Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/683,685

TERMINAL, RADIO COMMUNICATION METHOD, AND BASE STATION

Non-Final OA §102
Filed
Feb 14, 2024
Examiner
PATEL, CHANDRAHAS B
Art Unit
2464
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
NTT Docomo Inc.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
88%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
2y 8m
To Grant
95%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 88% — above average
88%
Career Allow Rate
780 granted / 885 resolved
+30.1% vs TC avg
Moderate +7% lift
Without
With
+7.3%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 8m
Avg Prosecution
33 currently pending
Career history
918
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
7.1%
-32.9% vs TC avg
§103
37.5%
-2.5% vs TC avg
§102
44.6%
+4.6% vs TC avg
§112
5.0%
-35.0% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 885 resolved cases

Office Action

§102
DETAILED ACTION Specification The lengthy specification has not been checked to the extent necessary to determine the presence of all possible minor errors. Applicant’s cooperation is requested in correcting any errors of which applicant may become aware in the specification. The title of the invention is not descriptive. A new title is required that is clearly indicative of the invention to which the claims are directed. 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. Claims 9-14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Park et al. (US-PGPUB 2020/0383105). Regarding claim 9, Park teaches a terminal comprising: a processor that when a radio resource control (RRC) information element (IE) is not configured, uses, for transmission of a plurality of physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) repetitions, a first scheme for transmitting the plurality of PUCCH repetitions over a plurality of slots, and when the RRC IE is configured, uses, for transmission of the plurality of PUCCH repetitions, a second scheme for transmitting the plurality of PUCCH repetitions over a plurality of sub-slots [Para 238, when RRC IE is not configured such as in rel-15 then the PUCCH repetitions are transmitted in slots and when RRC IE is configure such as in rel-16 then the PUCCH repetitions are transmitted over sub-slots where sub-slots are a unit smaller than the slot described in para 238]; and a transmitter that transmits the plurality of PUCCH repetitions [Para 252, transmitter is used to transmit control information and data in the form of signals including PUCCH repetitions, also see Abstract]. Regarding claim 10, Park teaches the transmitter further transmits capability information indicating support of the second scheme [Para 141-142, capability to transmit PUCCH repetitions in sub-slots is identified]. Regarding claim 11, Park teaches a receiver that receives downlink control information (DCI) indicating a number of repetitions of the plurality of PUCCH repetitions [Para 121, DCI configures PUCCH repetition information]. Regarding claim 12, Park teaches a radio communication method for a terminal, comprising: when a radio resource control (RRC) information element (IE) is not configured, using, for transmission of a plurality of physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) repetitions, a first scheme for transmitting the plurality of PUCCH repetitions over a plurality of slots, and when the RRC IE is configured, using, for transmission of the plurality of PUCCH repetitions, a second scheme for transmitting the plurality of PUCCH repetitions over a plurality of sub-slots [Para 238, when RRC IE is not configured such as in rel-15 then the PUCCH repetitions are transmitted in slots and when RRC IE is configure such as in rel-16 then the PUCCH repetitions are transmitted over sub-slots where sub-slots are a unit smaller than the slot described in para 238]; and transmitting the plurality of PUCCH repetitions [Para 252, transmitter is used to transmit control information and data in the form of signals including PUCCH repetitions, also see Abstract]. Regarding claim 13, Park teaches a base station comprising: a processor that when a radio resource control (RRC) information element (IE) is not configured, uses, for reception of a plurality of physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) repetitions, a first scheme for receiving the plurality of PUCCH repetitions over a plurality of slots, and when the RRC IE is configured, uses, for reception of the plurality of PUCCH repetitions, a second scheme for receiving the plurality of PUCCH repetitions over a plurality of sub-slots [Para 238, when RRC IE is not configured such as in rel-15 then the PUCCH repetitions are transmitted in slots and when RRC IE is configure such as in rel-16 then the PUCCH repetitions are transmitted over sub-slots where sub-slots are a unit smaller than the slot described in para 238]; and a receiver that receives the plurality of PUCCH repetitions [Fig. 12, 1201, receiver receives data and signals from terminal devices]. Regarding claim 14, Park teaches a system comprising a terminal and a base station, wherein the terminal comprises: a processor that when a radio resource control (RRC) information element (IE) is not configured, uses, for transmission of a plurality of physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) repetitions, a first scheme for transmitting the plurality of PUCCH repetitions over a plurality of slots, and when the RRC IE is configured, uses, for transmission of the plurality of PUCCH repetitions, a second scheme for transmitting the plurality of PUCCH repetitions over a plurality of sub-slots [Para 238, when RRC IE is not configured such as in rel-15 then the PUCCH repetitions are transmitted in slots and when RRC IE is configure such as in rel-16 then the PUCCH repetitions are transmitted over sub-slots where sub-slots are a unit smaller than the slot described in para 238]; and a transmitter that transmits the plurality of PUCCH repetitions [Para 252, transmitter is used to transmit control information and data in the form of signals including PUCCH repetitions, also see Abstract], and the base station comprises: a receiver that receives the plurality of PUCCH repetitions [Fig. 12, 1201, receiver receives data and signals from terminal devices]. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Yin (USPN 12,289,169) teaches determining a subslot structure for physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) repetition for ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) transmissions. Park (USPN 12,040,930) teaches receiving configuration information for a number of resources. Mondal et al. (USPN 11,930,479) teaches encoding a time-domain resource allocation list having a time-domain configuration for a PDSCH allocation and a number of PDSCH transmission occasions for a slot-based repetition scheme for transmission to a UE. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to CHANDRAHAS PATEL whose telephone number is (571)270-1211. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Thursday 7:30 - 17:30. 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, Ricky Ngo can be reached at 571-272-3139. 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. /Chandrahas B Patel/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2464
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Feb 14, 2024
Application Filed
Aug 06, 2025
Response after Non-Final Action
Jan 28, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §102 (current)

Precedent Cases

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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
88%
Grant Probability
95%
With Interview (+7.3%)
2y 8m
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 885 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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