Prosecution Insights
Last updated: July 17, 2026
Application No. 18/351,485

INFORMATION INDICATION METHOD AND APPARATUS, DEVICE, AND STORAGE MEDIUM

Non-Final OA §102
Filed
Jul 12, 2023
Priority
Jan 15, 2021 — continuation of PCTCN2021072240
Examiner
NGO, RICKY QUOC
Art Unit
2464
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
Guangdong OPPO Mobile Telecommunications Corp., Ltd.
OA Round
3 (Non-Final)
41%
Grant Probability
Moderate
3-4
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
80%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 41% of resolved cases
41%
Career Allowance Rate
12 granted / 29 resolved
-16.6% vs TC avg
Strong +39% interview lift
Without
With
+39.0%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 11m
Avg Prosecution
8 currently pending
Career history
34
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§103
65.9%
+25.9% vs TC avg
§102
28.2%
-11.8% vs TC avg
§112
5.9%
-34.1% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 29 resolved cases

Office Action

§102
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 . Response to Arguments Applicant’s arguments, see the remarks, filed 05/12/2026, with respect to claims 1, 4-8, 9, 12-17, and 18 as currently amended have been fully considered and are persuasive. The rejection of the claims has been withdrawn. However, upon further consideration, a new ground(s) of rejection is made in view of Yang et al reference (US 20210266955 A1). Claims 2, 3, 10, 11, 19, & 20 were cancelled by the previous amendment. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102 The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action: A person shall be entitled to a patent unless – (a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention. Claims 1, 4-8, 9, 12-17, and 18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Yang et al reference (US 20210266955 A1). Regarding claims 1, 9 and 10, Yang discloses a method and system for sending message (msg) 1 in a random access procedure, wherein the msg 1 is used to indicate that the terminal requires repeated transmission of msg 3 ( Para [0046] describes the terminal determines whether to trigger an Msg3 repetition based on RSRP/RSRQ/path loss ... The terminal requests an Msg3 repetition from the base station through the Msg1. Para [0087] further describes the terminal determines whether to trigger an Msg3 repetition ... The terminal requests an Msg3 repetition from the base station through the Msg1. Para [0141] further mentions the terminal and the base station ... [network] notifies the terminal to perform Msg3 repetition."); receiving a random access response or scheduling information of the random access response, wherein a repetition number of the msg 3 is indicated in the random access response or the scheduling information of the random access response (Yang discloses that the terminal receives RAR information or DCI scrambled by RA-RNTI / TC-RNTI, and that information includes the number of Msg3 repetitions. See Para [0010], RAR information or DCI scrambled by TC-RNTI, where the RAR or the DCI scrambled by the TC-RNTI includes number of Msg3 repetitions. See Para [0064] there is a first bit field that is used for indicating the repetition number of msg3. See Para [0119] , the base station transmits a RAR and corresponding DCI 1-0 ... to configure the parameter ... for Msg3 repetition ...See Para [0148] the base station sends a RAR and DCI 1-0 ... to schedule the terminal to perform Msg3 repetition); and wherein the random access response comprises a first bit field, the first bit field comprises a random access response scheduling grant (RARgrant) field, and the RARgrant field is used for indicating the repetition number of msg 3 (See Para [0064], there is a first bit field ... in the RAR message format, and the first bit field is used for indicating the repetition number of msg 3. Exemplarily, the first bit field includes: bits in the random access response scheduling grant field (RARgrant). It further explains that the RARgrant field can indicate repetition number via the CSIrequest field via partial bits of the PUSCH frequency resource allocation field, or via combinations of those bits.) Regarding claims 4, 12, Yang further teaches wherein the msg 1 is further used to indicate at least one of following information: a channel quality of the terminal; and a repetition number of msg 3 expected by the terminal (See [0086], a trigger condition for Msg3 repetition based on the reference signal received power (RSRP)/reference signal received quality (RSRQ)/path loss. Para [0087] describes the terminal determines whether to trigger an Msg3 repetition based on RSRP/RSRQ/path loss. Para [0108] says if the terminal detects that the signal quality of all SSBs is lower than the threshold value T0). Regarding claims 5, 13, Yang further teaches wherein: random access channel resource used by the msg 1 is a resource in a first random access channel resource; and the first random access channel resource is a random access channel resource used when the repeated transmission of the msg 3 is