Prosecution Insights
Last updated: August 17, 2026
Application No. 18/344,553

UCI MULTIPLEXING METHOD AND APPARATUS, DEVICE, AND READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM

Non-Final OA §103
Filed
Jun 29, 2023
Priority
Dec 31, 2020 — CN 202011623201.9 +1 more
Examiner
ZAIDI, IQBAL
Art Unit
2464
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
Vivo Mobile Communication Co., Ltd.
OA Round
3 (Non-Final)
90%
Grant Probability
Favorable
3-4
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
97%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 90% — above average
90%
Career Allowance Rate
1104 granted / 1221 resolved
+32.4% vs TC avg
Moderate +7% lift
Without
With
+6.8%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 3m
Avg Prosecution
30 currently pending
Career history
1254
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
6.8%
-33.2% vs TC avg
§103
49.6%
+9.6% vs TC avg
§102
14.1%
-25.9% vs TC avg
§112
15.7%
-24.3% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1221 resolved cases

Office Action

§103
DETAILED ACTION The instant application having application No 18/344,533 filed on 04/27/2026 is presented for examination by the examiner. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action: (a) A patent may not be obtained though the invention is not identically disclosed or described as set forth in section 102 of this title, if the differences between the subject matter sought to be patented and the prior art are such that the subject matter as a whole would have been obvious at the time the invention was made to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which said subject matter pertains. Patentability shall not be negatived by the manner in which the invention was made. Claims 1, 5-6, 15, and 19-20 are rejected under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over Li et al. (U.S 20210337538, Oct.28, 2021) in view of CHOI et al. (US 20210092762, Mar. 25, 2021). Regarding Claim 1, Li discloses an uplink control information (UCI) multiplexing method, performed by a terminal, the method comprising: multiplexing(page 11, par (0130), line 1-10, multiplexing uplink control information for transmission performed by a base station and UE (performed by terminal)), in a case that a first physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) and a first physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) at least partially overlap in time domain(page 4, par (0054), line 1-10, Uplink control information (UCI) carried on a PUCCH includes HARQ-ACK information, channel state information (CSI), and a scheduling request (SR). After a PUCCH #1 and a PUCCH #2 overlap in time domain, UCI1 carried on the PUCCH #1 and UCI 2 carried on the PUCCH #2 need to be multiplexed, and are sent on a resource corresponding to the PUCCH #1 or the PUCCH #2, when the PUCCH #1 and a PUSCH overlap in time domain, also see par (0053), When time domain symbols corresponding to two time-frequency resources are partially the same, it is considered that the two time-frequency resources partially overlap in time domain), first UCI carried by the first PUCCH on the first PUSCH for transmission(page 4, par (0054), line 1-10, UCI1 carried on the PUCCH #1 and UCI 2 carried on the PUCCH #2 need to be multiplexed, and are sent on a resource corresponding to the PUCCH #1 or the PUCCH #2, When the PUCCH #1 and a PUSCH); and determining, according to a quantity of at least some slots of the first PUSCH, a quantity of symbols occupied by the first UCI in the first PUSCH(page 5, par (0057), line 1-10, The UCI carried on PUCCH format O is implicitly indicated by using a selected cyclic shift (CS). If the time domain length of PUCCH format 0 is two symbols, information on the first symbol may be repeatedly sent on the second symbol, and a frequency domain resource on the second symbol may be different from that on the first symbol). Li discloses all aspects of the claimed invention, except the first PUSCH is a PUSCH occupying a plurality of time units, each time unit comprising a slot; wherein the quantity of at least some slots of the first PUSCH is further determined according to the following a quantity of symbols of the first PUSCH; a quantity of resources other than a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) on the first PUSCH; and a quantity of resources configured by a network. CHOI is the same field of invention teaches the first PUSCH is a PUSCH occupying a plurality of time units, each time unit comprising a slot(page 15, par (0146), line 1-10, the UE multiplex HARQ-ACK with PUSCH transmission in all of a plurality of slots in which PUSCH transmission is performed); wherein the quantity of at least some slots of the first PUSCH is further determined according to the following a quantity of symbols of the first PUSCH (CHOI, page 