of the DCIs, whose content the UE will follow, may be based on a set of criteria. Svedman does not teach different control resource set (CORESET) groups. Panasonic teaches different control resource set (CORESET) groups. (Panasonic, page 12, Proposal 8, Proposal 8: To support multiple PDCCH based multi-TRP/panel transmission with intra-cell (same cell ID) and inter-cell (different Cell IDs) by using separate CORESET for each TRP, common channels should be transmitted only using a single CORESET that is transmitted only from a single TRP that can be assigned as a primary or master TRP. ) ( Note: according to spec [0069]; Note that as used herein, the following may be replaced with one another: the CDM group, the group, the CORESET, the PDSCH, a codeword, the antenna port group (for example, a DMRS port group), a reference signal group, a CORESET group, and the like. The antenna group and the TRP may be replaced with each other. As such the teachings of Panasonic meet the claim when taken in light of the specification. ) Svedman and Panasonic are analogous art to the claimed invention because they are in the same field of endeavor, multiple TRP transmission with scheduling plurality of PDSCH. It would be obvious before the effective filing date of claimed invention, to a person ordinary skill in the art to modify Svedman in the manner described above to define the coordination of the plurality of PDSCH in a CORESET group (CORESET) to show the overlapping area of PDSCH. Claim 10 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Svedman in view of Nayeb et al. (US 2011/0243066 A1) (hereafter “Nayeb”) in further view of Panasonic. Regarding claim 10, A base station (Svedman, Fig. 1, Ref. 114 (a)) comprising: a processor ( Svedman, Fig. 1F, Ref. 91) that schedules a plurality of physical downlink shared channels (PDSCHs) that overlap in time and correspond to different control resource set (CORESET) groups, respectively; Svedman Fig. 3 [0158]; each DCI scheduling a PDSCH or PUSCH overlapping in time on the same HARQ process. Svedman Fig. 4 [0172]; In some cases, PDCCH resources are multiplexed in time (TDMed), e.g. in partly overlapping or non-overlapping sets of symbols in a slot. In some cases, the TDMed PDCCH resources are associated (through the corresponding CORESETs) with different TCI states IDs, which may correspond to different TRPs or beams. TDM of two PDCCH resources is illustrated in FIG. 4. And a transmitter that transmits, in frequency domains configured by higher layer signaling, multiple downlink control information (DCIs) scheduling the plurality of PDSCHs, Svemdan [0031]; By way of example, the base stations 114a, 114b may be a base transceiver station (BTS). Svedman [0158]; In some cases, if the UE successfully receives multiple DCIs (its inherent that the UE is receiving from the base station) Svedman [0249]; DCI duplication may be enabled for a cell or for a BWP by configuration, e.g. by an RRC parameter in the PDCCH-Config IE, such as in Table 11. and, terminal selects, for each frequency domain of the frequency domains, a DCI to use out of the multiple DCIs, Svedman Fig. 3 [0158]; each DCI scheduling a PDSCH or PUSCH overlapping in time on the same HARQ process, the UE could discard all DCIs but one, since they would be invalid or inconsistent. A remaining valid DCI could be determined to be valid after the other DCIs have been discarded as invalid. Svedman, Fig. 9 [0310]; FIG. 9 is an illustration of the case that two PDCCH indicate that same PDSCH but different PUCCH resources, for the special case that the PDCCH, PDSCH and PUCCH are in the same BWP (e.g. also same carrier). In other cases, the UE may select one or a subset of the PUCCH resources indicated by the DCIs in the DCI set. This UE selection of one or a subset of the DCIs, whose content the UE will follow, may be based on a set of criteria. Svedman does not teach after a terminal selects, a DCI to use out of the multiple DCIs, transmits a PDSCH scheduled by the selected DCI. Nayeb teaches after a terminal selects DCI to use out of the multiple DCI, transmits feedback. ( Nayeb [0175]; If a UE finds multiple reference DCIs for the same subframe, for example using any of the means disclosed above, the UE may be configured to mute any ACK/NACK feedback corresponding to the particular subframe. Alternatively, the UE may be configured to select one of the multiple reference DCIs to use as the reference DCI for the subframe by selecting the reference DCI randomly from among the multiple reference DCIs, selecting the DCI received on the PDCCH of a serving cell with a specific index or priority (e.g., CC index/priority, DCI rx), selecting the DCI corresponding to a PDSCH transmission of a serving cell with a specific index or priority (e.g., CC index/priority, PDSCH tx), or selecting the DCI received with a specific characteristic (i.e., using at least one of DCI Characteristics set forth above.) (Nayeb [0176];If a UE fails to find any reference DCI for a given subframe, the UE may be configured to implement another embodiment disclosed herein, including muting any ACK/NACK feedback corresponding to the subframe or transmitting ACK/NACK feedback on a configured PUCCH resource) (if UE does not find DCI, it mutes the feedback (does not transmit feedback) and if it finds DCI, it may transmit