Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 02, 2026
Application No. 18/262,445

SIGNALING CLOSED-LOOP POWER CONTROL FOR SINGLE AND MULTIPLE TRANSMISSION/RECEPTION POINTS (TRPS)

Non-Final OA §103
Filed
Jul 21, 2023
Priority
Jan 25, 2021 — provisional 63/141,336 +1 more
Examiner
SOROWAR, GOLAM
Art Unit
2641
Tech Center
2600 — Communications
Assignee
Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
OA Round
3 (Non-Final)
81%
Grant Probability
Favorable
3-4
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 81% — above average
81%
Career Allowance Rate
734 granted / 902 resolved
+19.4% vs TC avg
Strong +18% interview lift
Without
With
+17.9%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 9m
Avg Prosecution
44 currently pending
Career history
943
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
2.7%
-37.3% vs TC avg
§103
56.4%
+16.4% vs TC avg
§102
18.6%
-21.4% vs TC avg
§112
12.9%
-27.1% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 902 resolved cases

Office Action

§103
DETAILED ACTION 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 . Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114 A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 04/16/2026 has been entered. Response to Arguments Applicant’s arguments with respect to claims 1 , 8, 15, 22 and 29-36 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument. 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. The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows: 1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art. 2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue. 3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art. 4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness. Claims 1, 8, 15, 22 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over He et al. (US 20220303079, hereinafter “He”), in view of Yeo et al. (US 20220046679, hereinafter “Yeo”), and further in view of Cheng (US 20190379506, hereinafter “Cheng”). Regarding claim 1, He discloses, A network node configured to communicate with a wireless device, WD ( FIG. 2 shows an example of multiple TRPs deployed at different locations. In this example, the gNB 205 is configured with a first TRP 210 via a backhaul connection 212 and a second TRP 220 via backhaul connection 222. Each of the TRPs 210, 220 may transmit a signal to and/or receive a signal from the UE 110 [0026]-[0029]), the network node comprising processing circuitry configured to generate: a first downlink control information (DCI) message including an indication whether the PUSCH transmission is to be transmitted to one of a first transmission/reception point (TRP) and a second TRP, or to both the first TRP and the second TRP (the cell 120A may transmit a signal to the UE 110 that explicitly identifies the selected one or more uplink beam pairs. For example, downlink control information (DCI) may be configured to include a spatialRelationInfo field configured to activate one or more uplink beams for uplink transmission….., the UE 110 performs an uplink transmission (e.g., PUCCH transmission or PUSCH transmission) using the activated one or more uplink beam pairs with a first beam of a beam pair may be configured to perform uplink transmissions (e.g. repetitions) to a first TRP and a second beam of the beam pair may be configured to provide uplink transmissions (e.g. repetitions) to a second TRP [0045]-[0046]; ] For PUSCH transmissions in multi-TRP operation, more than one time domain resource allocation (TDRA) configuration may be provided by RRC signaling and associated with a single TDRA field in DCI format 1_1 for scheduling. In other words, each TDRA configuration may be associated with different spatial relation targeting to different TRPs [0061]-[0062]); and a radio interface in communication with the processing circuitry and configured to receive the PUSCH or the PUCCH at one of the first and the second TRPs, or at both the first TRP and the second TRP ( the uplink transmission may include implementing sub-slot repetition. For example, a first beam of a beam pair may be configured to perform uplink transmissions (e.g. repetitions) to a first TRP and a second beam of the beam pair may be configured to provide uplink transmissions (e.g. repetitions) to a second TRP [0046]; The PUCCH-ResourceIDPair may correspond to spatialRelationinfo pairs such as, the spatialRelationinfo pair configured by the network in 430 of the signaling diagram 400. FIG. 5b shows an example of PRP configuration for different TRPs. In this example, each PRP index is associated with two TRP-specific PUCCH resources (with different activated spatial relation information) with or without repetition [0050]-[0054]), However, He does not discloses, a first downlink control information (DCI) message with a first transmit power control (TPC) command field of N bits configured to schedule a physical uplink shared (PUSCH) transmission; a second DCI message with a second TPC command field of M bits configured to schedule a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) transmission, the second DCI message further including an indication of a physical uplink control channel(PUCCH) resource for uplink transmission of a hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK) and when the PUCCH resource is activated or configured with one or two spatial