Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 04, 2026
Application No. 18/396,545

COMMUNICATION APPARATUS, MASTER NODE, AND COMMUNICATION CONTROL METHOD

Final Rejection §103
Filed
Dec 26, 2023
Priority
Jun 29, 2021 — JP 2021-107712 +1 more
Examiner
CHANG, KAI J
Art Unit
2468
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
Toyota Motor Corporation
OA Round
2 (Final)
74%
Grant Probability
Favorable
3-4
OA Rounds
11m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 74% — above average
74%
Career Allowance Rate
310 granted / 422 resolved
+15.5% vs TC avg
Strong +39% interview lift
Without
With
+39.0%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 8m
Avg Prosecution
17 currently pending
Career history
429
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
7.1%
-32.9% vs TC avg
§103
65.0%
+25.0% vs TC avg
§102
13.2%
-26.8% vs TC avg
§112
7.2%
-32.8% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 422 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 . Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status. This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention. 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. 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. Claims 1 – 10 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Xie et al (US Patent Application Publication 2022/0386172, previously cited), and further in view of Xiao et al (US Patent Application Publication 2023/0007531). Hereinafter Xie and Xiao. Regarding claim 1, Xie discloses a communication apparatus that is connected to a master node associated with a master cell group (MCG) and is connected to a secondary node associated with a secondary cell group (SCG) using dual connectivity (the UE is configured with split bearer configuration with base station 102 as primary cell of the MCG and the base station 180 as the primary cell of the SCG for dual connectivity, Figs. 4, 9, 11, 12, paragraphs [0056], [0070] [0082], [0086]), the communication apparatus comprising: a controller (the apparatus includes controller, paragraphs [0049], [0050], [0087]) including a primary radio link control (RLC) entity and a secondary RLC entity (the apparatus includes processing system including processor and RLC control components, where the apparatus includes means for transmitting an uplink transmission using an uplink split bearer configuration from a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer over one or both of a first radio link control (RLC) entity associated with a master cell group (MCG) and a second RLC entity associated with a secondary cell group (SCG), paragraphs [0056], [0083], [0085] – [0088]), the primary RLC entity and the secondary RLC entity being associated with a split bearer (the apparatus includes processing system including processor and RLC control components, where the apparatus includes means for transmitting an uplink transmission using an uplink split bearer configuration from a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer over one or both of a first radio link control (RLC) entity associated with a master cell group (MCG) and a second RLC entity associated with a secondary cell group (SCG), paragraphs [0056], [0083], [0085] – [0088]); and a receiver (the apparatus includes reception component, paragraphs [0049], [0050], [0087]) configured to receive a radio resource control (RRC) message (the apparatus includes reception component that receives downlink signaling such as RRC message, paragraph [0082]); and wherein the PDCP entity submits a PDCP protocol data unit (PDU) to the primary RLC entity in a case where a total amount of PDCP data volume and RLC data volume pending for initial transmission is smaller than a threshold (the PDCP entity routes uplink packets to only a primary RLC entity when the level of uplink traffic is below a transmit buffer threshold, paragraph [0060]; the UE transmits uplink transmission using uplink split bearer configuration including transmit buffer threshold from PDCP entity over first RLC entity associated with MCG, where the PDCP component generates uplink packet such as PDCP PDUs and routes the PDCP PDUs to RLC entity based on uplink split bearer configuration, paragraph [0076]). However, Xie does not explicitly disclose “RRC message including information indicating a cell group identifier associated with the primary RLC entity for uplink data transmission, wherein, in a case where the SCG is deactivated and a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) entity is associated with the primary RLC entity and the secondary RLC entity, the cell group identifier, which is associated with the primary RLC entity, corresponds to the MCG.” Xiao discloses the UE receives a MAC CE message that indicates activation or deactivation of an associated RLC entity (i.e. indicating whether a corresponding RLC entity is activated), where the MAC CE includes Ri field that indicates activation or deactivation of the corresponding RLC entity, or the Ri field indicates an activation/deactivation status of PDCP duplication of the corresponding RLC entity, and RLC entities correspond