Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/290,704

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PERFORMING UPLINK TRANSMISSION AND RECEPTION IN WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

Non-Final OA §103
Filed
Jan 19, 2024
Examiner
SEN, ANINDITA
Art Unit
2478
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
LG Electronics Inc.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
83%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
2y 11m
To Grant
87%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 83% — above average
83%
Career Allow Rate
62 granted / 75 resolved
+24.7% vs TC avg
Minimal +4% lift
Without
With
+3.9%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 11m
Avg Prosecution
51 currently pending
Career history
126
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.3%
-39.7% vs TC avg
§103
78.5%
+38.5% vs TC avg
§102
14.7%
-25.3% vs TC avg
§112
1.9%
-38.1% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 75 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 . 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) 1-6,8-10,12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over He et al. (US20230269712A1) in view of Mozaffari et al. (US20240195591A1)(hereinafter (Mo). Regarding Claim 1, He teaches, A method performed by a user equipment (UE) to perform uplink transmission in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: receiving, from a base station, first configuration information related to a first initial uplink bandwidth part (BWP) for a reduced capability (RedCap) UE; and [225]- According to a seventh approach, a set of redcap-specific initial UL BWPs may be explicitly configured in a system information block (e.g. SIB1), (=receiving, from a base station, first configuration information related to a first initial uplink bandwidth part (BWP) for a reduced capability (RedCap) UEs) limiting the BW to a value up to the BW supported by redcap devices (BWRedcap). Also see [195]- From the perspective of scheduling complexity and resource utilization it may be beneficial to have the same initial operating DL and UL BWP parameters for redcap UEs and non-redcap UEs. transmitting, to the base station, a first physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) on the first initial uplink BWP using a PUCCH resource set provided by second configuration information related to a PUCCH resource for the RedCap UE, [202]- A separate physical resource block (PRB) Offset (Δoffset Redcap) for frequency hopping (FH) may be explicitly configured in the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH)(= PUCCH resource set provided by second configuration information related to a PUCCH resource for the RedCap UE) [203]- during an initial access procedure, the frequency hopping (FH) is always enabled and the resource block (RB) for PUCCH is distributed at the edges of the initial UL BWP to provide frequency diversity. In the time domain(=transmitting, to the base station, a first physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) on the first initial uplink BWP) He does not teach, wherein information related to disabling frequency hopping for the first PUCCH transmission is received from the base station together with the second configuration information. Mo teaches, wherein information related to disabling frequency hopping for the first PUCCH transmission is received from the base station together with the second configuration information. Fig 15 and [167]- At step 1502, the wireless device receives configuration information to be utilized to communicate with a base station, the configuration information including information indicating whether frequency hopping, associated with transmission of control information via a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), is enabled or disabled. 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 He, wherein information related to disabling frequency hopping for the first PUCCH transmission is received from the base station together with the second configuration information as taught by Yuan to add performance based on additional CSI fields for different TRP capabilities. Regarding Claim 2, He teaches, The method of claim 1, wherein: based on third configuration information related to dedicated PUCCH resources being received from the base station, a second PUCCH is transmitted to the base station based on the third configuration information.[202]- A common resource information element (common resource IE) in the System Information Block (SIB; e.g. SIB1) may be explicitly configured with the following restriction:N BWP size−2Δoffset Redcap≤BWRedcap. As seen in FIG. 6 , the resources for transmissions by the redcap device are bounded by the separately configured PRB offset Δoffset Redcap. Regarding Claim 3, He teaches, The method of claim 2, wherein: the first PUCCH is transmitted to the base station based on the second configuration information until the third configuration information is received during an initial access procedure.