Prosecution Insights
Last updated: July 17, 2026
Application No. 18/018,898

TERMINAL APPARATUS, BASE STATION APPARATUS, AND METHOD

Non-Final OA §103
Filed
Jan 31, 2023
Priority
Aug 04, 2020 — JP 2020-132234 +1 more
Examiner
SEN, ANINDITA
Art Unit
2478
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
Sharp Corporation
OA Round
3 (Non-Final)
82%
Grant Probability
Favorable
3-4
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
84%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 82% — above average
82%
Career Allowance Rate
66 granted / 80 resolved
+24.5% vs TC avg
Minimal +2% lift
Without
With
+1.5%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 12m
Avg Prosecution
29 currently pending
Career history
135
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§103
97.6%
+57.6% vs TC avg
§102
2.4%
-37.6% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 80 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 Arguments Applicant's arguments with respect to the amendment filed on 3/30/2026 have been considered and amendments addressed with new rejection. 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. Claim(s) 1,3,4 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over by Kim et al. (US20210144516A1 ) Hou et al. (US20230292164A1) Regarding Claim 1, Kim teaches, A terminal apparatus for communicating with a base station apparatus, the terminal apparatus comprising: reception circuitry configured to receive, from the base station apparatus, a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message via a Dedicated Control Channel (DCCH), the RRC message indicating establishment of a Multicast Broadcast Service (MBS) Radio Bearer (MRB) ; [67]- If the MBMS-related RRC message is changed in a specific MCCH, a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) transmits an MBMS radio network temporary identity (M-RNTI)(=indication) and an indication for indicating the specific MCCH.[43]- The DCCH is a point-to-point bi-directional channel used by UEs having an RRC connection that transmits dedicated control information between a UE and the network. Though Kim teaches, in [31] that a MBMS gateway 270 uses a PDCP and IP multicast to transmit user data but does not specifically teach using this being sent through a RRC message. Kim does not teach, processing circuitry configured to establish a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) entity of the MRB based on the RRC message Hou teaches, processing circuitry configured to establish a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) entity of the MRB based on the RRC message. Fig 8 [110]- Layer 2 preparation may include establishing a MAC entity, or the layer 2 preparation may further include establishing an RLC entity and even establishing a PDCP entity(=establish a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) entity of the MRB based on the RRC message) It would have been obvious to a person having an ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Kim, processing circuitry configured to establish a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) entity of the MRB based on the RRC message as taught by Hou to send PDCP using multicast establishment using RRC message. Regarding Claim 3, Kim teaches, A base station apparatus for communicating with a terminal apparatus, the base station apparatus comprising: transmission circuitry configured to transmit, to the terminal apparatus, a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message via a Dedicated Control Channel (DCCH), the RRC message indicating establishment of a Multicast Broadcast Service (MBS) Radio Bearer (MRB) Fig2 [43-45]- the eNodeB sends a PDSCH (Physical Downlink Shared Channel, physical downlink shared channel) to each relay , information of the dedicated control channel resource region used by the relay configuration information of a multicast broadcast single frequency network MBSFN subframe used by the relay(=message indicating establishing a Multicast Broadcast Service (MBS) Radio Bearer (MRB)); Fig 8 [110]- Layer 2 preparation may include establishing a MAC entity, or the layer 2 preparation may further include establishing an RLC entity and even establishing a PDCP entity(=establish a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) entity of the MRB based on the RRC message) [44]- An RRC context of the terminal device 120 is stored in the base station, and the base station controls the master TRP 1 to establish an RRC connection and communication with the terminal device 120.(= configured to transmit, to the terminal apparatus, a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message) Though Kim teaches, in [31] teaches MBMS gateway 270 uses a PDCP and IP multicast to transmit user data but does not specifically teach using this being sent through a RRC message. Kim does not teach, to cause the terminal apparatus to establish a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) entity of the MRB based on the RRC message. Hou teaches, to cause the terminal apparatus to establish a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) entity of the MRB based on the RRC message. Fig 8 [110]- Layer 2 preparation may include establishing a MAC entity, or the layer 2 preparation may further include establishing an RLC entity and even establishing a PDCP entity(=establish a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) entity of the MRB based on the RRC message) It would have been obvious to a person having an ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Kim, to cause the terminal apparatus to establish a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) entity of the MRB based on the RRC message as taught by Hou to send PDCP using multicast establishment using RRC message. Regarding Claim 4, Kim teaches, A method performed by a terminal apparatus for communicating with a base station apparatus, the method comprising: receiving, from the base station apparatus, a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message via a Dedicated Control Channel (DCCH), the RRC message indicating establishment of a Multicast Broadcast Service (MBS) Radio Bearer (MRB). Fig2 [43-45]- the eNodeB sends a PDSCH (Physical Downlink Shared Channel, physical downlink shared channel) to each relay , information of the dedicated control channel resource region used by the relay configuration information of a multicast broadcast single frequency network MBSFN subframe used by the relay(=message indicating establishing a Multicast Broadcast Service (MBS) Radio Bearer (MRB)); Fig 8 [110]- Layer 2 preparation may include establishing a MAC entity, or the layer 2 preparation may further include establishing an RLC entity and even establishing a PDCP entity(=establish a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) entity of the MRB based on the RRC message) [44]- An RRC context of the terminal device 120 is stored in the base station, and the base station controls the master TRP 1 to establish an RRC connection and communication with the terminal device 120.(= configured to transmit, to the terminal apparatus, a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message) Kim teaches, in [31] teaches MBMS gateway 270 uses a PDCP and IP multicast to transmit user data but does not specifically teach using this being sent through a RRC message. Though Kim does not teach, and establishing a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) entity of the MRB based on the RRC message. Hou teaches, and establishing a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) entity of the MRB based on the RRC message. Fig 8 [110]- Layer 2 preparation may include establishing a MAC entity, or the layer 2 preparation may further include establishing an RLC entity and even establishing a PDCP entity(=establish a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) entity of the MRB based on the RRC message) It would have been obvious to a person having an ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Kim, and establishing a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) entity of the MRB based on the RRC message as taught by Hou to send PDCP using multicast establishment using RRC message. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Anindita Sen whose telephone number is (571)-272-2390. The examiner can normally be reached 7:30am-5:30pm. Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Joseph Avellino can be reached on (571)-272-3905. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /ANINDITA SEN/Examiner, Art Unit 2478 /JOSEPH E AVELLINO/ Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2478
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Prosecution Timeline

Jan 31, 2023
Application Filed
Jan 31, 2023
Response after Non-Final Action
Jul 14, 2025
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103
Oct 08, 2025
Response Filed
Jan 02, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §103
Mar 30, 2026
Request for Continued Examination
Apr 07, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
Apr 10, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103 (current)

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Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

3-4
Expected OA Rounds
82%
Grant Probability
84%
With Interview (+1.5%)
2y 12m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
High
PTA Risk
Based on 80 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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