Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 27, 2026
Application No. 18/506,982

INTER-TRANSPORT BLOCK TIME INTERLEAVING

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
Nov 10, 2023
Examiner
MARCELO, MELVIN C
Art Unit
2463
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
Qualcomm Incorporated
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
86%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
80%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 86% — above average
86%
Career Allowance Rate
697 granted / 808 resolved
+28.3% vs TC avg
Minimal -7% lift
Without
With
+-6.8%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 6m
Avg Prosecution
10 currently pending
Career history
821
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
9.8%
-30.2% vs TC avg
§103
34.5%
-5.5% vs TC avg
§102
24.4%
-15.6% vs TC avg
§112
18.3%
-21.7% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 808 resolved cases

Office Action

§112
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 § 112 The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b): (b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention. The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph: The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention. Claims 1-42 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention. Claim 1, lines 12-14, recite “at least one instance of the first set of instances of the first transport block is time-interleaved with the second set of instances of the second transport block.” It is not clear how only “one instance” can be time interleaved since time-interleaving requires alternating between at least two instances of a first set and a second instances. Claim 22, lines 12-14, recite “at least one instance of the first set of instances of the first transport block is interleaved with the second set of instances of the second transport block.” It is not clear how only “one instance” can be interleaved since interleaving requires alternating between at least two instances of a first set and a second instances. Allowable Subject Matter Claims 1-42 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action. The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: Vos (US 2020/0053769 A1) teaches a single DCI for scheduling a multi-transport block where the repetition transport blocks are interleaved (paragraphs 0018-0024 and Figures 3-6), rather than first and second set of DCIs that schedule first and second instances of a first and second transport blocks for a multicast/broadcast service that are interleaved. 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 September 30, 2026
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Nov 10, 2023
Application Filed
Mar 20, 2026
Request for Continued Examination
Apr 06, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
Jul 15, 2026
Request for Continued Examination
Jul 19, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
Oct 05, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §112 (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
80%
With Interview (-6.8%)
2y 6m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 808 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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