Prosecution Insights
Last updated: May 29, 2026
Application No. 18/410,834

UPLINK TRANSMISSION DURING REFERENCE SIGNAL RECEPTION IN FULL-DUPLEX COMMUNICATION

Non-Final OA §102
Filed
Jan 11, 2024
Examiner
GUADALUPE CRUZ, AIXA AMYR
Art Unit
2466
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
Qualcomm Incorporated
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
73%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
1y 2m
Est. Remaining
92%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 73% — above average
73%
Career Allowance Rate
369 granted / 507 resolved
+14.8% vs TC avg
Strong +20% interview lift
Without
With
+19.5%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 6m
Avg Prosecution
24 currently pending
Career history
550
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.3%
-39.7% vs TC avg
§103
75.9%
+35.9% vs TC avg
§102
19.2%
-20.8% vs TC avg
§112
1.9%
-38.1% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 507 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 . This application has been examined. Claims 1-20 are pending. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102 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. 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)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention. Claim(s) 1-20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Su et al. (US Patent Application Publication 2022/0182160; hereinafter Su). Regarding claim 1 Su discloses a user equipment (UE) (paragraph 0119), comprising: one or more memories storing processor-executable code (paragraph 0185); and one or more processors coupled with the one or more memories and individually or collectively operable to (paragraph 0119) execute the code to cause the UE to: receive control information indicating a self-interference threshold for full-duplex communication during reception of a reference signal (paragraphs 0287, 0375, 0377-0379, 0468, 0475-0488; the UE receives configuration information, which comprises a predetermined threshold for full-duplex during reception of self-interference measurement reference signal); receive a scheduling grant allocating uplink resources and downlink resources for full-duplex communication within a time resource using a first set of parameters (paragraphs 0280-0287, 0387-0390, 0404, 0459-0460; wherein the UE is allocated resources to communicate via full-duplex or half-duplex according to the self-interference determination); and communicate via the uplink resources and the downlink resources within the time resource using a second set of parameters based at least in part on the uplink resources and the downlink resources satisfying the self-interference threshold (paragraphs 0280-0287, 0387-0390, 0404, 0459-0460; wherein the UE is allocated resources to communicate via full-duplex or half-duplex according to the self-interference determination). Regarding claim 2 Su discloses the UE of claim 1, wherein, to communicate via the uplink resources and the downlink resources using the second set of parameters, the one or more processors are individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the UE to: transmit an uplink communication using the uplink resources during the time resource while concurrently receiving the reference signal using the downlink resources during the time resource (paragraphs 0282-0286, 0397; a full-duplex apparatus transmits a known modulation symbol or reference signal on a specific physical resource - hereinafter, the symbol or signal is referred to as a self-interference elimination special reference signal or a reference signal for self-interference channel estimation, or a self-interference reference signal for short), and receives the self-interference signal at the same time). Regarding claim 3 Su discloses the UE of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively further operable to execute the code to cause the UE to: determine that a quantity of resource elements between a first resource element associated with the uplink resources and a second resource element associated with the downlink resources is less than a threshold quantity of resource elements, wherein the self-interference threshold comprises the threshold quantity of resource elements (paragraphs 0375-0384, ; the offset information may include one or more of a symbol offset, a physical resource element offset, a physical resource block offset, and the like). Regarding claim 4 Su discloses the UE of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively further operable to execute the code to cause the UE to: determine that the uplink resources and the downlink resources overlap in the time resource by a quantity of symbols that is less than a threshold quantity of symbols, wherein the self-interference threshold comprises the threshold quantity of symbols (paragraphs 0318, 0359, 0364, 0385, 0388; reduce the influence of the self-interference physical signal transmission on a subsequent OFDM symbol transmission, that is, reducing a number of sampling points in a time-domain symbol of the self-interference physical signal that overlaps with a subsequent OFDM symbol including a next OFDM