[214]- : Presently, in an initial access procedure the PUCCH resource is determined by using a combination of the PUCCH Resource Indictor (PRI) IE of a DCI 0_0 that schedules a Msg4,(=second cfg) if the UE provides HARQ-ACK information in a PUCCH transmission in response to detecting a DCI format scheduling a PDSCH reception(=third cfg) or a semi persistent scheduling (SPS) PDSCH release, the UE determines a PUCCH resource. Regarding Claim 4, He teaches, The method of claim 1, wherein: based on a size of a maximum UL BWP supported by the UE being smaller than a size of a second initial uplink BWP, the first configuration information is received from the base station. [5]- with the initial uplink BWP having a bandwidth (BW) that is larger than a maximum BW supported by the device and is smaller than or equal to a maximum BW supported by the second device. Regarding Claim 5, He teaches,The method of claim 4, wherein: the first configuration information is received from the base station through a system information block type 1 (SIB 1). [225]- According to a seventh approach, a set of redcap-specific initial UL BWPs may be explicitly configured in a system information block (e.g. SIB1), Regarding Claim 6, He does not teach, The method of claim 5, wherein: the SIB 1 includes fourth configuration information related to a PUCCH resource set to be used in the second initial uplink BWP. Mo teaches,The method of claim 5, wherein: the SIB 1 includes fourth configuration information related to a PUCCH resource set to be used in the second initial uplink BWP. [168] At step 1604, the wireless device transmits, by selectively utilizing frequency hopping, control information via a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) based on the first size of the first initial BWP and the second size of the second initial BWP or based on the first location of the first initial BWP and the second location of the second initial BWP. 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 He, The method of claim 5, wherein: the SIB 1 includes fourth configuration information related to a PUCCH resource set to be used in the second initial uplink BWP as taught by Yuan to add performance based on additional CSI fields for different TRP capabilities. Regarding Claim 8, He teaches, The method of claim 1, wherein: based on a PUCCH resource indicator (PRI) field included in downlink control information (DCI) and a control channel element (CCE) index corresponding to a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) including the DCI, the first PUCCH is transmitted to the base station using a specific PUCCH resource among a plurality of PUCCH resources included in the PUCCH resource set. [214]- Presently, in an initial access procedure the PUCCH resource is determined by using a combination of the PUCCH Resource Indictor (PRI) IE of a DCI 0_0 that schedules a Msg4, where NCCE is a number of CCEs in a CORESET of a PDCCH reception with the DCI format, as described in Clause 10.1, nCCE,0 is the index of a first CCE for the PDCCH reception, and ΔPRI is a value of the PUCCH resource indicator field in DCI format. Regarding Claim 9, He teaches, The method of claim 1, wherein: the UE is a UE with RedCap. FIG. 6 shows a simplified diagram illustrating default physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resource configuration specific to a reduced capability (redcap) device, according to some embodiments; Regarding Claim 10, He teaches, A user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system, the UE comprising: at least one transceiver; and at least one processor coupled to the at least one transceiver, the at least one processor is configured to: receive, from a base station through the at least one transceiver, first configuration information related to a first initial uplink bandwidth part (BWP) for a reduced capability (RedCap) UE; and [225]- According to a seventh approach, a set of redcap-specific initial UL BWPs may be explicitly configured in a system information block (e.g. SIB1), (=receiving, from a base station, first configuration information related to a first initial uplink bandwidth part (BWP) for a reduced capability (RedCap) UEs) limiting the BW to a value up to the BW supported by redcap devices (BWRedcap). Also see [195]- From the perspective of scheduling complexity and resource utilization it may be beneficial to have the same initial operating DL and UL BWP parameters for redcap UEs and non-redcap UEs. transmit, to the base station through the at least one transceiver, a first physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) from the first initial uplink BWP using a PUCCH resource set provided by second configuration information related to a PUCCH resource for the RedCap UE [202]- A separate physical resource block (PRB) Offset (Δoffset Redcap) for frequency hopping (FH) may be explicitly configured in the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH)(= PUCCH resource set provided by second configuration information related to a PUCCH resource for the RedCap UE) [203]- during an initial access procedure, the frequency hopping (FH) is always enabled and the resource block (RB) for PUCCH is distributed at the edges of the initial UL BWP to provide frequency diversity. In the time domain(=transmitting, to the base station, a first physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) on the first initial uplink BWP) He does not teach, wherein information related to disabling frequency hopping for the first PUCCH transmission is received from the base station together with the second configuration information. Mo teaches, wherein information related to disabling frequency hopping for the first PUCCH transmission is received from the base station together with the second configuration information. information. Fig 15 and [167]- At step 1502, the wireless device receives configuration information to be utilized to communicate with a base station, the configuration information including information indicating whether frequency hopping, associated with transmission of control information via a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), is enabled or disabled. 