relations, respectively. In the same field of endeavor, Yeo discloses, a first downlink control information (DCI) message with a first transmit power control (TPC) command field of N bits configured to schedule a physical uplink shared (PUSCH) transmission; a second DCI message with a second TPC command field of M bits configured to schedule a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) transmission (The DCI format for fallback may be configured with a fixed field predefined between the base station and the UE, and the DCI format for non-fallback may include a configurable field. In addition to this, there are various formats of DCI, and it may indicate whether the DCI is DCI for power control or DCI for notifying a slot format indicator (SFI), and the like according to each format… A DCI format 0_0 may be used as a fallback DCI for scheduling a PUSCH, and in this case, a CRC may be scrambled with a C-RNTI. A DCI format 0_0 in which a CRC is scrambled with a C-RNTI [0107]-[0112]), the second DCI message further including an indication of a physical uplink control channel(PUCCH) resource for uplink transmission of a hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK) ( A DCI format 1_0 may be used as fallback DCI for scheduling a PDSCH, and in this case, a CRC may be scrambled with a C-RNTI. A DCI format 1_0 in which a CRC is scrambled with a C-RNT [0112]-[0114]; TPC command for scheduled PUCCH: Power control information applied to a PUCCH for reporting HARQ-ACK for a PDSCH—2 bits [0130]-[0133]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify He by specifically providing a first downlink control information (DCI) message with a first transmit power control (TPC) command field of N bits configured to schedule a physical uplink shared (PUSCH) transmission; a second DCI message with a second TPC command field of M bits configured to schedule a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) transmission, the second DCI message further including an indication of a physical uplink control channel(PUCCH) resource for uplink transmission of a hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK), as taught by Yeo for the purpose of configuring an offset value applied when a terminal transmits an uplink signal in order to correct a time-varying propagation delay occurring according to a long distance to the satellite and a movement of the satellite in a case in which the terminal transmits and receives a signal to and from the base station through the satellite [0008]. Further, the combination of He and Yeo does not discloses, the PUCCH resource is activated or configured with one or two spatial relations, respectively. In the same field of endeavor, Cheng discloses, the PUCCH resource is activated or configured with one or two spatial relations, respectively (a BS may indicate to a UE, e.g., through a MAC CE message, that multiple UL beams for PUCCH transmission are activated. The UE may then select at least one of the activated UL beams to transmit the PUCCH based on the UL beam information (e.g., signal quality related information)……. the UE may select at least one particular spatial relation information indicator from the activated spatial relation information indicators according to the signal quality values of the DL signals associated with the activated spatial relation information indicators [0061]-[0063] and [0106]-[0107]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the combination of He and Yeo by specifically providing the PUCCH resource is activated or configured with one or two spatial relations, respectively, as taught by Cheng for the purpose of providing an improved mechanism for multi-TRP transmission in the next generation wireless communication networks [0003]. Regarding claim 8, He discloses, A method in a network node configured to communicate with a wireless device, WD ( FIG. 2 shows an example of multiple TRPs deployed at different locations. In this example, the gNB 205 is configured with a first TRP 210 via a backhaul connection 212 and a second TRP 220 via backhaul connection 222. Each of the TRPs 210, 220 may transmit a signal to and/or receive a signal from the UE 110 [0026]-[0029]), the method comprising: generating: a first downlink control information (DCI) message including an indication whether the PUSCH transmission is to be transmitted to one of a first transmission/reception point (TRP) and a second TRP, or to both the first TRP and the second TRP (the cell 120A may transmit a signal to the UE 110 that explicitly identifies the selected one or more uplink beam pairs. For example, downlink control information (DCI) may be configured to include a spatialRelationInfo field configured to activate one or more uplink beams for uplink transmission….., the UE 110 performs an uplink transmission (e.g., PUCCH transmission or PUSCH transmission) using the activated one or more uplink beam pairs with a first beam of a beam pair may be configured to perform uplink transmissions (e.g. repetitions) to a first TRP and a second beam of the beam pair may be configured to provide uplink transmissions (e.g. repetitions) to a second TRP [0045]-[0046]; ] For PUSCH transmissions in multi-TRP operation, more than one time domain resource allocation (TDRA) configuration may be provided by RRC signaling and associated with a single TDRA field in DCI format 1_1 