to R0, R1 and R2 respectively, in the ascending (or descending) order of RLC entity identities (paragraphs [0048] – [0053]); the base station configures the PDCP duplication bearer for the UE by sending RRC message to the UE including information element (IE) secondaryFallbackPath that indicates a secondary RLC entity or an activated secondary RLC entity or a fallback RLC entity which is used or transmits a PDCP PDU after PDCP duplication is deactivated, where the value of the secondaryFallbackPath information element is a logical channel identity of the secondary RLC entity or an LCID of the secondary RLC entity or an identity of a logical channel associated with the secondary RLC entity or an identity of the secondary RLC entity (denoted as an RLC ID), and a cell group corresponding to the logical channel identity or LCID is different from a cell group corresponding to the primary path, and the cell group identity is 0 when it is corresponding to the MCG, and the cell group identity is 1 when it is corresponding to the SCG (paragraphs [0070] – [0071]). Before the effective filing date of the invention, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, having the teachings of Xie and Xiao before him or her, to incorporate the RLC entity activation or deactivation as taught by Xiao, to improve the apparatus of Xie for utilizing the split bearer configuration for transmission. The motivation for doing so would have been to improve the communication efficiency and reliability of a wireless communication system (paragraph [0005] of Xiao). Regarding claim 2, Xie and Xiao disclose the communication apparatus according to claim 1, Xie discloses wherein the PDCP entity is configured to indicate the PDCP data volume to a media access control (MAC) entity associated with the primary RLC entity in a case where the total amount of the PDCP data volume and the RLC data volume pending for the initial transmission is smaller than the threshold (the PDCP entity routes uplink packets to only a primary RLC entity when the level of uplink traffic is below a transmit buffer threshold, paragraph [0060]; the UE transmits uplink transmission using uplink split bearer configuration including transmit buffer threshold from PDCP entity over first RLC entity associated with MCG, where the PDCP component generates uplink packet such as PDCP PDUs and routes the PDCP PDUs to RLC entity based on uplink split bearer configuration, paragraph [0076]). Regarding claim 3, Xie and Xiao disclose the communication apparatus according to claim 1, but Xie does not explicitly disclose wherein the receiver is configured to receive the RRC message including information indicating the deactivation of the SCG. Xiao discloses the UE receives a MAC CE message that indicates activation or deactivation of an associated RLC entity (i.e. indicating whether a corresponding RLC entity is activated), where the MAC CE includes Ri field that indicates activation or deactivation of the corresponding RLC entity, or the Ri field indicates an activation/deactivation status of PDCP duplication of the corresponding RLC entity, and RLC entities correspond to R0, R1 and R2 respectively, in the ascending (or descending) order of RLC entity identities (paragraphs [0048] – [0053]); the base station configures the PDCP duplication bearer for the UE by sending RRC message to the UE including information element (IE) secondaryFallbackPath that indicates a secondary RLC entity or an activated secondary RLC entity or a fallback RLC entity which is used or transmits a PDCP PDU after PDCP duplication is deactivated, where the value of the secondaryFallbackPath information element is a logical channel identity of the secondary RLC entity or an LCID of the secondary RLC entity or an identity of a logical channel associated with the secondary RLC entity or an identity of the secondary RLC entity (denoted as an RLC ID), and a cell group corresponding to the logical channel identity or LCID is different from a cell group corresponding to the primary path, and the cell group identity is 0 when it is corresponding to the MCG, and the cell group identity is 1 when it is corresponding to the SCG (paragraphs [0070] – [0071]). Before the effective filing date of the invention, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, having the teachings of Xie and Xiao before him or her, to incorporate the RLC entity activation or deactivation as taught by Xiao, to improve the apparatus of Xie for utilizing the split bearer configuration for transmission. The motivation for doing so would have been to improve the communication efficiency and reliability of a wireless communication system (paragraph [0005] of Xiao). Regarding claim 4, Xie discloses a master node that is associated with a master cell group (MCG) and is connected to a secondary node associated with a secondary cell group (SCG) and to a communication apparatus using dual connectivity (the UE is configured with split bearer configuration with base station 102 as primary cell of the MCG and the base station 180 as the primary cell of the SCG for dual connectivity, Figs. 