symbol due to delay). Regarding claim 5 Su discloses the UE of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively further operable to execute the code to cause the UE to: determine that a transmit power associated with an uplink communication associated with the uplink resources is greater than a threshold transmit power level, wherein the self-interference threshold comprises the threshold transmit power level (paragraphs 0274, 0378, 0397-0412; the power of self-interference will be much higher than the power of the uplink signal to be received). Regarding claim 6 Su discloses the UE of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively further operable to execute the code to cause the UE to: determine that a spatial separation between a transmit beam associated with the uplink resources and a receive beam associated with the downlink resources is less than a threshold spatial separation, wherein the self-interference threshold comprises the threshold spatial separation (paragraphs 0285, 0496-0497; antenna elimination method may include designing a circuit of a transmitting and receiving antenna to reduce the intensity of the self-interference signal at least to the intensity of a receiving antenna in a manner of physical isolation, transceiver signal countervailing, or the like). Regarding claim 7 Su discloses the UE of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively further operable to execute the code to cause the UE to: determine, based on a receive beam used to receive the reference signal using the downlink resources, one or more restricted uplink beams; determine a transmit beam associated with an uplink transmission using the uplink resources; and determine that the uplink resources and the downlink resources satisfy the self-interference threshold based at least in part on determining that the transmit beam is included in the one or more restricted uplink beams (paragraphs 0285, 0496-0497; antenna elimination method may include designing a circuit of a transmitting and receiving antenna to reduce the intensity of the self-interference signal at least to the intensity of a receiving antenna in a manner of physical isolation, transceiver signal countervailing, or the like). Regarding claim 8 Su discloses the UE of claim 1, wherein, to communicate via the uplink resources and the downlink resources using the second set of parameters, the one or more processors are individually or collectively further operable to execute the code to cause the UE to: puncture a portion of the uplink resources to increase a quantity of resource elements between the uplink resources and the downlink resources within the time resource (paragraphs 0303, 0334-0341, 0359; performing at least one of truncating the physical signal after an end time boundary of a first OFDM symbol in the at least two OFDM symbols), shift a portion of the uplink resources to increase a quantity of resource elements between the uplink resources and the downlink resources within the time resource (paragraphs 0099-0101, 0297, 0301-0302, 0316-0318; timing offset), adjust a transmit power of an uplink transmission associated with the uplink resources (paragraphs 0274, 0378, 0397-0412; the power of self-interference will be much higher than the power of the uplink signal to be received), adjust a transmit beam associated with an uplink transmission associated with the uplink resources (paragraphs 0285, 0496-0497; antenna elimination method may include designing a circuit of a transmitting and receiving antenna to reduce the intensity of the self-interference signal at least to the intensity of a receiving antenna in a manner of physical isolation, transceiver signal countervailing, or the like), and transmit control signaling comprising a message indicating that the self- interference threshold was satisfied (figs. 23, 29, 32-33; updated configuration information transmitted to UE based on measuring results). Regarding claim 9 Su discloses the UE of claim 1, wherein the uplink resources comprise symbols corresponding to a physical uplink control channel transmission, a physical uplink shared channel transmission, or a sounding reference signal (paragraphs 0091, 0298, 0724; SRS/PUCCH/PUSCH). Regarding claim 10 Su discloses the UE of claim 1, wherein the downlink resources comprise symbols corresponding to a synchronization signal block index configured for layer 1 reference signal received power measurement, activated semi-persistent channel-state information reference signal resources configured for layer 1 reference signal received power measurement, a periodic channel-state information reference signal resource configured for layer 1 reference signal received power measurement, aperiodic channel- state information reference signal resources configured for layer 1 reference signal received power measurement, or a combination thereof (paragraphs 0298-0300, 0357, 0381; CSI-RS). Regarding claim 11 Su discloses the UE of claim 1, wherein the UE is triggered to measure at least a portion of the aperiodic channel-state information reference signal resources (paragraphs 0375-0390; the received first configuration information may