Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/444,509

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DETERMINING DEFAULT TRANSMISSION CONFIGURATION INDICATOR IN NETWORK COOPERATIVE COMMUNICATION

Non-Final OA §102
Filed
Feb 16, 2024
Examiner
MARCELO, MELVIN C
Art Unit
2463
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
86%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
2y 6m
To Grant
78%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 86% — above average
86%
Career Allow Rate
667 granted / 777 resolved
+27.8% vs TC avg
Minimal -7% lift
Without
With
+-7.4%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 6m
Avg Prosecution
15 currently pending
Career history
792
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
7.6%
-32.4% vs TC avg
§103
33.1%
-6.9% vs TC avg
§102
25.9%
-14.1% vs TC avg
§112
17.5%
-22.5% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 777 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 . 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)(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) 21-36 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Cirik et al. (US 2022/0408475 A1). Cirik teaches the DCI including a TCI field indicating two TCI states (Figure 23), where the UE may receive downlink receptions (e.g. PDSCH) in a downlink BWP according to a configured numerology for the downlink BWP in paragraph 0122). With respect to the claims, references to the prior art appear in parenthesis. Claims 21. (New) A method performed by a user equipment (UE) (Cirik, US 2022/0408475 A1) , the method comprising: receiving, from a base station, configuration information including first information indicating at least one transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state for a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) reception (Activation command activating at least two TCI states in paragraph 0223) ; receiving, from the base station, first downlink control information (DCI) including a TCI field indicating two TCI states (MAC CE format in Figure 23 with TCI State ID1 and TCI State ID2) ; receiving, from the base station, a second DCI for scheduling the PDSCH reception (DCI used for scheduling PDSCH in paragraph 0195) ; if the first information indicates a TCI state among the two TCI states, receiving a PDSCH based on the TCI state among the two TCI states (“The wireless device may determine/select, based on a predefined rule, a selected TCI state among the at least two TCI states when the coreset is activated with the at least two TCI states” in paragraph 0227) ; and if the first information indicates both of the two TCI states, receiving PDSCHs based on the two TCI states (“the wireless device may determine the selected TCI state based on at least two TCI state indexes of the at least two TCI states” in paragraph 0227) . 22. (New) The method of claim 21, wherein, if the first information indicates a first TCI state among the two TCI states , the PDSCH is received based on the first TCI state , and wherein, if the first information indicates a second TCI state among the two TCI states, the PDSCH is received based on the second TCI state (“The wireless device may determine/select, based on a predefined rule, a selected TCI state among the at least two TCI states when the coreset is activated with the at least two TCI states” in paragraph 0227) . 23. (New) The method of claim 21, further comprising: transmitting, to the base station, a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ)- acknowledgement (ACK) corresponding to a PDSCH scheduled by the first DCI (HARQ acknowledgements are uplink control Information to acknowledge the received DL-SCH blocks in paragraph 0201) , wherein the two TCI states correspond to a joint TCI state (Predefined rules for using both of the two activated TCI states in paragraph 0227) . 24. (New) The method of claim 21, further comprising: receiving, from the base station, a third DCI including a TCI field indicating two TCI states (Activation command activating at least two TCI states in paragraph 0223) ; receiving, from the base station, a fourth DCI for scheduling a reception of at least one PDSCH, wherein the fourth DCI includes a TCI selection field (DCI used for scheduling PDSCH in paragraph 0195); and receiving the at least one PDSCH based on at least one TCI state among the two TCI states indicated by the TCI field of the third DCI (“the wireless device may determine the selected TCI state based on at least two TCI state indexes of the at least two TCI states” in paragraph 0227) , wherein the at least one TCI state is identified based on the TCI selection field (Carrier aggregation in paragraph 0130 and Figure 10A, such that the multiple transmissions of the same process). 