4, 9, 11, 12, paragraphs [0056], [0070] [0082], [0086]), the master node comprising: a controller (the apparatus includes controller, paragraphs [0049], [0050], [0087]) including a primary radio link control (RLC) entity and a secondary RLC entity (the apparatus includes processing system including processor and RLC control components, where the apparatus includes means for transmitting an uplink transmission using an uplink split bearer configuration from a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer over one or both of a first radio link control (RLC) entity associated with a master cell group (MCG) and a second RLC entity associated with a secondary cell group (SCG), paragraphs [0056], [0083], [0085] – [0088]), the primary RLC entity and the secondary RLC entity being associated with a split bearer (the apparatus includes processing system including processor and RLC control components, where the apparatus includes means for transmitting an uplink transmission using an uplink split bearer configuration from a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer over one or both of a first radio link control (RLC) entity associated with a master cell group (MCG) and a second RLC entity associated with a secondary cell group (SCG), paragraphs [0056], [0083], [0085] – [0088]); and a transmitter (the apparatus includes transmission component, paragraphs [0049], [0050], [0087]) configured to transmit, to the communication apparatus, a radio resource control (RRC) message (the apparatus includes transmission component, where the transmission component sends downlink signaling such as RRC message to the UE to receive via reception component, paragraph [0082]). However, Xie does not explicitly disclose “RRC message including information indicating a cell group identifier associated with the primary RLC entity for uplink data transmission, wherein, in a case where the SCG is deactivated and a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) entity is associated with the primary RLC entity and the secondary RLC entity, the cell group identifier, which is associated with the primary RLC entity, corresponds to the MCG.” Xiao discloses the UE receives a MAC CE message that indicates activation or deactivation of an associated RLC entity (i.e. indicating whether a corresponding RLC entity is activated), where the MAC CE includes Ri field that indicates activation or deactivation of the corresponding RLC entity, or the Ri field indicates an activation/deactivation status of PDCP duplication of the corresponding RLC entity, and RLC entities correspond to R0, R1 and R2 respectively, in the ascending (or descending) order of RLC entity identities (paragraphs [0048] – [0053]); the base station configures the PDCP duplication bearer for the UE by sending RRC message to the UE including information element (IE) secondaryFallbackPath that indicates a secondary RLC entity or an activated secondary RLC entity or a fallback RLC entity which is used or transmits a PDCP PDU after PDCP duplication is deactivated, where the value of the secondaryFallbackPath information element is a logical channel identity of the secondary RLC entity or an LCID of the secondary RLC entity or an identity of a logical channel associated with the secondary RLC entity or an identity of the secondary RLC entity (denoted as an RLC ID), and a cell group corresponding to the logical channel identity or LCID is different from a cell group corresponding to the primary path, and the cell group identity is 0 when it is corresponding to the MCG, and the cell group identity is 1 when it is corresponding to the SCG (paragraphs [0070] – [0071]). Before the effective filing date of the invention, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, having the teachings of Xie and Xiao before him or her, to incorporate the RLC entity activation or deactivation as taught by Xiao, to improve the apparatus of Xie for utilizing the split bearer configuration for transmission. The motivation for doing so would have been to improve the communication efficiency and reliability of a wireless communication system (paragraph [0005] of Xiao). Regarding claim 5, Xie and Xiao disclose the master node according to claim 4, but Xie does not explicitly disclose wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit, to the communication apparatus, the RRC message including information indicating the deactivation of the SCG. Xiao discloses the UE receives a MAC CE message that indicates activation or deactivation of an associated RLC entity (i.e. indicating whether a corresponding RLC entity is activated), where the MAC CE includes Ri field that indicates activation or deactivation of the corresponding RLC entity, or the Ri field indicates an activation/deactivation status of PDCP duplication of the corresponding RLC entity, and RLC entities correspond to R0, R1 and R2 respectively, in the ascending (or descending) order of RLC entity identities (paragraphs [0048] – [0053]); the base station configures the PDCP duplication bearer for the UE by sending RRC message to the UE including information