be used to configure the measurement time-frequency resource and/or measurement reference signal(s) for the residual self-interference measurement). Regarding claim 12 Su discloses the UE of claim 1, wherein the control information is received via radio resource control signaling, medium access control-control element signaling, downlink control information signaling, or a combination thereof (paragraph 0656; the received first configuration information may be used to configure the measurement time-frequency resource and/or measurement reference signal(s) for the residual self-interference measurement). Regarding claim 13 Su discloses a method for wireless communications by a user equipment (UE), comprising: receiving control information indicating a self-interference threshold for full-duplex communication during reception of a reference signal (paragraphs 0287, 0375, 0377-0379, 0468, 0475-0488; the UE receives configuration information, which comprises a predetermined threshold for full-duplex during reception of self-interference measurement reference signal); receiving a scheduling grant allocating uplink resources and downlink resources for full-duplex communication within a time resource using a first set of parameters (paragraphs 0280-0287, 0387-0390, 0404, 0459-0460; wherein the UE is allocated resources to communicate via full-duplex or half-duplex according to the self-interference determination); and communicating via the uplink resources and the downlink resources within the time resource using a second set of parameters based at least in part on the uplink resources and the downlink resources satisfying the self-interference threshold (paragraphs 0280-0287, 0387-0390, 0404, 0459-0460; wherein the UE is allocated resources to communicate via full-duplex or half-duplex according to the self-interference determination). Regarding claim 14 Su discloses the method of claim 13, further comprising: determining that a quantity of resource elements between a first resource element associated with the uplink resources and a second resource element associated with the downlink resources is less than a threshold quantity of resource elements, wherein the self-interference threshold comprises the threshold quantity of resource elements (paragraphs 0375-0384, ; the offset information may include one or more of a symbol offset, a physical resource element offset, a physical resource block offset, and the like). Regarding claim 15 Su discloses the method of claim 13, further comprising: determining that the uplink resources and the downlink resources overlap in the time resource by a quantity of symbols that is less than a threshold quantity of symbols, wherein the self-interference threshold comprises the threshold quantity of symbols (paragraphs 0318, 0359, 0364, 0385, 0388; reduce the influence of the self-interference physical signal transmission on a subsequent OFDM symbol transmission, that is, reducing a number of sampling points in a time-domain symbol of the self-interference physical signal that overlaps with a subsequent OFDM symbol including a next OFDM symbol due to delay). Regarding claim 16 Su discloses the method of claim 13, further comprising: determining that a transmit power associated with an uplink communication associated with the uplink resources is greater than a threshold transmit power level, wherein the self-interference threshold comprises the threshold transmit power level (paragraphs 0274, 0378, 0397-0412; the power of self-interference will be much higher than the power of the uplink signal to be received). Regarding claim 17 Su discloses the method of claim 13, further comprising: determining that a spatial separation between a transmit beam associated with the uplink resources and a receive beam associated with the downlink resources is less than a threshold spatial separation, wherein the self-interference threshold comprises the threshold spatial separation (paragraphs 0285, 0496-0497; antenna elimination method may include designing a circuit of a transmitting and receiving antenna to reduce the intensity of the self-interference signal at least to the intensity of a receiving antenna in a manner of physical isolation, transceiver signal countervailing, or the like). Regarding claim 18 Su discloses the method of claim 13, further comprising: determining, based on a receive beam used to receive the reference signal using the downlink resources, one or more restricted uplink beams; determining a transmit beam associated with an uplink transmission using the uplink resources; and determining that the uplink resources and the downlink resources satisfy the self-interference threshold based at least in part on determining that the transmit beam is included in the one or more restricted uplink beams (paragraphs 0285, 0496-0497; antenna elimination method may include designing a circuit of a transmitting and receiving antenna to reduce the intensity of the self-interference signal at least to the intensity of a receiving antenna in a manner of physical isolation, transceiver signal countervailing, or the like). Regarding claim 19 Su discloses the method of claim 13, wherein