2, par (0021), line 1-10, determine the position of the earlier symbol of a start symbol of a PUCCH including the HARQ-ACK information and a start symbol of PUSCH transmission over the plurality of slots (quantity of symbols of the PUSCH over some slots)); a quantity of resources other than a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) on the first PUSCH (CHOI, page 9, par (0096), line 1-10, the UE spreads the even-numbered OFDM symbols to which PUSCH format 1 is allocated through the time axis orthogonal cover code (OCC) to transmit the obtained signal. PUSCH format 1 determines the maximum number of different UEs multiplexed in the one RB according to the length of the OCC to be used. A demodulation reference signal (DMRS) may be spread with OCC and mapped to the odd-numbered OFDM symbols of PUCCH format 1(wherein quantity of resources other than DMRS on the PUSCH because DMRS mapped to the odd number which is different resources allocated even number)); and a quantity of resources configured by a network (CHOI, page 10, par (0105), line 1-10, UE uses a plurality of frequency blocks or cells configured with UL resources and DL resources as one large logical frequency band in order for a wireless communication system (configured by network) to use a wider frequency band). Li and CHOI l analogous art because they are from the same field of endeavor of access to a service device. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention to modify first PUSCH is a PUSCH occupying a plurality of time units, the time unit comprises a slot the teaching of Li to include the UE multiplex HARQ-ACK with PUSCH transmission in all of a plurality of slots in which PUSCH transmission is performed the teaching of CHOI because it is providing efficiently multiplexing uplink control information in a wireless communication system and an apparatus using the same. Regarding Claim 5, Li discloses determining, depending on whether the first PUCCH is a repetition transmission, a quantity of times of the repetition transmission of the first UCI on the first PUSCH (page 4, par (0054), line 1-10, UCI1 carried on the PUCCH #1 and UCI 2 carried on the PUCCH #2 need to be multiplexed, and are sent on a resource corresponding to the PUCCH #1 or the PUCCH #2, When the PUCCH #1 and a PUSCH). Regarding Claim 6, Li discloses the quantity of at least some slots of the first PUSCH is further determined according to one or more of the following; a quantity of symbols occupied by UCI that has been multiplexed and transmitted on the first PUSCH; or a type of the first UCI (page 7, par (0084), line 1-10, UCI corresponding to a same service type is multiplexed for transmission, to separately meet different transmission latency and transmission reliability requirements of the system on the UCL, a service type corresponding to the first HARQACK information is URLLC, and a service type corresponding to the second HARQ-ACK information is eMBB). Regarding Claim 15, Li discloses a terminal, comprising: a processor, a memory, and a program stored on the memory and runnable on the processor, wherein the program, when being executed by the processor, implements multiplexing (page 11, par (0130), line 1-10, multiplexing uplink control information for transmission performed by a base station and UE (performed by terminal)), in a case that a first physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) and a first physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) at least partially overlap in time domain(page 4, par (0054), line 1-10, Uplink control information (UCI) carried on a PUCCH includes HARQ-ACK information, channel state information (CSI), and a scheduling request (SR). After a PUCCH #1 and a PUCCH #2 overlap in time domain, UCI1 carried on the PUCCH #1 and UCI 2 carried on the PUCCH #2 need to be multiplexed, and are sent on a resource corresponding to the PUCCH #1 or the PUCCH #2, when the PUCCH #1 and a PUSCH overlap in time domain, also see par (0053), When time domain symbols corresponding to two time-frequency resources are partially the same, it is considered that the two time-frequency resources partially overlap in time domain), first UCI carried by the first PUCCH on the first PUSCH for transmission(page 4, par (0054), line 1-10, UCI1 carried on the PUCCH #1 and UCI 2 carried on the PUCCH #2 need to be multiplexed, and are sent on a resource corresponding to the PUCCH #1 or the PUCCH #2, When the PUCCH #1 and a PUSCH); and determining, according to a quantity of at least some slots of the first PUSCH, a quantity of symbols occupied by the first UCI in the first PUSCH(page 5, par (0057), line 1-10, The UCI carried on PUCCH format O is implicitly indicated by using a selected cyclic shift (CS). If the time domain length of PUCCH format 0 is two symbols, information on the first