Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/443,093

SUBBAND FULL DUPLEX SYMBOL INFORMATION VIA SLOT FORMAT INDICATORS

Non-Final OA §102
Filed
Feb 15, 2024
Examiner
KHAN, SUHAIL
Art Unit
2642
Tech Center
2600 — Communications
Assignee
Qualcomm Incorporated
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
80%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
2y 6m
To Grant
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 80% — above average
80%
Career Allow Rate
447 granted / 561 resolved
+17.7% vs TC avg
Strong +28% interview lift
Without
With
+28.2%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 6m
Avg Prosecution
24 currently pending
Career history
585
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
4.2%
-35.8% vs TC avg
§103
44.5%
+4.5% vs TC avg
§102
38.7%
-1.3% vs TC avg
§112
7.7%
-32.3% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 561 resolved cases

Office Action

§102
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 . DETAILED ACTION The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . Priority Receipt is acknowledged of papers submitted under 35 U.S.C. 119(a)-(d), which papers have been placed of record in the file. 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 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)(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 1-20 rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Seok et al. (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2025/0294538) Referring to Claim 1, Seok et al. disclose a user equipment (UE) (pars 109 and 271-273, UE), comprising: one or more memories storing processor-executable code (par 109, memory); and one or more processors coupled with the one or more memories and individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the UE to (par 109, processor): receive control signaling that indicates a configuration comprising a set of one or more subband full duplex (SBFD) symbols (pars 271-273, configuration, SBFD symbols), wherein the set of one or more SBFD symbols are configured in one or more time division duplex (TDD) downlink symbols or one or more TDD flexible symbols (pars 271-273, TDD – downlink/flexible); monitor for downlink control information comprising a slot format indicator (SFI), wherein the SFI indicates each of one or more SBFD symbols of the set of one or more SBFD symbols as downlink, uplink, or flexible (pars 271-273, SFI, TDD, downlink, uplink, flexible); and perform wireless communication according to one or more of the configuration or the SFI (pars 12, 271-273, communication). Referring to Claim 2 as applied to Claim 1 above, Seok et al. disclose the UE, wherein the set of one or more SBFD symbols are configured in the one or more TDD downlink symbols or one or more TDD flexible symbols by converting the one or more TDD downlink symbols or one or more TDD flexible symbols to one or more SBFD symbols (pars 271-273, TDD then SBFD format). Referring to Claim 3 as applied to Claim 1 above, Seok et al. disclose the UE, the configuration indicates that one or more SBFD symbols of the set of one or more SBFD symbols are configured in the one or more TDD downlink symbols, wherein the SFI indicates each of one or more SBFD symbols of the set of one or more SBFD symbols as downlink (pars 271-273, SBFD, downlink), and wherein, to perform wireless communication, the one or more processors are individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the UE to: receive a downlink communication via one or more downlink subbands associated with the set of one or more SBFD symbols, wherein the downlink communication comprises one or more of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) transmission, a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) transmission, a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) transmission, or a positioning reference signal (PRS) transmission (pars 271-277, PDCCH, PDSCH). Referring to Claim 4 as applied to Claim 1 above, Seok et al. disclose the UE, wherein the configuration indicates that one or more SBFD symbols of the set of one or more SBFD symbols are configured in the one or more TDD downlink symbols (pars 271-273, SBFD, downlink), wherein the SFI indicates each of one or more SBFD symbols of the set of one or more SBFD symbols as uplink (pars 271-273, SFI, TDD, uplink), and wherein, to perform wireless communication, the one or more processors are individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the UE to: transmit an uplink communication via one or more uplink subbands associated with the set of one or more SBFD symbols, wherein the uplink communication comprises one or more of a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) transmission, a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmission, a sounding reference signal (SRS) transmission, or a physical random access channel (PRACH) transmission (pars 276 and 277, PUCCH, PUSCH, SRS, PRACH). Referring to Claim 5 as applied to Claim 1 above, Seok et al. disclose the UE, wherein the SFI indicates each of one or more SBFD symbols of the set of one or more SBFD symbols as flexible (pars 271-273, SBFD, flexible), and wherein, to perform wireless communication, the one or more processors are individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the UE to: receive a downlink communication or transmit an uplink communication based at least in part on a corresponding downlink control information, wherein to receive the downlink communication is based at least in part on canceling the uplink communication associated with one or more uplink subbands, and wherein to transmit the uplink communication is based at least in part on dropping the downlink communication associated with one or more downlink subbands (par 215, cancel). Referring to Claim 6 as applied to Claim 1 above, Seok et al. disclose the UE, wherein the configuration indicates that one or more SBFD symbols of the set of one or more SBFD symbols are configured in the one or more TDD downlink symbols, wherein the SFI indicates each of one or more SBFD symbols of the set of one or more SBFD symbols as flexible, and wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively further operable to execute the code to cause the UE to: refrain from receiving a downlink communication or transmitting an uplink communication via the set of one or more SBFD symbols indicated as flexible (pars 271-277, SBFD, flexible, downlink/uplink). Referring to Claim 7 as applied to Claim 1 above, Seok et al. disclose the UE, wherein the configuration indicates that one or more SBFD symbols of the set of one or more SBFD symbols are configured in the one or more TDD flexible symbols (pars 271-277, SBFD, TDD, flexible), wherein the SFI indicates each of one or more SBFD symbols of the set of one or more SBFD symbols as downlink, and wherein, to perform wireless communication, the one or more processors are individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the UE to: receive a downlink communication via one or more flexible subbands associated with the set of one or more SBFD symbols (pars 271-277, SBFD, downlink), wherein the downlink communication comprises one or more of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) transmission, a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) transmission, a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) transmission, or a positioning reference signal (PRS) transmission (pars 271-277, PDCCH, PDSCH). Referring to Claim 8 as applied to Claim 1 above, Seok et al. disclose the UE, wherein the configuration indicates that one or more SBFD symbols of the set of one or more SBFD symbols are configured in the one or more TDD flexible symbols (pars 271-277, SBFD, TDD, flexible), wherein the SFI indicates each of one or more SBFD symbols of the set of one or more SBFD symbols as flexible, and wherein, to perform wireless communication, the one or more processors are individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the UE to: receive a downlink communication via one or more flexible subbands associated with the set of one or more SBFD symbols, wherein the downlink communication comprises one or more of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) transmission, a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) transmission, a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) transmission, or a positioning reference signal (PRS) transmission (pars 271-277, PDCCH. PDSCH). Referring to Claim 9 as applied to Claim 1 above, Seok et al. disclose the UE, wherein the configuration indicates that one or more SBFD symbols of the set of one or more SBFD symbols are configured in the one or more TDD flexible symbols, wherein the SFI indicates each of one or more SBFD symbols of the set of one or more SBFD symbols as flexible (pars 271-277, SBFD, TDD, flexible), and wherein, to perform wireless communication, the one or more processors are individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the UE to: transmit an uplink communication via one or more uplink subbands associated with the set of one or more SBFD symbols, wherein the uplink communication comprises one or more of a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) transmission, a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmission, a sounding reference signal (SRS) transmission, or a physical random access channel (PRACH) transmission configured by higher-layer signaling (pars 276-278, PUCCH, PUSCH, SRS, PRACH, higher layer). Referring to Claim 10 as applied to Claim 1 above, Seok et al. disclose the UE, wherein the configuration indicates that one or more SBFD symbols of the set of one or more SBFD symbols as are configured in the one or more TDD flexible symbols (pars 271-277, SBFD, TDD, flexible), wherein the SFI indicates each of one or more SBFD symbols of the set of one or more SBFD symbols as uplink, and wherein, to perform wireless communication, the one or more processors are individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the UE to: transmit an uplink communication via one or more uplink subbands and one or more flexible subbands associated with the set of one or more SBFD symbols, wherein the uplink communication comprises one or more of a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) transmission, a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmission, a sounding reference signal (SRS) transmission, or a physical random access channel (PRACH) transmission (pars 276-278, PUCCH, PUSCH, SRS,PRACH). Referring to Claim 11 as applied to Claim 1 above, Seok et al. disclose the UE, wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively further operable to execute the code to cause the UE to: determine an absence of the SFI that indicates each of one or more SBFD symbols of the set of one or more SBFD symbols as flexible (pars 271-273 and 283, flexible, not detected). Referring to Claim 12 as applied to Claim 1 above, Seok et al. disclose the UE, wherein the configuration indicates that one or more SBFD symbols of the set of one or more SBFD symbols are configured in the one or more TDD downlink symbols or in the one or more TDD flexible symbols (pars 271-277, SBFD, TDD, downlink, flexible), wherein the SFI indicates each of one or more SBFD symbols of the set of one or more SBFD symbols as downlink, and wherein, to perform wireless communication, the one or more processors are individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the UE to: receive a downlink communication via one or more TDD downlink symbols based at least in part on the SFI indicates each of one or more SBFD symbols of the set of one or more SBFD symbols as downlink (pars 271-277, SBFD, TDD, downlink). Referring to Claim 13 as applied to Claim 1 above, Seok et al. disclose the UE, wherein the configuration indicates that one or more SBFD symbols of the set of one or more SBFD symbols are configured in the one or more TDD downlink symbols or in the one or more TDD flexible symbols (pars 271-277, SBFD, TDD, downlink, flexible), wherein the SFI indicates each of one or more SBFD symbols of the set of one or more SBFD symbols as flexible, and wherein, to perform wireless communication, the one or more processors are individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the