Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/692,047

Control Channel Monitoring based on Hybrid ARQ Considerations

Non-Final OA §102
Filed
Mar 14, 2024
Examiner
MOUTAOUAKIL, MOUNIR
Art Unit
2476
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ)
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
81%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
3y 0m
To Grant
98%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 81% — above average
81%
Career Allow Rate
505 granted / 625 resolved
+22.8% vs TC avg
Strong +17% interview lift
Without
With
+16.8%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 0m
Avg Prosecution
31 currently pending
Career history
656
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
6.2%
-33.8% vs TC avg
§103
51.6%
+11.6% vs TC avg
§102
22.0%
-18.0% vs TC avg
§112
12.7%
-27.3% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 625 resolved cases

Office Action

§102
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 . 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)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention. Claims 36-55 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Apple (Enhanced DCI-based power saving adaptation). Regarding claims 36, 45 and 52-55, Apple discloses a method for a user equipment (UE) configured to operate in a radio access network (RAN), the method comprising: receiving, from a RAN node, a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) monitoring configuration that includes respective parameters for a plurality of PDCCH monitoring states, including first and second PDCCH monitoring states (see at least sections 21.1-2.2); while operating in the first PDCCH monitoring state, receiving from the RAN node an indication of the second PDCCH monitoring state; entering the second PDCCH monitoring state upon receiving the indication (see at least section 2.2); receiving and attempting to decode a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) transmission from the RAN node; selectively exiting the second PDCCH monitoring state based on whether decoding of the PDSCH transmission was successful, wherein the selectively exiting comprises: remaining in the second PDCCH monitoring state in response to the decoding of the PDSCH transmission being successful; and exiting the second PDCCH monitoring state and entering the first PDCCH monitoring state in response to the PDSCH decoding being unsuccessful (see at least section 2.4). Regarding claims 37 and 46. Apple discloses a method wherein: the indication is received in downlink control information (DCI); and the DCI also includes scheduling information for the PDSCH transmission (see at least section 2.4). Regarding claims 38 and 47. Apple discloses a method wherein the first PDCCH monitoring state is a default PDCCH monitoring state (see at least section 2.1). Regarding claims 39 and 48. Apple discloses a method wherein the PDCCH monitoring configuration is applicable to one of the following: only the cell in which the PDCCH monitoring configuration was received; or a plurality of cells served by the RAN node, including the cell in which the PDCCH monitoring configuration was received (see at least section 2.2). Regarding claims 40 and 49. Apple discloses a method wherein the parameters for each of the PDCCH monitoring states includes one or more of the following: a skipping duration to refrain from PDCCH monitoring; and a search space set group (SSSG) to use for PDCCH monitoring (see at least section 2.1). Regarding claims 41 and 50. Apple discloses a method further comprising transmitting hybrid ARQ (HARQ) feedback having a value that indicates whether the decoding of the PDSCH transmission was successful or unsuccessful (see at least section 2.4). Regarding claim 42. Apple discloses a method wherein exiting the second PDCCH monitoring state and entering the first PDCCH monitoring state occurs a predetermined delay after transmitting the HARQ feedback (see at least section 2.3). Regarding claim 43. Apple discloses a method wherein entering the first PDCCH monitoring state occurs at the first symbol of the first slot after transmitting the HARQ feedback (see at least section 2.1). Regarding claim 44. Apple discloses a method wherein the second PDCCH monitoring state includes a skipping duration; and remaining in the second PDCCH monitoring state is until the end of the skipping duration; and selectively exiting the second PDCCH monitoring state further comprises, at the end of the skipping duration, exiting the second PDCCH monitoring state and entering the first PDCCH monitoring state (see at least sections 2.3-2.4). Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. See PTO_892. In the case of amending the claimed invention, Applicant is respectfully requested to indicate the portion(s) of the specification which dictate(s) the structure relied on for proper interpretation and also to verify and ascertain the metes and bounds of the claimed invention. When responding to this office action, applicants are advised to clearly point out the patentable novelty which they think the claims present in view of the state of the art disclosed by the references cited or the objections made. Applicants must also show how the amendments avoid such references or objections. See 37C.F.R 1.111(c). In addition, applicants are advised to provide the examiner with the line numbers and pages numbers in the application and/or references cited to assist examiner in locating the appropriate paragraphs. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to MOUNIR MOUTAOUAKIL whose telephone number is (571)270-1416. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 10AM-4PM EST. 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, Ayaz Sheikh can be reached at 571-272-3795. 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. /MOUNIR MOUTAOUAKIL/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2476
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Mar 14, 2024
Application Filed
Mar 05, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §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

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
81%
Grant Probability
98%
With Interview (+16.8%)
3y 0m
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 625 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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