communicating via the uplink resources and the downlink resources using the second set of parameters further comprises: puncturing a portion of the uplink resources to increase a quantity of resource elements between the uplink resources and the downlink resources within the time resource (paragraphs 0303, 0334-0341, 0359; performing at least one of truncating the physical signal after an end time boundary of a first OFDM symbol in the at least two OFDM symbols), shifting a portion of the uplink resources to increase a quantity of resource elements between the uplink resources and the downlink resources within the time resource (paragraphs 0099-0101, 0297, 0301-0302, 0316-0318; timing offset), adjusting a transmit power of an uplink transmission associated with the uplink resources (paragraphs 0274, 0378, 0397-0412; the power of self-interference will be much higher than the power of the uplink signal to be received), adjusting a transmit beam associated with an uplink transmission associated with the uplink resources (paragraphs 0285, 0496-0497; antenna elimination method may include designing a circuit of a transmitting and receiving antenna to reduce the intensity of the self-interference signal at least to the intensity of a receiving antenna in a manner of physical isolation, transceiver signal countervailing, or the like), or transmitting control signaling comprising a message indicating that the self-interference threshold was satisfied (figs. 23, 29, 32-33; updated configuration information transmitted to UE based on measuring results). Regarding claim 20 Su discloses a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communications (paragraph 0185), the code comprising instructions executable by one or more processors to: receive control information indicating a self-interference threshold for full-duplex communication during reception of a reference signal (paragraphs 0287, 0375, 0377-0379, 0468, 0475-0488; the UE receives configuration information, which comprises a predetermined threshold for full-duplex during reception of self-interference measurement reference signal); receive a scheduling grant allocating uplink resources and downlink resources for full-duplex communication within a time resource using a first set of parameters (paragraphs 0280-0287, 0387-0390, 0404, 0459-0460; wherein the UE is allocated resources to communicate via full-duplex or half-duplex according to the self-interference determination); and communicate via the uplink resources and the downlink resources within the time resource using a second set of parameters based at least in part on the uplink resources and the downlink resources satisfying the self-interference threshold (paragraphs 0280-0287, 0387-0390, 0404, 0459-0460; wherein the UE is allocated resources to communicate via full-duplex or half-duplex according to the self-interference determination). Citation of Pertinent Prior Art The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. US PGPUB 2023/0254778 to Ioffe et al. – that discloses The UE and/or the one or more base stations may receive an indication of self-interference at the UE. This indication may be based on a receiver of the UE (e.g., a receive signal quality, a receive signal power, and so on), a transmitter of the UE (e.g., a transmission power), an estimate of self-interference, and so on. If there is sufficient self-interference (e.g., if the self-interference exceeds a threshold), then the one or more base stations may configure the UE for non-simultaneous receive/transmit operation to avoid transmission interfering with reception. If there is a lack of self-interference (e.g., if the self-interference does not exceed the threshold), then the one or more base stations may configure the UE for simultaneous receive/transmit operation, as transmission is unlikely to interfere with reception. USPN 12,356,379 to Lee et al. – which discloses a full duplex operation in a wireless communication system, and more particularly, to a power control method and apparatus for efficiently using a full duplex operation in a wireless communication system. US PGPUB 2022/0022206 to Ibrahim et al. – that discloses techniques and apparatuses for concurrent self-interference and cross-link interference measurement and reporting. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Aixa A Guadalupe-Cruz whose telephone number is (571)270-7523. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Thursday 6AM - 4:00PM. 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, Faruk Hamza can be reached at 571-272-7969. 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. /Aixa Guadalupe-Cruz/ Examiner Art Unit 2466 /FARUK HAMZA/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2466
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Jan 11, 2024
Application Filed
Mar 30, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102 (current)

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
73%
Grant Probability
92%
With Interview (+19.5%)
3y 6m (~1y 2m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 507 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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