UE to: perform the wireless communication via the one or more SBFD symbols or one or more TDD flexible symbols (pars 271-277, SBFD, TDD, flexible). Referring to Claim 14 as applied to Claim 1 above, Seok et al. disclose the UE, wherein the configuration indicates that one or more SBFD symbols of the set of one or more SBFD symbols are configured in the one or more TDD flexible symbols, wherein the SFI indicates each of one or more SBFD symbols of the set of one or more SBFD symbols as uplink, and wherein, to perform wireless communication, the one or more processors are individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the UE to: transmit one or more messages via the one or more SBFD symbols (pars 271-277, SBFD, uplink). Referring to Claim 15 as applied to Claim 1 above, Seok et al. disclose the UE, wherein the configuration indicates that one or more SBFD symbols of the set of one or more SBFD symbols are configured in the one or more TDD flexible symbols or the one or more TDD downlink symbols (pars 271-277, SBFD, TDD, flexbile, downlink), wherein the SFI indicates each of one or more SBFD symbols of the set of one or more SBFD symbols as uplink, and wherein, to perform wireless communication, the one or more processors are individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the UE to: perform an uplink communication irrespective of the SFI; or declare an error associated with configuring the one or more SBFD symbols of the set of one or more SBFD symbols in the one or more TDD flexible symbols or the one or more TDD downlink symbols (pars 271-277, uplink). Referring to Claim 16, Seok et al. disclose a user equipment (UE) (pars 109 and 271-273, UE), comprising: one or more memories storing processor-executable code (par 109, memory); and one or more processors coupled with the one or more memories and individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the UE to (par 109, processor): receive control signaling that indicates a configuration comprising a set of one or more symbols (pars 271-273, configuration, wherein the configuration indicates one or more symbols of the set of one or more symbols as downlink or flexible (pars 271-273, downlink/flexible); receive downlink control information comprising a slot format indicator (SFI), wherein the SFI indicates each of one or more symbols of the set of one or more symbols as time division duplexing (TDD) downlink symbols, TDD flexible symbols, or subband full duplex (SBFD) symbols (pars 271-273, SFI, TDD, downlink, flexible, SBFD); and perform wireless communication according to one or more of the configuration or the SFI (pars 12, 271-273, communication). Referring to Claim 17 as applied to Claim 16 above, Seok et al. disclose the UE, wherein the configuration comprises at least one SFI table comprising one or more entries indicatives of the set of one or more symbols as one or more of downlink, uplink, flexible, or SBFB (Fig. 28 and pars 271-273, downlink, uplink, flexible, SBFD). Referring to Claim 18 as applied to Claim 16 above, Seok et al. disclose the UE, wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively further operable to execute the code to cause the UE to: receive a radio resource control signaling that indicates a second configuration comprising a set of one or more SBFD symbol patterns, wherein to perform wireless communication is based at least in part on at least one SBFD symbol pattern of the set of one or more SBFD symbol patterns and wherein the SFI comprises a bitfield that enables the at least one SBFD symbol pattern of the set of one or more SBFD symbol patterns (pars 271-273 and 241, RRC, format; dynamic SFI). Referring to Claim 19 as applied to Claim 18 above, Seok et al. disclose the UE, wherein the at least one SBFD symbol pattern of the set of one or more SBFD symbol patterns is applicable to one or more symbols associated with the SFI, or the at least one SBFD symbol pattern is applicable until a second SFI enables at least one second SBFD symbol pattern of the set of one or more SBFD symbol patterns (pars 271-273 and 241, dynamic SFI). Referring to Claim 20, Seok et al. disclose a method for wireless communications at a user equipment (UE) (pars 109 and 271-273, UE), comprising: receiving control signaling that indicates a configuration comprising a set of one or more subband full duplex (SBFD) symbols (pars 271-273, configuration, SBFD symbols), wherein the set of one or more SBFD symbols are configured in one or more time division duplex (TDD) downlink symbols or one or more TDD flexible symbols (pars 271-273, TDD – downlink/flexible); monitoring for downlink control information comprising a slot format indicator (SFI), wherein the SFI indicates each of one or more SBFD symbols of the set of one or more SBFD symbols as downlink, uplink, or flexible (pars 271-273, SFI, TDD, downlink, uplink, flexible); and performing wireless communication according to one or more of the configuration or the SFI (pars 12, 271-273, communication). Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to SUHAIL KHAN whose telephone number is (571)270-7187. The examiner can normally be reached on M-TH 8:30am-6:30pm. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Rafael Perez-Gutierrez can be reached on 5712727915. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. 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. 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). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to the automated information system, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /Suhail Khan/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2642
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Feb 15, 2024
Application Filed
Jan 29, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §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

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
80%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+28.2%)
2y 6m
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 561 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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