25. (New) A method performed by a base station (Cirik, US 2022/0408475 A1) , the method comprising: transmitting, to a user equipment (UE), configuration information including first information indicating at least one transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state for a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) reception (Activation command activating at least two TCI states in paragraph 0223) ; transmitting, to the UE, first downlink control information (DCI) including a TCI field indicating two TCI states (MAC CE format in Figure 23 with TCI State ID1 and TCI State ID2); transmitting, to the UE, a second DCI for scheduling the PDSCH reception (DCI used for scheduling PDSCH in paragraph 0195); if the first information indicates a TCI state among the two TCI states, transmitting, to the UE, a PDSCH based on the TCI state among the two TCI states (“The wireless device may determine/select, based on a predefined rule, a selected TCI state among the at least two TCI states when the coreset is activated with the at least two TCI states” in paragraph 0227); and if the first information indicates both of the two TCI states, transmitting, to the UE, one of PDSCHs which are based on the two TCI states (“the wireless device may determine the selected TCI state based on at least two TCI state indexes of the at least two TCI states” in paragraph 0227). 26. (New) The method of claim 25, wherein, if the first information indicates a first TCI state among the two TCI states, the PDSCH is transmitted based on the first TCI state , and wherein, if the first information indicates a second TCI state among the two TCI states, the PDSCH is transmitted based on the second TCI state (“The wireless device may determine/select, based on a predefined rule, a selected TCI state among the at least two TCI states when the coreset is activated with the at least two TCI states” in paragraph 0227). 27. (New) The method of claim 25, further comprising: receiving, from the UE, a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ)-acknowledgement (ACK) corresponding to a PDSCH scheduled by the first DCI (HARQ acknowledgements are uplink control Information to acknowledge the received DL-SCH blocks in paragraph 0201), wherein the two TCI states correspond to a joint TCI state (Predefined rules for using both of the two activated TCI states in paragraph 0227) . 28. (New) The method of claim 25, further comprising: transmitting, to the UE, a third DCI including a TCI field indicating two TCI states (Activation command activating at least two TCI states in paragraph 0223) ; transmitting, to the UE, a fourth DCI for scheduling at least one PDSCH, wherein the fourth DCI includes a TCI selection field (DCI used for scheduling PDSCH in paragraph 0195) ; and transmitting, to the UE, one of the at least one PDSCH which is based on at least one TCI state among the two TCI states indicated by the TCI field of the third DCI (“the wireless device may determine the selected TCI state based on at least two TCI state indexes of the at least two TCI states” in paragraph 0227), wherein the at least one TCI state is identified based on the TCI selection field (Carrier aggregation in paragraph 0130 and Figure 10A, such that the multiple transmissions of the same process).. 29. (New) A user equipment (UE) (Cirik, US 2022/0408475 A1) comprising: at least one transceiver; at least one processor communicatively coupled to the at least one transceiver; and at least one memory, communicatively coupled to the at least one processor, storing instructions executable by the at least one processor individually or in any combination to cause the UE to: receive, from a base station, configuration information including first information indicating at least one transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state for a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) reception (Activation command activating at least two TCI states in paragraph 0223) , receive, from the base station, first downlink control information (DCI) including a TCI field indicating two TCI states (MAC CE format in Figure 23 with TCI State ID1 and TCI State ID2), receive, from the base station, a second DCI for scheduling the PDSCH reception (DCI used for scheduling PDSCH in paragraph 0195), if the first information indicates a TCI state among the two TCI states, receive a PDSCH based on the TCI state among the two TCI states (“The wireless device may determine/select, based on a predefined rule, a selected TCI state among the at least two TCI states when the coreset is activated with the at least two TCI states” in paragraph 0227), and if the first information indicates both of the two TCI states, receive PDSCHs based on the two TCI states (“the wireless device may determine the selected TCI state based on at least two TCI state indexes of the at least two TCI states” in paragraph 0227). 30. (New) The UE of claim 29, wherein, if the first information indicates a first TCI state among the two TCI states, the PDSCH is received based on the first TCI state, and wherein, if the first information indicates a second TCI state among the two TCI states, the PDSCH is received based on the second TCI state (“The wireless device may determine/select, based on a predefined rule, a selected TCI state among the at least two TCI states when the coreset is activated with the at least two TCI states” in paragraph 0227). 31. (New) The UE of claim 29, wherein the instructions further cause the UE to: transmit, to the base station, a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ)-acknowledgement (ACK) corresponding to a PDSCH scheduled by the first DCI (HARQ acknowledgements are uplink control Information to acknowledge the received DL-SCH blocks in paragraph 0201), and wherein the two TCI states correspond to a joint TCI state (Predefined rules for using both of the two activated TCI states in paragraph 0227) . 