for scheduling. In other words, each TDRA configuration may be associated with different spatial relation targeting to different TRPs [0061]-[0062]); and a radio interface in communication with the processing circuitry and configured to receive the PUSCH or the PUCCH at one of the first and the second TRPs, or at both the first TRP and the second TRP ( the uplink transmission may include implementing sub-slot repetition. For example, a first beam of a beam pair may be configured to perform uplink transmissions (e.g. repetitions) to a first TRP and a second beam of the beam pair may be configured to provide uplink transmissions (e.g. repetitions) to a second TRP [0046]; The PUCCH-ResourceIDPair may correspond to spatialRelationinfo pairs such as, the spatialRelationinfo pair configured by the network in 430 of the signaling diagram 400. FIG. 5b shows an example of PRP configuration for different TRPs. In this example, each PRP index is associated with two TRP-specific PUCCH resources (with different activated spatial relation information) with or without repetition [0050]-[0054]), However, He does not discloses, a first downlink control information (DCI) message with a first transmit power control (TPC) command field of N bits configured to schedule a physical uplink shared (PUSCH) transmission; a second DCI message with a second TPC command field of M bits configured to schedule a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) transmission, the second DCI message further including an indication of a physical uplink control channel(PUCCH) resource for uplink transmission of a hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK) and when the PUCCH resource is activated or configured with one or two spatial relations, respectively. In the same field of endeavor, Yeo discloses, a first downlink control information (DCI) message with a first transmit power control (TPC) command field of N bits configured to schedule a physical uplink shared (PUSCH) transmission; a second DCI message with a second TPC command field of M bits configured to schedule a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) transmission (The DCI format for fallback may be configured with a fixed field predefined between the base station and the UE, and the DCI format for non-fallback may include a configurable field. In addition to this, there are various formats of DCI, and it may indicate whether the DCI is DCI for power control or DCI for notifying a slot format indicator (SFI), and the like according to each format… A DCI format 0_0 may be used as a fallback DCI for scheduling a PUSCH, and in this case, a CRC may be scrambled with a C-RNTI. A DCI format 0_0 in which a CRC is scrambled with a C-RNTI [0107]-[0112]), the second DCI message further including an indication of a physical uplink control channel(PUCCH) resource for uplink transmission of a hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK) ( A DCI format 1_0 may be used as fallback DCI for scheduling a PDSCH, and in this case, a CRC may be scrambled with a C-RNTI. A DCI format 1_0 in which a CRC is scrambled with a C-RNT [0112]-[0114]; TPC command for scheduled PUCCH: Power control information applied to a PUCCH for reporting HARQ-ACK for a PDSCH—2 bits [0130]-[0133]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify He by specifically providing a first downlink control information (DCI) message with a first transmit power control (TPC) command field of N bits configured to schedule a physical uplink shared (PUSCH) transmission; a second DCI message with a second TPC command field of M bits configured to schedule a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) transmission, the second DCI message further including an indication of a physical uplink control channel(PUCCH) resource for uplink transmission of a hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK), as taught by Yeo for the purpose of configuring an offset value applied when a terminal transmits an uplink signal in order to correct a time-varying propagation delay occurring according to a long distance to the satellite and a movement of the satellite in a case in which the terminal transmits and receives a signal to and from the base station through the satellite [0008]. Further, the combination of He and Yeo does not discloses, the PUCCH resource is activated or configured with one or two spatial relations, respectively. In the same field of endeavor, Cheng discloses, the PUCCH resource is activated or configured with one or two spatial relations, respectively (a BS may indicate to a UE, e.g., through a MAC CE message, that multiple UL beams for PUCCH transmission are activated. The UE may then select at least one of the activated UL beams to transmit the PUCCH based on the UL beam information (e.g., signal quality related information)……. the UE may select at least one particular spatial relation information indicator from the activated spatial relation information indicators according to the signal quality values of the DL signals associated with the activated spatial relation information indicators [0061]-[0063] and [0106]-[0107]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the combination of He and Yeo by specifically providing the PUCCH resource is activated or configured with one or two spatial relations, respectively, as taught by Cheng for the