required (Yang teaches Yang reference repeatedly discloses that, when Msg3 repetition is involved the terminal may use a new Msg1 resource, the resource may be based on a selected SSB number plus Msg1-related parameters, and there is a normal Msg1 resource versus a Msg3 repetition-related Msg1 resource. See various Paragraphs [0097], [0098], [0099], [0102], [0116], [0146], [0148] for the relevant teaching). Regarding claims 6, 14, Yang further teaches the random access channel resource used by the msg 1 is a resource, in the first random access channel resource, corresponding to the channel quality of the terminal; and different random access channel resources in the first random access channel resource correspond to different channel qualities; or at least two random access channel resources in the first random access channel resource correspond to different channel qualities (See Para [0087] for the terminal determines whether to trigger an Msg3 repetition based on RSRP/RSRQ/path loss. The terminal requests an Msg3 repetition from the base station through the Msg1. Para [0088]-[0091] for the first threshold value TO is used for selecting an SSB that satisfies the signal quality requirement for the Msg3 repetition. Para [0107]-[0109] for the terminal detects the signal quality RSRP of each SSB and determines whether to request Msg3 repetition. Para [0116] for the terminal selects an SSB with signal quality greater than the first threshold value T0 and transmits the Msg1 on the corresponding Msg1 time-frequency resource. Para [0099] for an Msg1 resource (preamble and RO) configured in the random access procedure of Msg3 repetition may be further divided into a plurality of small sets based on size of the Msg3 transport block. Para [0102]-[0105] for mappings may be specified between Msg1 preamble set / RACH occasion resource and SSB threshold value T0.) Regarding claims 7, 16, Yang further teaches a random access preamble used by the msg 1 is a preamble in a first random access preamble group; and the first random access preamble group is a random access preamble group used when the repeated transmission of the msg 3 is required (See Para [0097] for the Msg1-related parameter includes a candidate PRACH preamble set. Para [0098] for … if the terminal needs to perform a random access procedure of Msg3 repetition, it needs to transmit the Msg1 according to new Msg1 parameters (preamble set and RO parameter). Para [0102] for Msg1 preamble set and/or random access channel occasion (RACH occasion, RO) resource . Para [0109]-[0116] for the terminal selects an SSB with signal quality greater than the first threshold value TO ... and transmits the Msg1 on the corresponding Msg1 time-frequency resource.) Regarding claims 8, 17, the random access preamble used by the msg 1 is a preamble, in the first random access preamble group, corresponding to the channel quality of the terminal; and different random access preambles in the first random access preamble group correspond to different channel qualities; or at least two random access preambles in the first random access preamble group correspond to different channel qualities (See Para "[0097] for the Msg1-related parameter includes a candidate PRACH preamble set. Para [0098] for ... if the terminal needs to perform a random access procedure of Msg3 repetition, it needs to transmit the Msg1 according to new Msg1 parameters (preamble set and RO parameter). Para [0102]-[0106] for Msg1 preamble set and/or random access channel occasion (RACH occasion, RO) resource ... mappings may be specified through a system message. Para [0087] for the terminal determines whether to trigger an Msg3 repetition based on RSRP/RSRQ/path loss . Para [0108] for ... if the terminal detects that the signal quality of all SSBs is lower than the threshold value T0. Para [0116] for the terminal selects an SSB with signal quality greater than the first threshold value T0 and transmits the Msg1 on the corresponding Msg1 time-frequency resource. Para [0090]-[0091] for using threshold values ... for SSB selection.) Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to RICKY QUOC NGO whose telephone number is (571)272-3139. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. 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. 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. /RICKY Q NGO/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2464
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Jul 12, 2023
Application Filed
Jul 21, 2025
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102
Oct 20, 2025
Response Filed
Mar 12, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §102
May 12, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
May 29, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102 (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
41%
Grant Probability
80%
With Interview (+39.0%)
2y 11m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
High
PTA Risk
Based on 29 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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