Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 25, 2026
Application No. 18/694,289

TECHNIQUES FOR TRANSMITTING TWO-PART UPLINK CONTROL INFORMATION FOR GROUP-BASED BEAM REPORTING

Non-Final OA §102§Other
Filed
Mar 21, 2024
Priority
Nov 05, 2021 — nonprovisional of PCTCN2021128881
Examiner
HAQUE, ABUSAYEED M
Art Unit
2466
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
Qualcomm Incorporated
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
92%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
4m
Est. Remaining
89%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 92% — above average
92%
Career Allowance Rate
584 granted / 637 resolved
+33.7% vs TC avg
Minimal -3% lift
Without
With
+-2.7%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 5m
Avg Prosecution
24 currently pending
Career history
661
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
3.6%
-36.4% vs TC avg
§103
43.9%
+3.9% vs TC avg
§102
29.8%
-10.2% vs TC avg
§112
9.9%
-30.1% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 637 resolved cases

Office Action

§102 §Other
DETAILED ACTION This office action is a response to an application filed on 03/21/2024, in which claims 1-30 are pending and ready for examination. Priority Applicant’s claim for the benefit of a prior-filed application under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) or under 35 U.S.C. 120, 121, 365(c), or 386(c) is acknowledged. 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 1,4-5, 6-10, 12-13, 16-20, 22 and 24-25 are rejected under 35 U.S.C 102 (a) (2) as being anticipated by HOA et al. (hereinafter, “HOA”; CN 113454926). (For citation purpose, the examiner has used English translation of CN113454926. The English translation and the original copy describe the same innovation. The publication date for the CN113454926 is Sep/28/2021; therefore, it qualifies as a prior art under 35 U.S.C 102 (a) (2)). In response to claim 1, HOA teaches a method of wireless communication performed by a user equipment (UE), comprising: receiving, from a base station associated with multiple transmit-receive points, a plurality of reference signals associated with a plurality of beam groups (page 6, paragraph 2, one or more base station (collectively referred BS110) is read as using multiple transmit-receive point, and using a base station associate with the multiple transmit-receive point, user equipment is equated to a UE, page 7, paragraph 2, broadcasting CSI-RS by base station (BS 110) is read as receiving a plurality of reference signal from multiple base stations, page 9,paragraph 3, subset of beams in W1 matrix is equated to plurality of beam groups, using PMI consist of subset of beams (W1 matrix) with CSI report is interpreted as the reference signal is associated with plurality of beams groups); and transmitting, to the base station, a channel state information (CSI) report that includes a group-based beam report indicating beam measurements associated with the plurality of reference signals (page 9, paragraph 2, reporting CSI by the UE explicitly teaches this limitation), wherein the CSI report includes a first uplink control information (UCI) and a second UCI that is transmitted separately from the first UCI (page 11, last paragraph to page 12, first paragraph, part 1 of UCI and part 2 of UCI are equated to separate UCI, using part 1 of UCI report for reporting non-zero coefficient of CSI and using part 2 of UCI for reporting other coefficient of CSI explicitly teaches this limitation, page 12, first paragraph, not reporting greater than K0 non-coefficient CSI by the UE as a maximum number is read as the UCI part 1 and UCI part 2 are reported separately). In response to claim 4 and 14, HOA teaches wherein the first UCI is transmitted in an entirety before the second UCI is transmitted (page 12, first paragraph, not reporting greater than K0 non-coefficient CSI by the UE as a maximum number explicitly teaches this limitation). In response to claim 5, 15 HOA teaches wherein the CSI report is transmitted in a physical uplink control channel or in a physical uplink shared channel (page 7, last paragraph, reporting control information via a PUCCH is read as the CSI report is transmitted in a physical uplink control channel). In response to claim 11, HOA teaches a method of wireless communication performed by a base station (page 6, paragraph 2, one or more base station (collectively referred BS110) is read as using a base station), comprising: transmitting, to a user equipment (UE), a plurality of reference signals associated with a plurality of beam groups (page 7, paragraph 2, broadcasting CSI-RS by base station (BS 110) is read as receiving a plurality of reference signal from multiple base stations, page 9,paragraph 3, subset of beams in W1 matrix is equated to plurality of beam groups, using PMI consist of subset of beams (W1 matrix) with CSI report is interpreted as the reference signal is associated with plurality of beams groups); and receiving, from the UE, a channel state information (CSI) report that includes a group-based beam report indicating beam measurements associated with the plurality of reference signals (page 9, paragraph 2, reporting CSI by the UE explicitly teaches this limitation), wherein the CSI report includes a first uplink control information (UCI) and a second UCI that is received separately from the first UCI (page 11, last paragraph to page 12, first paragraph, part 1 of UCI and part 2 of UCI are equated to separate UCI, using part 1 of UCI report for reporting non-zero coefficient of CSI and using part 2 of UCI for reporting other coefficient of CSI explicitly teaches this