purpose of providing an improved mechanism for multi-TRP transmission in the next generation wireless communication networks [0003]. Regarding claim 15, He discloses, A wireless device, WD, configured to communicate with a network node ( FIG. 2 shows an example of multiple TRPs deployed at different locations. In this example, the gNB 205 is configured with a first TRP 210 via a backhaul connection 212 and a second TRP 220 via backhaul connection 222. Each of the TRPs 210, 220 may transmit a signal to and/or receive a signal from the UE 110 [0026]-[0029]), the WD comprising a radio interface configured to receive: a first downlink control information (DCI) message including an indication whether the PUSCH transmission is to be transmitted to one of a first transmission/reception point (TRP) and a second TRP, or to both the first TRP and the second TRP (the cell 120A may transmit a signal to the UE 110 that explicitly identifies the selected one or more uplink beam pairs. For example, downlink control information (DCI) may be configured to include a spatialRelationInfo field configured to activate one or more uplink beams for uplink transmission….., the UE 110 performs an uplink transmission (e.g., PUCCH transmission or PUSCH transmission) using the activated one or more uplink beam pairs with a first beam of a beam pair may be configured to perform uplink transmissions (e.g. repetitions) to a first TRP and a second beam of the beam pair may be configured to provide uplink transmissions (e.g. repetitions) to a second TRP [0045]-[0046]; ] For PUSCH transmissions in multi-TRP operation, more than one time domain resource allocation (TDRA) configuration may be provided by RRC signaling and associated with a single TDRA field in DCI format 1_1 for scheduling. In other words, each TDRA configuration may be associated with different spatial relation targeting to different TRPs [0061]-[0062]); and transmit the PUSCH or the PUCCH at one of the first and the second TRPs, or at both the first TRP and the second TRP ( the uplink transmission may include implementing sub-slot repetition. For example, a first beam of a beam pair may be configured to perform uplink transmissions (e.g. repetitions) to a first TRP and a second beam of the beam pair may be configured to provide uplink transmissions (e.g. repetitions) to a second TRP [0046]; The PUCCH-ResourceIDPair may correspond to spatialRelationinfo pairs such as, the spatialRelationinfo pair configured by the network in 430 of the signaling diagram 400. FIG. 5b shows an example of PRP configuration for different TRPs. In this example, each PRP index is associated with two TRP-specific PUCCH resources (with different activated spatial relation information) with or without repetition [0050]-[0054]), However, He does not discloses, a first downlink control information (DCI) message with a first transmit power control (TPC) command field of N bits configured to schedule a physical uplink shared (PUSCH) transmission; a second DCI message with a second TPC command field of M bits configured to schedule a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) transmission, the second DCI message further including an indication of a physical uplink control channel(PUCCH) resource for uplink transmission of a hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK) and when the PUCCH resource is activated or configured with one or two spatial relations, respectively. In the same field of endeavor, Yeo discloses, a first downlink control information (DCI) message with a first transmit power control (TPC) command field of N bits configured to schedule a physical uplink shared (PUSCH) transmission; a second DCI message with a second TPC command field of M bits configured to schedule a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) transmission (The DCI format for fallback may be configured with a fixed field predefined between the base station and the UE, and the DCI format for non-fallback may include a configurable field. In addition to this, there are various formats of DCI, and it may indicate whether the DCI is DCI for power control or DCI for notifying a slot format indicator (SFI), and the like according to each format… A DCI format 0_0 may be used as a fallback DCI for scheduling a PUSCH, and in this case, a CRC may be scrambled with a C-RNTI. A DCI format 0_0 in which a CRC is scrambled with a C-RNTI [0107]-[0112]), the second DCI message further including an indication of a physical uplink control channel(PUCCH) resource for uplink transmission of a hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK) ( A DCI format 1_0 may be used as fallback DCI for scheduling a PDSCH, and in this case, a CRC may be scrambled with a C-RNTI. A DCI format 1_0 in which a CRC is scrambled with a C-RNT [0112]-[0114]; TPC command for scheduled PUCCH: Power control information applied to a PUCCH for reporting HARQ-ACK for a PDSCH—2 bits [0130]-[0133]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify He by specifically providing a first downlink control information (DCI) message with a first transmit power control (TPC) command field of N bits configured to schedule a physical uplink shared (PUSCH) transmission; a second DCI message with a second TPC command field of M bits configured to schedule a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) transmission, the