element (IE) secondaryFallbackPath that indicates a secondary RLC entity or an activated secondary RLC entity or a fallback RLC entity which is used or transmits a PDCP PDU after PDCP duplication is deactivated, where the value of the secondaryFallbackPath information element is a logical channel identity of the secondary RLC entity or an LCID of the secondary RLC entity or an identity of a logical channel associated with the secondary RLC entity or an identity of the secondary RLC entity (denoted as an RLC ID), and a cell group corresponding to the logical channel identity or LCID is different from a cell group corresponding to the primary path, and the cell group identity is 0 when it is corresponding to the MCG, and the cell group identity is 1 when it is corresponding to the SCG (paragraphs [0070] – [0071]). Before the effective filing date of the invention, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, having the teachings of Xie and Xiao before him or her, to incorporate the RLC entity activation or deactivation as taught by Xiao, to improve the apparatus of Xie for utilizing the split bearer configuration for transmission. The motivation for doing so would have been to improve the communication efficiency and reliability of a wireless communication system (paragraph [0005] of Xiao). Regarding claim 6, Xie discloses a communication control method in a communication apparatus that is connected to a master node associated with a master cell group (MCG) and is connected to a secondary node associated with a secondary cell group (SCG) using dual connectivity (the UE is configured with split bearer configuration with base station 102 as primary cell of the MCG and the base station 180 as the primary cell of the SCG for dual connectivity, Figs. 4, 9, 11, 12, paragraphs [0056], [0070] [0082], [0086]), wherein the communication apparatus includes a primary radio link control (RLC) entity and a secondary RLC entity (the apparatus includes processing system including processor and RLC control components, where the apparatus includes means for transmitting an uplink transmission using an uplink split bearer configuration from a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer over one or both of a first radio link control (RLC) entity associated with a master cell group (MCG) and a second RLC entity associated with a secondary cell group (SCG), paragraphs [0056], [0083], [0085] – [0088]), the primary RLC entity and the secondary RLC entity being associated with a split bearer (the apparatus includes processing system including processor and RLC control components, where the apparatus includes means for transmitting an uplink transmission using an uplink split bearer configuration from a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer over one or both of a first radio link control (RLC) entity associated with a master cell group (MCG) and a second RLC entity associated with a secondary cell group (SCG), paragraphs [0056], [0083], [0085] – [0088]), the communication control method comprising the steps of: receiving a radio resource control (RRC) message (the apparatus includes reception component that receives downlink signaling such as RRC message, paragraph [0082]); and submitting, by the PDCP entity, a PDCP protocol data unit (PDU) to the primary RLC entity in a case where a total amount of PDCP data volume and RLC data volume pending for initial transmission is smaller than a threshold (the PDCP entity routes uplink packets to only a primary RLC entity when the level of uplink traffic is below a transmit buffer threshold, paragraph [0060]; the UE transmits uplink transmission using uplink split bearer configuration including transmit buffer threshold from PDCP entity over first RLC entity associated with MCG, where the PDCP component generates uplink packet such as PDCP PDUs and routes the PDCP PDUs to RLC entity based on uplink split bearer configuration, paragraph [0076]). However, Xie does not explicitly disclose “RRC message including information indicating a cell group identifier associated with the primary RLC entity for uplink data transmission, wherein, in a case where the SCG is deactivated and a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) entity is associated with the primary RLC entity and the secondary RLC entity, the cell group identifier, which is associated with the primary RLC entity, corresponds to the MCG.” Xiao discloses the UE receives a MAC CE message that indicates activation or deactivation of an associated RLC entity (i.e. indicating whether a corresponding RLC entity is activated), where the MAC CE includes Ri field that indicates activation or deactivation of the corresponding RLC entity, or the Ri field indicates an activation/deactivation status of PDCP duplication of the corresponding RLC entity, and RLC entities correspond to R0, R1 and R2 respectively, in the ascending (or descending) order of RLC entity identities (paragraphs [0048] – [0053]); the base station configures the PDCP duplication bearer for the UE by sending RRC message to the UE including information element (IE) secondaryFallbackPath that indicates a secondary RLC entity or an activated secondary RLC entity or a fallback RLC entity which is used or transmits a PDCP PDU after PDCP duplication is deactivated, where the value of the secondaryFallbackPath information element is a logical channel identity of the secondary RLC entity or an LCID of the secondary RLC entity or an identity of a logical channel associated with the secondary RLC entity or an identity of the secondary RLC entity (denoted as an RLC ID), and a cell group corresponding to the logical channel identity or LCID is different from a cell group corresponding to the primary path, and the cell group identity is 0 when it is corresponding to the MCG, and the cell group identity is 1 when it is corresponding to the SCG (paragraphs [0070] – [0071]). Before the effective filing date of the invention, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, having the teachings of Xie and Xiao before him or her, to incorporate the RLC entity activation or deactivation as taught by Xiao, to improve the apparatus of Xie for utilizing the split bearer configuration for transmission. The motivation for doing so would have been to improve the communication efficiency and reliability of a wireless communication system (paragraph [0005] of Xiao). Regarding claim 7, Xie and Xiao disclose the communication control method according to claim 6, but Xie does not explicitly disclose further comprising the step of: receiving the RRC message including information indicating the deactivation of the SCG. Xiao discloses the UE receives a MAC CE message that indicates activation or deactivation of an associated RLC entity (i.e. indicating whether a corresponding RLC entity is activated), where the MAC CE includes Ri field that indicates activation or deactivation of the corresponding RLC entity, or the Ri field indicates an activation/deactivation status of PDCP duplication of the corresponding RLC entity, and RLC entities correspond to R0, R1 and R2 respectively, in the ascending (or descending) order of RLC entity identities (paragraphs [0048] – [0053]); the base station configures the PDCP duplication bearer for the UE by sending RRC message to the UE including information element (IE) secondaryFallbackPath that indicates a secondary RLC entity or an activated secondary RLC entity or a fallback RLC entity which is used or transmits a PDCP PDU after PDCP duplication is deactivated, where the value of the secondaryFallbackPath information element is a logical channel identity of the secondary RLC entity or an LCID of the secondary RLC entity or an identity of a logical channel associated with the secondary RLC entity or an identity of the secondary RLC entity (denoted as an RLC ID), and a cell group corresponding to the logical channel identity or LCID is different from a cell group corresponding to the primary path, and the cell group identity is 0 when it is corresponding to the MCG, and the cell group identity is 1 when it is corresponding to the SCG (paragraphs [0070] – [0071]). Before the effective filing date of the invention, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, having the teachings of Xie and Xiao before him or her, to incorporate the RLC entity activation or deactivation as taught by Xiao, to improve the apparatus of Xie for utilizing the split bearer configuration for transmission. The motivation for doing so would have been to improve the communication efficiency and reliability of a wireless communication system (paragraph [0005] of Xiao). Regarding claim 8, Xie and Xiao disclose the communication apparatus according to claim 1, but Xie does not explicitly disclose wherein the secondary RLC entity is a split secondary RLC entity. Xiao discloses the UE receives a MAC CE message that indicates activation or deactivation of an associated RLC entity (i.e. indicating whether a corresponding RLC entity is activated), where the MAC CE includes Ri field that indicates activation or deactivation of the corresponding RLC entity, or the Ri field indicates an activation/deactivation status of PDCP duplication of the corresponding RLC entity, and RLC entities correspond to R0, R1 and R2 respectively, in the ascending (or descending) order of RLC entity identities (paragraphs [0048] – [0053]); where Fig. 7 shows R0, R1, R2 are split RLC entities (paragraphs [0054] – [0060). Before the effective filing date of the invention, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, having the teachings of Xie and Xiao before him or her, to incorporate the RLC entity activation or deactivation as taught by Xiao, to improve the apparatus of Xie for utilizing the split bearer configuration for transmission. The motivation for doing so would have been to improve the communication efficiency and reliability of a wireless communication system (paragraph [0005] of Xiao). Regarding claim 9, Xie and Xiao disclose the master node according to claim 4, but Xie does not explicitly disclose wherein the secondary RLC entity is a split secondary RLC entity. Xiao discloses the UE receives a MAC CE message that indicates activation