32. (New) The UE of claim 29, wherein the instructions further cause the UE to: receive, from the base station, a third DCI including a TCI field indicating two TCI states (Activation command activating at least two TCI states in paragraph 0223) , receive, from the base station, a fourth DCI for scheduling a reception of at least one PDSCH, wherein the fourth DCI includes a TCI selection field (DCI used for scheduling PDSCH in paragraph 0195), and receive the at least one PDSCH based on at least one TCI state among the two TCI states indicated by the TCI field of the third DCI (“the wireless device may determine the selected TCI state based on at least two TCI state indexes of the at least two TCI states” in paragraph 0227), wherein the at least one TCI state is identified based on the TCI selection field (Carrier aggregation in paragraph 0130 and Figure 10A, such that the multiple transmissions of the same process).. 33. (New) A base station (Cirik, US 2022/0408475 A1) comprising: at least one transceiver; at least one processor communicatively coupled to the at least one transceiver; and at least one memory, communicatively coupled to the at least one processor, storing instructions executable by the at least one processor individually or in any combination to cause the base station to: transmit, to a user equipment (UE), configuration information including first information indicating at least one transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state for a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) reception (Activation command activating at least two TCI states in paragraph 0223) , transmit, to the UE, first downlink control information (DCI) including a TCI field indicating two TCI states (MAC CE format in Figure 23 with TCI State ID1 and TCI State ID2), transmit, to the UE, a second DCI for scheduling the PDSCH reception (DCI used for scheduling PDSCH in paragraph 0195), if the first information indicates a TCI state among the two TCI states, transmit, to the UE, a PDSCH based on the TCI state among the two TCI states (“The wireless device may determine/select, based on a predefined rule, a selected TCI state among the at least two TCI states when the coreset is activated with the at least two TCI states” in paragraph 0227), and if the first information indicates both of the two TCI states, transmit, to the UE, one of PDSCHs which are based on the two TCI states (“the wireless device may determine the selected TCI state based on at least two TCI state indexes of the at least two TCI states” in paragraph 0227). 34. (New) The base station of claim 33, wherein, if the first information indicates a first TCI state among the two TCI states, the PDSCH is transmitted based on the first TCI state, and wherein, if the first information indicates a second TCI state among the two TCI states, the PDSCH is transmitted based on the second TCI state (“The wireless device may determine/select, based on a predefined rule, a selected TCI state among the at least two TCI states when the coreset is activated with the at least two TCI states” in paragraph 0227). 35. (New) The base station of claim 33, wherein the instructions further cause the base station to: receive, from the UE, a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ)-acknowledgement (ACK) corresponding to a PDSCH scheduled by the first DCI (HARQ acknowledgements are uplink control Information to acknowledge the received DL-SCH blocks in paragraph 0201) , and wherein the two TCI states correspond to a joint TCI state (Predefined rules for using both of the two activated TCI states in paragraph 0227) . 36. (New) The base station of claim 33, wherein the instructions further cause the base station to: transmit, to the UE, a third DCI including a TCI field indicating two TCI states (Activation command activating at least two TCI states in paragraph 0223) , transmit, to the UE, a fourth DCI for scheduling at least one PDSCH, wherein the fourth DCI includes a TCI selection field (DCI used for scheduling PDSCH in paragraph 0195) , and transmit, to the UE, one of the at least one PDSCH which is based on at least one TCI state among the two TCI states indicated by the TCI field of the third DCI (“the wireless device may determine the selected TCI state based on at least two TCI state indexes of the at least two TCI states” in paragraph 0227, and wherein the at least one TCI state is identified based on the TCI selection field (Carrier aggregation in paragraph 0130 and Figure 10A, such that the multiple transmissions of the same process).. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to MELVIN C MARCELO whose telephone number is (571)272-3125. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9:30-6:00. 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, Asad Nawaz can be reached at 571-272-3988. 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. MELVIN C. MARCELO Primary Examiner Art Unit 2463 /MELVIN C MARCELO/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2463 April 1, 2026
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Prosecution Timeline

Feb 16, 2024
Application Filed
Sep 24, 2025
Response after Non-Final Action
Apr 01, 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
86%
Grant Probability
78%
With Interview (-7.4%)
2y 6m
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 777 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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