second DCI message further including an indication of a physical uplink control channel(PUCCH) resource for uplink transmission of a hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK), as taught by Yeo for the purpose of configuring an offset value applied when a terminal transmits an uplink signal in order to correct a time-varying propagation delay occurring according to a long distance to the satellite and a movement of the satellite in a case in which the terminal transmits and receives a signal to and from the base station through the satellite [0008]. Further, the combination of He and Yeo does not discloses, the PUCCH resource is activated or configured with one or two spatial relations, respectively. In the same field of endeavor, Cheng discloses, the PUCCH resource is activated or configured with one or two spatial relations, respectively (a BS may indicate to a UE, e.g., through a MAC CE message, that multiple UL beams for PUCCH transmission are activated. The UE may then select at least one of the activated UL beams to transmit the PUCCH based on the UL beam information (e.g., signal quality related information)……. the UE may select at least one particular spatial relation information indicator from the activated spatial relation information indicators according to the signal quality values of the DL signals associated with the activated spatial relation information indicators [0061]-[0063] and [0106]-[0107]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the combination of He and Yeo by specifically providing the PUCCH resource is activated or configured with one or two spatial relations, respectively, as taught by Cheng for the purpose of providing an improved mechanism for multi-TRP transmission in the next generation wireless communication networks [0003]. Regarding claim 22, He discloses, A method in a wireless device, WD, configured to communicate with a network node ( FIG. 2 shows an example of multiple TRPs deployed at different locations. In this example, the gNB 205 is configured with a first TRP 210 via a backhaul connection 212 and a second TRP 220 via backhaul connection 222. Each of the TRPs 210, 220 may transmit a signal to and/or receive a signal from the UE 110 [0026]-[0029]), the method comprising receiving: a first downlink control information (DCI) message including an indication whether the PUSCH transmission is to be transmitted to one of a first transmission/reception point (TRP) and a second TRP, or to both the first TRP and the second TRP (the cell 120A may transmit a signal to the UE 110 that explicitly identifies the selected one or more uplink beam pairs. For example, downlink control information (DCI) may be configured to include a spatialRelationInfo field configured to activate one or more uplink beams for uplink transmission….., the UE 110 performs an uplink transmission (e.g., PUCCH transmission or PUSCH transmission) using the activated one or more uplink beam pairs with a first beam of a beam pair may be configured to perform uplink transmissions (e.g. repetitions) to a first TRP and a second beam of the beam pair may be configured to provide uplink transmissions (e.g. repetitions) to a second TRP [0045]-[0046]; ] For PUSCH transmissions in multi-TRP operation, more than one time domain resource allocation (TDRA) configuration may be provided by RRC signaling and associated with a single TDRA field in DCI format 1_1 for scheduling. In other words, each TDRA configuration may be associated with different spatial relation targeting to different TRPs [0061]-[0062]); and transmitting the PUSCH or the PUCCH at one of the first and the second TRPs, or at both the first TRP and the second TRP ( the uplink transmission may include implementing sub-slot repetition. For example, a first beam of a beam pair may be configured to perform uplink transmissions (e.g. repetitions) to a first TRP and a second beam of the beam pair may be configured to provide uplink transmissions (e.g. repetitions) to a second TRP [0046]; The PUCCH-ResourceIDPair may correspond to spatialRelationinfo pairs such as, the spatialRelationinfo pair configured by the network in 430 of the signaling diagram 400. FIG. 5b shows an example of PRP configuration for different TRPs. In this example, each PRP index is associated with two TRP-specific PUCCH resources (with different activated spatial relation information) with or without repetition [0050]-[0054]), However, He does not discloses, a first downlink control information (DCI) message with a first transmit power control (TPC) command field of N bits configured to schedule a physical uplink shared (PUSCH) transmission; a second DCI message with a second TPC command field of M bits configured to schedule a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) transmission, the second DCI message further including an indication of a physical uplink control channel(PUCCH) resource for uplink transmission of a hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK) and when the PUCCH resource is activated or configured with one or two spatial relations, respectively. In the same field of endeavor, Yeo discloses, a first downlink control information (DCI) message with a first transmit power control (TPC) command field of N bits configured to schedule a physical uplink shared (PUSCH) transmission; a second DCI message with a