or deactivation of an associated RLC entity (i.e. indicating whether a corresponding RLC entity is activated), where the MAC CE includes Ri field that indicates activation or deactivation of the corresponding RLC entity, or the Ri field indicates an activation/deactivation status of PDCP duplication of the corresponding RLC entity, and RLC entities correspond to R0, R1 and R2 respectively, in the ascending (or descending) order of RLC entity identities (paragraphs [0048] – [0053]); where Fig. 7 shows R0, R1, R2 are split RLC entities (paragraphs [0054] – [0060). Before the effective filing date of the invention, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, having the teachings of Xie and Xiao before him or her, to incorporate the RLC entity activation or deactivation as taught by Xiao, to improve the apparatus of Xie for utilizing the split bearer configuration for transmission. The motivation for doing so would have been to improve the communication efficiency and reliability of a wireless communication system (paragraph [0005] of Xiao). Regarding claim 10, Xie and Xiao disclose the communication control method according to claim 6, but Xie does not explicitly disclose wherein the secondary RLC entity is a split secondary RLC entity. Xiao discloses the UE receives a MAC CE message that indicates activation or deactivation of an associated RLC entity (i.e. indicating whether a corresponding RLC entity is activated), where the MAC CE includes Ri field that indicates activation or deactivation of the corresponding RLC entity, or the Ri field indicates an activation/deactivation status of PDCP duplication of the corresponding RLC entity, and RLC entities correspond to R0, R1 and R2 respectively, in the ascending (or descending) order of RLC entity identities (paragraphs [0048] – [0053]); where Fig. 7 shows R0, R1, R2 are split RLC entities (paragraphs [0054] – [0060). Before the effective filing date of the invention, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, having the teachings of Xie and Xiao before him or her, to incorporate the RLC entity activation or deactivation as taught by Xiao, to improve the apparatus of Xie for utilizing the split bearer configuration for transmission. The motivation for doing so would have been to improve the communication efficiency and reliability of a wireless communication system (paragraph [0005] of Xiao). Response to Arguments Applicant's arguments, see pages 6 – 8, filed July 18, 2026, with respect to claims 1 – 10 have been considered but are moot in view of the new ground(s) of rejection. Conclusion Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a). A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action. The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure: JIN et al (US Patent Application Publication 2021/0037595) – the UE receives a packet duplication configuration and a logical channel restriction configuration (allowedServingCells) for a data radio bearer (DRB) from a base station through an RRC message, receives an indication to deactivate packet duplication for the DRB for which packet duplication is configured from the base station through a media access control (MAC) control element (CE), and not applying the logical channel restriction configuration for the DRB for which packet duplication is configured based on the indication to deactivate the packet duplication KIM et al (US Patent Application Publication 2022/0377829) – receiving a packet duplication configuration for a radio bearer from a base station (BS) via a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message, configuring a plurality of RLC entities including one primary RLC entity and one or more secondary RLC entities which correspond to a preset Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) entity based on the packet duplication configuration, and receiving a Medium Access Control Control Element (MAC CE) for controlling activation or deactivation of the one or more secondary RLC entities from among the plurality of configured RLC entities Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to KAI J CHANG whose telephone number is (571)270-5448. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday, 10AM-6PM EST. 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, Marcus Smith can be reached at (571)270-1096. 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. /Kai Chang/Examiner, Art Unit 2468 /Thomas R Cairns/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2468
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Dec 26, 2023
Application Filed
Mar 19, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103
Jul 08, 2026
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)
Jul 08, 2026
Examiner Interview Summary
Jul 18, 2026
Response Filed
Sep 21, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §103 (current)

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3-4
Expected OA Rounds
74%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+39.0%)
3y 8m (~11m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
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