Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/556,052

COMMUNICATION DEVICE AND COMMUNICATION METHOD

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
Oct 18, 2023
Examiner
MARCELO, MELVIN C
Art Unit
2463
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
Panasonic Intellectual Property Corporation of America
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

§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 Claims 1-14 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 3-5, recites “a case in which a plurality of sections in a time-domain resource allocated for the transmission of the signal includes a second section and a case in which the plurality of sections does not include the second section.” The claim language is confusing since a plurality of sections by definition is two or more sections. Thus, it is not clear what is the claimed subject matter since “a second section” is always included in “a plurality of sections.” Claim 12, lines 3-5, recites “a case in which a plurality of sections in a time-domain resource allocated for the transmission of the signal includes a second section and a case in which the plurality of sections does not include the second section.” The claim language is confusing since a plurality of sections by definition is two or more sections. Thus, it is not clear what is the claimed subject matter since “a second section” is always included in “a plurality of sections.” Claim 13, lines 3-5, recites “a case in which a plurality of sections in a time-domain resource allocated for the transmission of the signal includes a second section and a case in which the plurality of sections does not include the second section.” The claim language is confusing since a plurality of sections by definition is two or more sections. Thus, it is not clear what is the claimed subject matter since “a second section” is always included in “a plurality of sections.” Claim 14, lines 3-5, recites “a case in which a plurality of sections in a time-domain resource allocated for the transmission of the signal includes a second section and a case in which the plurality of sections does not include the second section.” The claim language is confusing since a plurality of sections by definition is two or more sections. Thus, it is not clear what is the claimed subject matter since “a second section” is always included in “a plurality of sections.” Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Zhou et al. (WO 2020/046802 A1) teaches SRS Spatial Relations Reconfiguration for a plurality of PUSCH Slots in Figure 7. Bhamri et al. (US 2023/0232380 A1) teach a plurality of slots which can include a plurality of repetition slots in Figures 6-7. 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 January 10, 2026
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Prosecution Timeline

Oct 18, 2023
Application Filed
Jan 10, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §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
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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