second TPC command field of M bits configured to schedule a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) transmission (The DCI format for fallback may be configured with a fixed field predefined between the base station and the UE, and the DCI format for non-fallback may include a configurable field. In addition to this, there are various formats of DCI, and it may indicate whether the DCI is DCI for power control or DCI for notifying a slot format indicator (SFI), and the like according to each format… A DCI format 0_0 may be used as a fallback DCI for scheduling a PUSCH, and in this case, a CRC may be scrambled with a C-RNTI. A DCI format 0_0 in which a CRC is scrambled with a C-RNTI [0107]-[0112]), the second DCI message further including an indication of a physical uplink control channel(PUCCH) resource for uplink transmission of a hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK) ( A DCI format 1_0 may be used as fallback DCI for scheduling a PDSCH, and in this case, a CRC may be scrambled with a C-RNTI. A DCI format 1_0 in which a CRC is scrambled with a C-RNT [0112]-[0114]; TPC command for scheduled PUCCH: Power control information applied to a PUCCH for reporting HARQ-ACK for a PDSCH—2 bits [0130]-[0133]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify He by specifically providing a first downlink control information (DCI) message with a first transmit power control (TPC) command field of N bits configured to schedule a physical uplink shared (PUSCH) transmission; a second DCI message with a second TPC command field of M bits configured to schedule a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) transmission, the second DCI message further including an indication of a physical uplink control channel(PUCCH) resource for uplink transmission of a hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK), as taught by Yeo for the purpose of configuring an offset value applied when a terminal transmits an uplink signal in order to correct a time-varying propagation delay occurring according to a long distance to the satellite and a movement of the satellite in a case in which the terminal transmits and receives a signal to and from the base station through the satellite [0008]. Further, the combination of He and Yeo does not discloses, the PUCCH resource is activated or configured with one or two spatial relations, respectively. In the same field of endeavor, Cheng discloses, the PUCCH resource is activated or configured with one or two spatial relations, respectively (a BS may indicate to a UE, e.g., through a MAC CE message, that multiple UL beams for PUCCH transmission are activated. The UE may then select at least one of the activated UL beams to transmit the PUCCH based on the UL beam information (e.g., signal quality related information)……. the UE may select at least one particular spatial relation information indicator from the activated spatial relation information indicators according to the signal quality values of the DL signals associated with the activated spatial relation information indicators [0061]-[0063] and [0106]-[0107]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the combination of He and Yeo by specifically providing the PUCCH resource is activated or configured with one or two spatial relations, respectively, as taught by Cheng for the purpose of providing an improved mechanism for multi-TRP transmission in the next generation wireless communication networks [0003]. Allowable Subject Matter Claims 29-36 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims. Regarding claim 29, The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: the closet prior art, He, Yeo and Cheng, whether taken alone or in combination, does not teach the following novel feature: “wherein the first DCI further comprises a first a sounding reference signal (SRS) resource indicator (SRI) or transmission precoding matrix indicator (TPMI) field and a second SRI or TPMI field, and wherein each of the first and the second SRI or TPMI fields contains codepoints indicating that the field is disabled”, in combination with other limitation in claim 15. Regarding claim 30, The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: the closet prior art, He, Yeo and Cheng, whether taken alone or in combination, does not teach the following novel feature: “wherein the first DCI further comprises a first a sounding reference signal (SRS) resource indicator (SRI) or transmission precoding matrix indicator (TPMI) field and a second SRI or TPMI field, and wherein each of the first and the second SRI or TPMI fields contains codepoints indicating that the field is disabled”, in combination with other limitation in claim 15. Regarding claim 31, The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: the closet prior art, He, Yeo and Cheng, whether taken alone or in combination, does not teach the following novel feature: “wherein the first DCI further comprises a first a sounding reference signal (SRS) resource indicator (SRI) or transmission precoding matrix indicator (TPMI) field and a second SRI or TPMI field, and wherein each of the first and the second SRI or TPMI fields contains codepoints indicating that the field is disabled”, in combination with other limitation in claim 22. Regarding claim 32, The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: the closet