Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 02, 2026
Application No. 18/593,143

DECIMATED REFERENCE SIGNALING FOR EQUALIZATION

Non-Final OA §103
Filed
Mar 01, 2024
Examiner
HO, CHUONG T
Art Unit
2412
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
Qualcomm Incorporated
OA Round
2 (Non-Final)
92%
Grant Probability
Favorable
2-3
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 92% — above average
92%
Career Allowance Rate
952 granted / 1041 resolved
+33.5% vs TC avg
Moderate +13% lift
Without
With
+13.0%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 6m
Avg Prosecution
31 currently pending
Career history
1070
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
4.5%
-35.5% vs TC avg
§103
73.9%
+33.9% vs TC avg
§102
4.0%
-36.0% vs TC avg
§112
6.7%
-33.3% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1041 resolved cases

Office Action

§103
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 . This office action is in response to the amendment filed 07/21/2026. Claims 1-11, 12-16, 17-20 are pending. Response to Arguments Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) 1-11, 12-16, 17-20 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. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 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 (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) 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 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action: A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made. Claim(s) 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Krakowski et al. ( US 20220321384, hereinafter, Krakowski’s 384 ) in view of HOSSEINI et al. ( US 20170332369, hereinafter, HOSSEINI’s 369 ). Regarding to the claim 12, Cui’s 096 teaches output, to a user equipment (UE), a set of reference signals via a channel (a set of DMRSs) [see Figure 2 and Paragraphs 0007 & 0010 & 0011 & 0012] [also see the paragraphs 0022 & 0029 & 0041 & 0046 & 0047& 0064 & 0089 ] ; output, to the UE via the channel, a signal for equalization based at least in part on a decimation of the set of reference signals ( DMRS MIMO Channel Estimation + MIMO Equalization ) [see Figure 2 and Paragraphs 0007 & 0010 & 0011 & 0012] [also see the paragraphs 0022 & 0029 & 0041 & 0046 & 0047& 0064 & 0089 ] ; and obtain, from the UE, an indication of the decimation of the set of reference signals [see Figure 2 and Paragraphs 0007 & 0010 & 0011 & 0012] [also see the paragraphs 0022 & 0029 & 0041 & 0046 & 0047& 0064 & 0089 ] . However, Krakowski’s 384 does not explicitly teach the network entity. HOSSEINI’s 369 , from the same or similar fields of endeavor, teaches the network entity (base station) output, to a user equipment (UE), a set of reference signals via a channel [see Paragraphs 0075 & 0077 & 0079 & 0082 & 0093]. Thus, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing data of the claimed invention to modify the system of Krakowski’s 384 in view of HOSSEINI’s 369 because HOSSEINI’s 369 suggests that in wireless communication systems employing legacy LTE, a plurality of UEs served by a particular eNodeB may be scheduled resources for communicating with the eNodeB over one or more channels using transmission time intervals (TTI) on the order of a 1 millisecond subframe. As UE capabilities and demand for bandwidth increases, lower latency in communications may be desired. Regarding to the claim 13, Krakowski’s 384 further teaches output, to the UE, a request for an indication of a capability of the UE to decimate the set of reference signals; and obtain, from the UE, the indication of the capability of the UE to decimate the set of reference signals [ Paragraphs 0007 & 0010 & 0011 & 0012] [also see the paragraphs 0022 & 0029 & 0041 & 0046 & 0047& 0064 & 0089 ]. Regarding to the claim 14, Krakowski’s 384 further teaches output, to the UE, a request for the indication of the decimation, wherein the indication of the decimation is obtained in response to the request [ Paragraphs 0007 & 0010 & 0011 & 0012] [also see the paragraphs 0022 & 0029 & 0041 & 0046 & 0047& 0064 & 0089 ]. Regarding to the claim 15, Krakowski’s 384 further teaches determine, based at least in part on the indication of the decimation, a quantity for a second set of reference signals [ Paragraphs 0007 & 0010 & 0011 & 0012] [also see the paragraphs 0022 & 0029 & 0041 & 0046 & 0047& 0064 & 0089 ]. Regarding to the claim 16, Krakowski’s 384 further teaches output, to the UE, a second quantity of the second set of reference signals, wherein the second quantity is different from a first quantity of the set of reference signals, wherein the second quantity is based at least in part on the quantity [ Paragraphs 0007 & 0010 & 0011 & 0012] [also see the paragraphs 0022 & 0029 & 0041 & 0046 & 0047& 0064 & 0089 ]. Claim(s) 1, 2-4, 6-8, 17, 18-20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Krakowski et al. ( US 20220321384, hereinafter, Krakowski’s 384 ) in view of HOSSEINI et al. ( US 20170332369, hereinafter, HOSSEINI’s 369 ). Regarding to the claim 1, Krakowski’s 384 teaches a user