symbol may be repeatedly sent on the second symbol, and a frequency domain resource on the second symbol may be different from that on the first symbol). Li discloses all aspects of the claimed invention, except the first PUSCH is a PUSCH occupying a plurality of time units, each time unit comprising a slot; wherein the quantity of at least some slots of the first PUSCH is further determined according to the following a quantity of symbols of the first PUSCH; a quantity of resources other than a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) on the first PUSCH; and a quantity of resources configured by a network. CHOI is the same field of invention teaches the first PUSCH is a PUSCH occupying a plurality of time units, each time unit comprising a slot(page 15, par (0146), line 1-10, the UE multiplex HARQ-ACK with PUSCH transmission in all of a plurality of slots in which PUSCH transmission is performed); wherein the quantity of at least some slots of the first PUSCH is further determined according to the following a quantity of symbols of the first PUSCH (CHOI, page 2, par (0021), line 1-10, determine the position of the earlier symbol of a start symbol of a PUCCH including the HARQ-ACK information and a start symbol of PUSCH transmission over the plurality of slots (quantity of symbols of the PUSCH over some slots)); a quantity of resources other than a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) on the first PUSCH (CHOI, page 9, par (0096), line 1-10, the UE spreads the even-numbered OFDM symbols to which PUSCH format 1 is allocated through the time axis orthogonal cover code (OCC) to transmit the obtained signal. PUSCH format 1 determines the maximum number of different UEs multiplexed in the one RB according to the length of the OCC to be used. A demodulation reference signal (DMRS) may be spread with OCC and mapped to the odd-numbered OFDM symbols of PUCCH format 1(wherein quantity of resources other than DMRS on the PUSCH because DMRS mapped to the odd number which is different resources allocated even number)); and a quantity of resources configured by a network (CHOI, page 10, par (0105), line 1-10, UE uses a plurality of frequency blocks or cells configured with UL resources and DL resources as one large logical frequency band in order for a wireless communication system (configured by network) to use a wider frequency band). Li and CHOI l analogous art because they are from the same field of endeavor of access to a service device. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention to modify first PUSCH is a PUSCH occupying a plurality of time units, the time unit comprises a slot the teaching of Li to include the UE multiplex HARQ-ACK with PUSCH transmission in all of a plurality of slots in which PUSCH transmission is performed the teaching of CHOI because it is providing efficiently multiplexing uplink control information in a wireless communication system and an apparatus using the same. Regarding Claim 19, Li discloses the program, when being executed by the processor, further implements determining, depending on whether the first PUCCH is a repetition transmission, a quantity of times of the repetition transmission of the first UCI on the first PUSCH(page 4, par (0054), line 1-10, UCI1 carried on the PUCCH #1 and UCI 2 carried on the PUCCH #2 need to be multiplexed, and are sent on a resource corresponding to the PUCCH #1 or the PUCCH #2, When the PUCCH #1 and a PUSCH). Regarding Claim 20, Li discloses a non-transitory readable storage medium, storing a program or instructions, wherein the program or the instructions, when being executed by a processor, implements multiplexing(page 11, par (0130), line 1-10, multiplexing uplink control information for transmission performed by a base station and UE (performed by terminal)), in a case that a first physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) and a first physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) at least partially overlap in time domain(page 4, par (0054), line 1-10, Uplink control information (UCI) carried on a PUCCH includes HARQ-ACK information, channel state information (CSI), and a scheduling request (SR). After a PUCCH #1 and a PUCCH #2 overlap in time domain, UCI1 carried on the PUCCH #1 and UCI 2 carried on the PUCCH #2 need to be multiplexed, and are sent on a resource corresponding to the PUCCH #1 or the PUCCH #2, when the PUCCH #1 and a PUSCH overlap in time domain, also see par (0053), When time domain symbols corresponding to two time-frequency resources are partially the same, it is considered that the two time-frequency resources partially overlap in time domain), first UCI carried by the first PUCCH on the first PUSCH for transmission (page 4, par (0054), line 1-10, UCI1 carried on the PUCCH #1 and UCI 2 carried on the PUCCH #2 need to be