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 He, wherein information related to disabling frequency hopping for the first PUCCH transmission is received from the base station together with the second configuration information as taught by Yuan to add performance based on additional CSI fields for different TRP capabilities. Regarding Claim 12, He teaches, A base station performing uplink reception in a wireless communication system, the base station comprising: at least one transceiver; and at least one processor coupled to the at least one transceiver, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: transmit, to a user equipment (UE) through the at least one transceiver, first configuration information related to a first initial uplink bandwidth part (BWP) for a reduced capability (RedCap) UE; and [225]- According to a seventh approach, a set of redcap-specific initial UL BWPs may be explicitly configured in a system information block (e.g. SIB1), (=receiving, from a base station, first configuration information related to a first initial uplink bandwidth part (BWP) for a reduced capability (RedCap) UEs) limiting the BW to a value up to the BW supported by redcap devices (BWRedcap). Also see [195]- From the perspective of scheduling complexity and resource utilization it may be beneficial to have the same initial operating DL and UL BWP parameters for redcap UEs and non-redcap UEs. receive, from the UE through the at least one transceiver, a first physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) from the first initial uplink BWP using a PUCCH resource set provided by second configuration information related to a PUCCH resource for the RedCap UE, [202]- A separate physical resource block (PRB) Offset (Δoffset Redcap) for frequency hopping (FH) may be explicitly configured in the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH)(= PUCCH resource set provided by second configuration information related to a PUCCH resource for the RedCap UE) [203]- during an initial access procedure, the frequency hopping (FH) is always enabled and the resource block (RB) for PUCCH is distributed at the edges of the initial UL BWP to provide frequency diversity. In the time domain(=transmitting, to the base station, a first physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) on the first initial uplink BWP) He does not teach, wherein information related to disabling frequency hopping for the first PUCCH transmission is transmitted to the UE together with the second configuration information. Mo teaches, wherein information related to disabling frequency hopping for the first PUCCH transmission is transmitted to the UE together with the second configuration information. Fig 15 and [167]- At step 1502, the wireless device receives configuration information to be utilized to communicate with a base station, the configuration information including information indicating whether frequency hopping, associated with transmission of control information via a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), is enabled or disabled. 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 He, wherein information related to disabling frequency hopping for the first PUCCH transmission is transmitted to the UE together with the second configuration information as taught by Yuan to add performance based on additional CSI fields for different TRP capabilities. Claim 7 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over He et al. (US20230269712A1) in view of Mozaffari et al. (US20240195591A1)(hereinafter (Mo”) in further view of Desai et al. (US20240188122A1) Regarding Claim 7, He in view of Mo does not teach, he method of claim 5, wherein: fifth configuration information related to a random access channel (RACH) for the RedCap UE is received from the base station. Desai teaches, The method of claim 5, wherein: fifth configuration information related to a random access channel (RACH) for the RedCap UE is received from the base station.[176]- After receiving the PSDCH carrying Msg4 and the scheduling PDCCH that schedules this PDSCH in step 4, 1204, the UE transmits the PUCCH carrying the HARQ-ACK (indicating ACK/NACK) for Msg4. 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 He in view of Mo, The method of claim 5, wherein: fifth configuration information related to a random access channel (RACH) for the RedCap UE is received from the base station as taught by Yuan to add performance based on additional CSI fields for different TRP capabilities. 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 19, 2024
Application Filed
Jan 13, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §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

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
83%
Grant Probability
87%
With Interview (+3.9%)
2y 11m
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 75 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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