equipment (UE), comprising: one or more memories storing processor-executable code; 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: receive a set of reference signals via a channel to generate a set of channel estimates (receiving a set of DMRSs via a channel to generate a set of channel estimates ) [see Figure 2 and Paragraphs 0007 & 0010 & 0011 & 0012] [also see the paragraphs 0022 & 0029 & 0041 & 0046 & 0047& 0064 & 0089 ], each channel estimate of the set of channel estimates respectively corresponding to a reference signal of the set of reference signals (each channel estimate of the set of channel estimates respectively corresponding to DMRSs) [see Figure 2 and Paragraphs 0007 & 0010 & 0011 & 0012] [also see the paragraphs 0022 & 0029 & 0041 & 0046 & 0047& 0064 & 0089 ]; receive a signal via the channel [see Figure 2 and Paragraphs 0007 & 0010 & 0011 & 0012] [also see the paragraphs 0022 & 0029 & 0041 & 0046 & 0047& 0064 & 0089 ]; generate an equalized signal from the signal using an equalizer that is based at least in part on a decimation of the set of reference signals (generate an equalized signal from the signal using an equalizer that is based at least in part on a decimation of the DMRSs) [see Figure 2 and Paragraphs 0007 & 0010 & 0011 & 0012] [also see the paragraphs 0022 & 0029 & 0041 & 0046 & 0047& 0064 & 0089 ], transmit an indication of the decimation [see Figure 2 and Paragraphs 0007 & 0010 & 0011 & 0012] [also see the paragraphs 0022 & 0029 & 0041 & 0046 & 0047& 0064 & 0089 ]. However, Krakowski’s 384 does not explicitly teach wherein a degree of the decimation is based at least in part on the set of channel estimates. HOSSEINI’s 369, from the same or similar fields of endeavor, teaches the UE to: receive, from a network entity, a set of reference signals via a channel to generate a set of channel estimates, each channel estimate of the set of channel estimates respectively corresponding to a reference signal of the set of reference signals [see Figure 8 and Paragraphs 0075 & 0077 & 0079 & 0082 & 0093]; wherein a degree of the decimation is based at least in part on the set of channel estimates [see Figure 8 and Paragraphs 0075 & 0077 & 0079 & 0082 & 0093]; and transmit an indication of the decimation to the network entity [see Figure 8 and Paragraphs 0075 & 0077 & 0079 & 0082 & 0093]. Thus, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing data of the claimed invention to modify the system of Krakowski’s 384 in view of HOSSEINI’s 369 because HOSSEINI’s 369 suggests that in wireless communication systems employing legacy LTE, a plurality of UEs served by a particular eNodeB may be scheduled resources for communicating with the eNodeB over one or more channels using transmission time intervals (TTI) on the order of a 1 millisecond subframe. As UE capabilities and demand for bandwidth increases, lower latency in communications may be desired. Regarding to the claim 2, Krakowski’s 384 further teaches receive, from the network entity, a request for an indication of a capability of the UE to decimate the set of reference signals; and transmit, to the network entity, the indication of the capability of the UE to decimate the set of reference signals [see Figure 2 and Paragraphs 0007 & 0010 & 0011 & 0012] [also see the paragraphs 0022 & 0029 & 0041 & 0046 & 0047& 0064 & 0089 ]. Regarding to the claim 3, Krakowski’s 384 further teaches receive, from the network entity, a request for the indication of the decimation, wherein the indication of the decimation is transmitted in response to the request [see Figure 2 and Paragraphs 0007 & 0010 & 0011 & 0012] [also see the paragraphs 0022 & 0029 & 0041 & 0046 & 0047& 0064 & 0089 ]. Regarding to the claim 4, Krakowski’s 384 further teaches receive, from the network entity, a second quantity of a second set of reference signals, wherein the second quantity is different from a first quantity of the set of reference signals, wherein the second quantity is based at least in part on the indication of the decimation [ see Figure 2 and Paragraphs 0007 & 0010 & 0011 & 0012] [also see the paragraphs 0022 & 0029 & 0041 & 0046 & 0047& 0064 & 0089 ]. Regarding to the claim 6, Krakowski’s 384 further teaches determine the degree of decimation based at least in part on the set of reference signals [ see Figure 2 and Paragraphs 0007 & 0010 & 0011 & 0012] [also see the paragraphs 0022 & 0029 & 0041 & 0046 & 0047& 0064 & 0089 ]. Regarding to the claim 7, Krakowski’s 384 further teaches generate a measure of correlation between at least two channel estimates of the set of channel estimates [ see Figure 2 and Paragraphs 0007 & 0010 & 0011 & 0012] [also see the paragraphs 0022 & 0029 & 0041 & 0046 & 0047& 0064 & 0089 ]. Regarding to the claim 8, Krakowski’s 384 further teaches wherein the measure of correlation comprises a first measure in a time domain, a second measure in a frequency domain, or a combination thereof [ see Figure 2 and Paragraphs 0007 & 0010 & 0011 & 0012] [also see the paragraphs 0022 & 0029 & 0041 & 0046 & 0047& 0064 & 0089 ]. Regarding to the claim 17, Krakowski’s 