multiplexed, and are sent on a resource corresponding to the PUCCH #1 or the PUCCH #2, When the PUCCH #1 and a PUSCH), and determining, according to a quantity of slots of the first PUSCH, a quantity of symbols occupied by the first UCI in the first PUSCH (page 5, par (0057), line 1-10, The UCI carried on PUCCH format O is implicitly indicated by using a selected cyclic shift (CS). If the time domain length of PUCCH format 0 is two symbols, information on the first symbol may be repeatedly sent on the second symbol, and a frequency domain resource on the second symbol may be different from that on the first symbol). Li discloses all aspects of the claimed invention, except the first PUSCH is a PUSCH occupying a plurality of time units, each time unit comprises a slot. CHOI is the same field of invention teaches the first PUSCH is a PUSCH occupying a plurality of time units, each time unit comprising a slot (page 15, par (0146), line 1-10, the UE multiplex HARQ-ACK with PUSCH transmission in all of a plurality of slots in which PUSCH transmission is performed). Li and CHOI l analogous art because they are from the same field of endeavor of access to a service device. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention to modify first PUSCH is a PUSCH occupying a plurality of time units, the time unit comprises a slot the teaching of Li to include the UE multiplex HARQ-ACK with PUSCH transmission in all of a plurality of slots in which PUSCH transmission is performed the teaching of CHOI because it is providing efficiently multiplexing uplink control information in a wireless communication system and an apparatus using the same. Response to Argument Applicant's arguments with respect to claims 16-31 have been considered but are moot in view of the new ground(s) of rejection. However, the new ground(s) of rejection is made in view of over Li et al. (U.S 20210337538, Oct.28, 2021) and CHOI et al. (US 20210092762, Mar. 25, 2021). Examiner Notice Claim 1 would be allowable if (i) claims 3 or 4 or 7 or 8 are incorporated into the independent claim 1. Claim 15 would be allowable if (i) claims 17 or 18 are incorporated into the independent claim 15. Claim 20 would be allowable if (i) claims 3 or 4 or 7 or 8 or 17 or 18 are incorporated into the independent claim 20. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure are: ZHANG et al. (US 20220116962, Apr. 14, 2022) teaches Terminal, Base station and method performed by the same in wireless communication system. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to IQBAL ZAIDI whose telephone number is (571)270-3943. The examiner can normally be reached on M to Thu 8.a.m to 6.p.m.. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, NGO RICKY can be reached on 571-272-3139. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. 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://pair-direct.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). /IQBAL ZAIDI/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2464
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Show 1 earlier event
Jul 15, 2025
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103
Oct 15, 2025
Response Filed
Jan 26, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §103
Mar 26, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
Apr 17, 2026
Examiner Interview (Telephonic)
Apr 27, 2026
Request for Continued Examination
May 03, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
Jul 14, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12706633
WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE AND METHOD THAT UTILIZE SPREAD SPECTRUM MODULATION TO HIDE VENDOR INFORMATION
3y 7m to grant Granted Aug 11, 2026
Patent 12706864
Gateway Apparatus And Control Method Thereof
2y 8m to grant Granted Aug 11, 2026
Patent 12700956
RELAY DISCOVERY WITHIN A SIDELINK GROUPCAST
3y 0m to grant Granted Aug 04, 2026
Patent 12701569
WIRELESS COMMUNICATION WITH A GRANT ALLOCATING RESOURCES CORRESPONDING TO AT LEAST TWO TRANSPORT BLOCKS
2y 12m to grant Granted Aug 04, 2026
Patent 12701485
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRIGGERING OF FLIGHT PATH REPORTING IN A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
2y 9m to grant Granted Aug 04, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

Strategy Recommendation AI-generated — please review before filing

Get a prosecution strategy drawn from examiner precedents, rejection analysis, and claim mapping.
Typically takes 5-10 seconds — AI-generated, attorney review required before filing

Prosecution Projections

3-4
Expected OA Rounds
90%
Grant Probability
97%
With Interview (+6.8%)
2y 3m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
High
PTA Risk
Based on 1221 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance 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