feedback). transmitting a PDSCH scheduled by the selected DCI. (Nayeb [0150]; While the present embodiments include methods to transmit uplink feedback for downlink transmission(s) and thus mainly refer to a DCI that would typically schedule one or more PDSCH transmission(s), the applicability of the embodiments described herein is not limited to this specific case. For example, a DCI received by a UE which DCI signals (de)activation of a configured assignment such as "SPS release", of a configured grant or of a configured SCell, may also require HARQ ACK/NACK transmission from the UE.) In view of Nayeb, Svedman is modified such that after a terminal selects, for each frequency domain of the frequency domains, a DCI to use out of the multiple DCIs, transmits a PDSCH scheduled by the selected DCI. Nayeb and Svedman are analogous art to the claimed invention because they are in the same field of endeavor, selection of a DCI from multiple DCIs. It would be obvious before the effective filing date of claimed invention, to a person ordinary skill in the art to modify Svedman in the manner described above so that for each freqiuency domain of the freqiuency domains, a DCI to use out of the multiple DCIs, transmits a PDSCH scheduled by the selected DCI. Svedman in view of Nayeb does not teach different control resource set (CORESET) groups. Panasonic teaches different control resource set (CORESET) groups. (Panasonic, page 12, Proposal 8, Proposal 8: To support multiple PDCCH based multi-TRP/panel transmission with intra-cell (same cell ID) and inter-cell (different Cell IDs) by using separate CORESET for each TRP, common channels should be transmitted only using a single CORESET that is transmitted only from a single TRP that can be assigned as a primary or master TRP. ) ( Note: according to spec [0069]; Note that as used herein, the following may be replaced with one another: the CDM group, the group, the CORESET, the PDSCH, a codeword, the antenna port group (for example, a DMRS port group), a reference signal group, a CORESET group, and the like. The antenna group and the TRP may be replaced with each other.) Svedman and Panasonic are analogous art to the claimed invention because they are in the same field of endeavor, multiple TRP transmission with scheduling plurality of PDSCH. It would be obvious before the effective filing date of claimed invention, to a person ordinary skill in the art to modify Svedman in the manner described above to define the coordination of the plurality of PDSCH in a CORESET group (CORESET) to show the overlapping area of PDSCH. Svedman and Panasonic does not teach in frequency domains configured by higher layer signaling, selects, for each frequency domain of the frequency domains, a DCI. Conclusion THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a). A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Maryam Emadi whose email is Maryam.emadi1@uspto.gov with telephone number of 703-756-1834. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Joseph Avellino can be reached on 571-272-3905. Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished applications is available through Private PAIR only. For more information about the PAIR system, see http://pairdirect.uspto.gov. Should you have questions on access to the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). /M.E./Examiner, Art Unit 2478 /JAY L VOGEL/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2478
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Aug 19, 2022
Application Filed
Oct 16, 2024
Response after Non-Final Action
Oct 23, 2024
Non-Final Rejection — §103
Jan 23, 2025
Response Filed
Apr 17, 2025
Final Rejection — §103
Jun 20, 2025
Interview Requested
Jun 28, 2025
Examiner Interview Summary
Jul 22, 2025
Response after Non-Final Action
Aug 08, 2025
Non-Final Rejection — §103
Nov 11, 2025
Response Filed
Feb 23, 2026
Final Rejection — §103 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12593314
METHOD FOR TRANSMITTING AND RECEIVING DATA IN WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, AND WIRELESS COMMUNICATION TERMINAL
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 31, 2026
Patent 12568501
UPLINK GRANT DOWNLINK CONTROL INFORMATION FOR FREQUENCY DOMAIN COMPRESSED UPLINK PRECODING
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 03, 2026
Patent 12563436
MANAGEMENT APPARATUS AND NETWORK SYSTEM
2y 5m to grant Granted Feb 24, 2026
Patent 12549295
HYBRID AUTOMATIC REPEAT REQUEST (HARQ) BUFFER MANAGEMENT
2y 5m to grant Granted Feb 10, 2026
Patent 12549413
SECONDARY CARRIER PREDICTION BASED ON UP-LINK CHANNEL IMPULSE RESPONSE
2y 5m to grant Granted Feb 10, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

AI Strategy Recommendation

Get an AI-powered prosecution strategy using examiner precedents, rejection analysis, and claim mapping.
Powered by AI — typically takes 5-10 seconds

Prosecution Projections

5-6
Expected OA Rounds
81%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+24.0%)
3y 0m
Median Time to Grant
High
PTA Risk
Based on 32 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

Sign in with your work email

Enter your email to receive a magic link. No password needed.

Personal email addresses (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.) are not accepted.

Free tier: 3 strategy analyses per month