384 teaches a method for wireless communications at a user equipment (UE), comprising: receiving a set of reference signals via a channel to generate a set of channel estimates (receiving a set of DMRSs via a channel to generate a set of channel estimates ) [see Figure 2 and Paragraphs 0007 & 0010 & 0011 & 0012] [also see the paragraphs 0022 & 0029 & 0041 & 0046 & 0047& 0064 & 0089 ], each channel estimate of the set of channel estimates respectively corresponding to a reference signal of the set of reference signals (each channel estimate of the set of channel estimates respectively corresponding to DMRSs) [see Figure 2 and Paragraphs 0007 & 0010 & 0011 & 0012] [also see the paragraphs 0022 & 0029 & 0041 & 0046 & 0047& 0064 & 0089 ]; receiving a signal via the channel [see Figure 2 and Paragraphs 0007 & 0010 & 0011 & 0012] [also see the paragraphs 0022 & 0029 & 0041 & 0046 & 0047& 0064 & 0089 ]; generating an equalized signal from the signal using an equalizer that is based at least in part on a decimation of the set of reference signals (generate an equalized signal from the signal using an equalizer that is based at least in part on a decimation of the DMRSs) [see Figure 2 and Paragraphs 0007 & 0010 & 0011 & 0012] [also see the paragraphs 0022 & 0029 & 0041 & 0046 & 0047& 0064 & 0089 ], transmitting an indication of the decimation [see Figure 2 and Paragraphs 0007 & 0010 & 0011 & 0012] [also see the paragraphs 0022 & 0029 & 0041 & 0046 & 0047& 0064 & 0089 ]. However, Krakowski’s 384 does not explicitly teach wherein a degree of the decimation is based at least in part on the set of channel estimates. HOSSEINI’s 369, from the same or similar fields of endeavor, teaches the UE to: receiving, from a network entity, a set of reference signals via a channel to generate a set of channel estimates, each channel estimate of the set of channel estimates respectively corresponding to a reference signal of the set of reference signals [see Figure 8 and Paragraphs 0075 & 0077 & 0079 & 0082 & 0093]; wherein a degree of the decimation is based at least in part on the set of channel estimates [see Figure 8 and Paragraphs 0075 & 0077 & 0079 & 0082 & 0093]; and transmitting an indication of the decimation to the network entity [see Figure 8 and Paragraphs 0075 & 0077 & 0079 & 0082 & 0093]. Thus, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing data of the claimed invention to modify the system of Krakowski’s 384 in view of HOSSEINI’s 369 because HOSSEINI’s 369 suggests that in wireless communication systems employing legacy LTE, a plurality of UEs served by a particular eNodeB may be scheduled resources for communicating with the eNodeB over one or more channels using transmission time intervals (TTI) on the order of a 1 millisecond subframe. As UE capabilities and demand for bandwidth increases, lower latency in communications may be desired. Regarding to the claim 18, claim 18 is rejected the same ground, or for the same reasons of claim 2, because both claims have the same claim limitations. Regarding to the claim 19, claim 19 is rejected the same ground, or for the same reasons of claim 3, because both claims have the same claim limitations. Regarding to the claim 20, claim 20 is rejected the same ground, or for the same reasons of claim 4, because both claims have the same claim limitations. Allowable Subject Matter Claim 5 is objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims. The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance: The prior art fails to disclose interpolate the first set of coefficients and the second set of coefficients for a third resource of the channel between the first resource and the second resource to generate a third set of coefficients of the equalizer, wherein a third reference signal corresponding to the third resource is decimated in accordance with the decimation. Claim 9, 10, 11 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims. The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance: The prior art fails to disclose select the degree of decimation based at least in part on at least one threshold applied to the measure of correlation. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to CHUONG T HO whose telephone number is (571)272-3133. The examiner can normally be reached 7:30-4:00. 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, Charles C Jiang can be reached at 571-270-7191. 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. /CHUONG T HO/Examiner, Art Unit 2412
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Mar 01, 2024
Application Filed
May 04, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103
Jul 21, 2026
Response Filed
Sep 23, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103 (current)

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Prosecution Projections

2-3
Expected OA Rounds
92%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+13.0%)
2y 6m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
PTA Risk
Based on 1041 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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