prior art, He, Yeo and Cheng, whether taken alone or in combination, does not teach the following novel feature: “wherein the PUSCH is to be transmitted to one of the first and the second TRPs when one of the two SRI or TPMI fields is disabled, and the PUSCH is to be transmitted to both of the first and the second TRPs if both of the two SRI or TPMI fields are enabled”, in combination with other limitation in claim 22. Regarding claim 33, The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: the closet prior art, He, Yeo and Cheng, whether taken alone or in combination, does not teach the following novel feature: “wherein the first DCI further comprises a first a sounding reference signal (SRS) resource indicator (SRI) or transmission precoding matrix indicator (TPMI) field and a second SRI or TPMI field, and wherein each of the first and the second SRI or TPMI fields contains codepoints indicating that the field is disabled”, in combination with other limitation in claim 1. Regarding claim 34, The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: the closet prior art, He, Yeo and Cheng, whether taken alone or in combination, does not teach the following novel feature: “wherein the PUSCH is to be transmitted to one of the first and the second TRPs when one of the two SRI or TPMI fields is disabled, and the PUSCH is to be transmitted to both of the first and the second TRPs if both of the two SRI or TPMI fields are enabled”, in combination with other limitation in claim 1. Regarding claim 35, The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: the closet prior art, He, Yeo and Cheng, whether taken alone or in combination, does not teach the following novel feature: “wherein the first DCI further comprises a first a sounding reference signal (SRS) resource indicator (SRI) or transmission precoding matrix indicator (TPMI) field and a second SRI or TPMI field, and wherein each of the first and the second SRI or TPMI fields contains codepoints indicating that the field is disabled”, in combination with other limitation in claim 8. Regarding claim 36, The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: the closet prior art, He, Yeo and Cheng, whether taken alone or in combination, does not teach the following novel feature: “wherein the PUSCH is to be transmitted to one of the first and the second TRPs when one of the two SRI or TPMI fields is disabled, and the PUSCH is to be transmitted to both of the first and the second TRPs if both of the two SRI or TPMI fields are enabled”, in combination with other limitation in claim 8. Prior Art of the Record: The prior art made of record not relied upon and considered pertinent to Applicant’s disclosure: US 20220232482: A terminal according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: a control section that determines a reference signal for pathloss reference for a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), based on any one of reception of a medium access control control element (MAC CE) and transmission of a random access channel; and a transmitting section that transmits the PUSCH by using transmission power based on the reference signal for pathloss reference. US 20220225361: The present disclosure discloses a method of receiving a signal by a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system, including configuring a first transmission and reception point (TRP) using resources of a first cell, configuring a second TRP using resources of a second cell, receiving first downlink control information (DCI) scheduling a first physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), receiving second DCI scheduling a second PUSCH, transmitting the first PUSCH to the first TRP, and transmitting the second PUSCH to the second TRP. US 20220201679: A method and device are provided for transmitting/receiving a UL signal in a wireless communication system supporting cooperative communication. A method for communication by a UE includes transmitting, to a base station, UE capability information for changing at least one of a UL beam, a transmit power, or a frequency, receiving information about an offset in a time domain from the base station, based on the UE capability information. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to GOLAM SOROWAR whose telephone number is (571)270-3761. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Fri: 8:30AM-5PM. 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, Charles Appiah can be reached at (571) 272-7904. 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. /GOLAM SOROWAR/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2641
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Prosecution Timeline

Jul 21, 2023
Application Filed
Aug 28, 2025
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103
Nov 25, 2025
Response Filed
Jan 16, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §103
Apr 16, 2026
Request for Continued Examination
Apr 22, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
Aug 04, 2026
Examiner Interview (Telephonic)
Aug 12, 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
81%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+17.9%)
2y 9m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
High
PTA Risk
Based on 902 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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