Prosecution Insights
Last updated: May 29, 2026
Application No. 18/517,519

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DMRS PORT CONFIGURATION AND INDICATION

Final Rejection §102
Filed
Nov 22, 2023
Priority
Jan 28, 2022 — continuation of PCTCN2022074465
Examiner
PATEL, JAY P
Art Unit
2466
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
ZTE CORPORATION
OA Round
2 (Final)
84%
Grant Probability
Favorable
3-4
OA Rounds
1m
Est. Remaining
90%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 84% — above average
84%
Career Allowance Rate
782 granted / 925 resolved
+26.5% vs TC avg
Moderate +6% lift
Without
With
+5.9%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 8m
Avg Prosecution
28 currently pending
Career history
958
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
1.7%
-38.3% vs TC avg
§103
63.4%
+23.4% vs TC avg
§102
26.7%
-13.3% vs TC avg
§112
2.8%
-37.2% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 925 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 . 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)(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. Claim(s) 1-6 and 8-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Yu et al. (EP 4262122 A1). In regards to claims 1 and 15, Yu et al. (EP 4262122 A1) teaches, a method comprising: receiving, by a wireless communication device from a wireless communication node, a message that includes an indication, wherein the indication is to indicate a plurality of demodulation reference signal (DMRS) ports associated with an orthogonal cover code (OCC) (see paragraphs 339-344 figure 26, step s410; network device sends indication information to the terminal device; see paragraph 117; A DMRS position in frequency domain is determined based on the two configuration types. The configuration type 1 uses a comb plus orthogonal cover code (orthogonal cover code, OCC) structure, and the configuration type 2 uses a frequency division plus OCC structure. The configuration type 1 and the configuration type 2 may each correspond to a single-symbol (single-symbol) case and a double-symbol (double-symbol) case) having a length of 4 in one code division multiplex (CDM) group (see tables 1 and 2), mapping on a plurality of non-continuous resources (see figures 2, 13 and 14 for examples of the CDM groups having non continuous resources), wherein the plurality of non-continuous resources comprise: two groups of resource elements comprised in the plurality of non-continuous resources, wherein the two groups of resource elements are non-continuous with respect to each other over one OFDM symbol, each of the two groups of resource elements comprising two resource elements (see figure 2, configuration type 1 single symbol; this shows non-continuous over one symbol): or four resource elements comprised in the plurality of non-continuous resources, wherein the four resource elements are non-continuous with respect to each other over one OFDM symbol (see figure 2, configuration type 2 double symbol; this shows non-continuous over one symbol), and wherein: when a DMRS is over single orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol, the plurality of DMRS ports in the one CDM group has up to 4 DMRS ports over 4 resource elements (REs) (see figure 2, configuration type 2, single symbol): and when a DMRS is over two continuous OFDM symbols, the plurality of DMRS ports in the one CDM group has up to 8 DMRS ports over 8 REs (see figure 2, configuration type 2, double symbol). In regards to claims 2 and 16, Yu teaches, comprising: receiving, by the wireless communication device from the wireless communication node, the DMRS that is modulated according to a length of the OCC (see table 1 on page 11, the correspondence between an index of the DMRS port, a CDM group and OCC code). In regards to claims 3 and 17, Yu teaches, comprising: transmitting, by the wireless communication device to the wireless communication node, the DMRS that is modulated according to a length of the OCC (see table 1 on page 11, the correspondence between an index of the DMRS port, a CDM group and OCC code). In regards to claims 4 and 18, Yu teaches, comprising: modulating, by the wireless communication device based on the indication, the plurality of DMRS ports according to the OCC having the length of 4, in the one CDM group; and mapping, by the wireless communication device, the modulated plurality of DMRS ports associated with the OCC in the one CDM group on the plurality of non-continuous resources, wherein the plurality of non-continuous resources comprises the two groups of resource elements that are non-continuous with respect to each other (see figure 2, configuration type 2 single symbol where each CDM group has two groups of resource elements that are non-continuous with respect to each other). In regards to claims 5 and 19, Yu teaches, wherein resources in each of the at least two groups of resource elements are continuous with respect to each other, the resources comprising the two resource elements (see figure 2, configuration type 2 single symbol where each CDM group has two groups of resource elements that are non-continuous with respect to each other and each group has two REs that are continuous). In regards to claim 6, Yu teaches, wherein the OCC, when having a length of 4, comprises at least one of: [1,1,1,1]; [1,1,-1,-1]; [1,-1,1,-1]; or [1,-1,-1,1] (see table 1). In regards to claims 8 and 9, Yu teaches, wherein for DMRS type-1 over one orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol of the DMRS, a code division multiplex (CDM) CDM group is mapped across at least two resource blocks (RBs) and wherein the at least two RBs include at least two continuous physical RBs (see figure 2, configuration type 1 double-symbol). In regards to claim 10, Yu teaches, wherein for DMRS type-1 over one orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol of the DMRS, a number of scheduled resource blocks (RBs) for one continuous scheduling over frequency domain is even (see figure 2, every CDM group have even number of resource blocks in the frequency domain). In regards to claim 11, Yu teaches, wherein the indication is conveyed to the wireless communication device by at least one of a radio resource control (RRC) signaling or a downlink control information (DCI) signaling (see paragraph 340; The indication information indicates a scheduled DMRS port, or the indication information indicates a DMRS port configured by the network device. For example, the indication information may be sent by using DCI). In regards to claim 12, Yu teaches, the indication of the plurality of DMRS ports is conveyed by the DCI signaling, by one bit on a field (see paragraph 246; a value of M may be indicated by one bit in the DCI. For example, when a bit value is 0, it indicates that N=4; or when a bit value is 1, it indicates that N=8). In regards to claim 13, Yu teaches, wherein the RRC signaling configures: an enable of the DMRS ports to apply the OCC in the one CDM group mapping on the plurality of non-continuous resources (see paragraph 231; a value of N may be configured by using radio resource control (radio resource control, RRC) signaling or downlink control information (downlink control information, DCI). Alternatively, a value set may be configured by using RRC signaling, and a specific value of N in the value set is indicated by DCI. For example, different values of N are indicated by different status values of a field. For example, if the value set configured by using the RRC signaling is {4, 8}, a value of M may be indicated by one bit in the DCI. For example, when a bit value is 0, it indicates that N=4; or when a bit value is 1, it indicates that N=8). In regards to claims 14 and 20, Yu teaches, a method comprising: determining, by a wireless communication node, an indication of a plurality of demodulation reference signal (DMRS) ports associated with an orthogonal cover code (OCC) (see paragraphs 339-344 figure 26, step s410; network device sends indication information to the terminal device; see paragraph 117; A DMRS position in frequency domain is determined based on the two configuration types. The configuration type 1 uses a comb plus orthogonal cover code (orthogonal cover code, OCC) structure, and the configuration type 2 uses a frequency division plus OCC structure. The configuration type 1 and the configuration type 2 may each correspond to a single-symbol (single-symbol) case and a double-symbol (double-symbol) case) having a length of 4 in one code division multiplex (CDM) group (see tables 1 and 2), mapping on a plurality of non-continuous resources (see figures 2, 13 and 14 for examples of the CDM groups having non continuous resources); and transmitting, by the wireless communication node to a wireless communication device, a message that includes the indications wherein the plurality of non-continuous resources comprise: two groups of resource elements comprised in the plurality of non-continuous resources, wherein the two groups of resource elements are non-continuous with respect to each other over one OFDM symbol, each of the two groups of resource elements comprising two resource elements (see figure 2, configuration type 1 single symbol; this shows non-continuous over one symbol); or four resource elements comprised in the plurality of non-continuous resources, wherein the four resource elements are non-continuous with respect to each other over one OFDM symbol (see figure 2, configuration type 2 double symbol; this shows non-continuous over one symbol), and wherein: when a DMRS is over single orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol, the plurality of DMRS ports in the one CDM group has up to 4 DMRS ports over 4 resource elements (REs) (see figure 2, configuration type 2, single symbol); and when a DMRS is over two continuous OFDM symbols, the plurality of DMRS ports in the one CDM group has up to 8 DMRS ports over 8 REs (see figure 2, configuration type 2, double symbol). Response to Arguments Applicant’s arguments filed on 12/23/2025 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument. 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. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JAY P PATEL whose telephone number is (571)272-3086. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9:30-6. 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. /JAY P PATEL/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2466
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Prosecution Timeline

Nov 22, 2023
Application Filed
Nov 19, 2025
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102
Dec 23, 2025
Response Filed
Mar 31, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §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

3-4
Expected OA Rounds
84%
Grant Probability
90%
With Interview (+5.9%)
2y 8m (~1m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
PTA Risk
Based on 925 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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