limitation, page 12, first paragraph, not reporting greater than K0 non-coefficient CSI by the UE as a maximum number is read as the UCI part 1 and UCI part 2 are reported separately). In response to claim 21, HOA teaches an apparatus for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), comprising: a memory; and one or more processors, coupled to the memory (page 23, paragraph 3 teaches about using a processor, page 24, paragraph 1 teaches about using a memory), configured to: receive, from a base station associated with multiple transmit-receive points, a plurality of reference signals associated with a plurality of beam groups; and transmit, to the base station, a channel state information (CSI) report that includes a group-based beam report indicating beam measurements associated with the plurality of reference signals, wherein the CSI report includes a first uplink control information (UCI) and a second UCI that is transmitted separately from the first UCI (these limitations are identical to claim 1, therefore, these limitations are rejected as claim 1). In response to claim 23, HOA teaches wherein the one or more processors, to transmit the CSI report that includes the first UCI and the second UCI, are configured to transmit the first UCI in an entirety before the second UCI is transmitted (page 11, last paragraph to page 12, first paragraph, part 1 of UCI and part 2 of UCI are equated to separate UCI, using part 1 of UCI report for reporting non-zero coefficient of CSI and using part 2 of UCI for reporting other coefficient of CSI explicitly transmit the CSI report that includes the first UCI and the second UCI, page 12, first paragraph, not reporting greater than K0 non-coefficient CSI by the UE as a maximum number is read as the UCI part 1 and UCI part 2 are reported separately). In response to claim 26, HOA teaches an apparatus for wireless communication at a base station, comprising: a memory; and one or more processors, coupled to the memory, configured to (page 23, paragraph 3 teaches about using a processor, page 24, paragraph 1 teaches about using a memory): transmit, to a user equipment (UE), a plurality of reference signals associated with a plurality of beam groups; and receive, from the UE, a channel state information (CSI) report that includes a group-based beam report indicating beam measurements associated with the plurality of reference signals, wherein the CSI report includes a first uplink control information (UCI) and a second UCI that is received separately from the first UCI (these limitations are identical to claim 11, therefore, these limitations are rejected as claim 11). In response to claim 28, HOA teaches wherein the one or more processors, to receive the CSI report that includes the first UCI and the second UCI, are configured to receive the first UCI in an entirety before the second UCI is transmitted (page 11, last paragraph to page 12, first paragraph, part 1 of UCI and part 2 of UCI are equated to separate UCI, using part 1 of UCI report for reporting non-zero coefficient of CSI and using part 2 of UCI for reporting other coefficient of CSI explicitly transmit the CSI report that includes the first UCI and the second UCI, page 12, first paragraph, not reporting greater than K0 non-coefficient CSI by the UE as a maximum number is read as the UCI part 1 and UCI part 2 are reported separately). Allowable Subject Matter Claims 2-3, 6-10, 12-13, 16-20, 22, 24-25, 27 and 29-30 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. As for dependent claims 2 and 12, these claims are objected, because there is no prior art in the record that teaches claimed limitation “wherein the CSI report includes the first UCI and the second UCI based at least in part on a maximum number of beam groups configured in a CSI report configuration received from the base station.” The closest prior art in the record HOA et al. (CN 113454926) teaches in on paragraph 2 about broadcasting CSI-RS by base station (BS 110),he teaches on page 9,paragraph 3 about using a subset of beams in W1 matrix is equated to plurality of beam groups, using PMI consist of subset of beams (W1 matrix) with CSI report is interpreted as the reference signal is associated with plurality of beams groups, he teaches on page 9, paragraph 2 about transmitting, to the base station, a channel state information (CSI) report that includes a group-based beam report indicating beam measurements associated with the plurality of reference signals, he teaches from page 11, last paragraph to page 12, first paragraph about using different parts of UCI for reporting the CSI, but he fails to teach the above cited limitation. As for dependent claims 3 and 13, these claims are objected, because there is no prior art in the record that teaches claimed limitation “wherein the CSI report includes the first UCI and the second UCI based at least in part on a dedicated radio resource control (RRC) indication received from the base station, wherein the dedicated RRC indication indicates a two- part UCI.” The closest prior art in the record HOA et al. (CN 113454926) teaches in on paragraph 2 about broadcasting CSI-RS by base station (BS 110),he teaches on page 9,paragraph 3 about using a subset of beams in W1 matrix is equated to plurality of beam groups, using PMI consist of subset of beams (W1 matrix) with CSI report is interpreted as the reference signal is associated with plurality of beams groups, he teaches on page 9, paragraph 2 about transmitting, to the base station, a channel state information (CSI) report that includes a group-based beam report indicating beam measurements associated with the plurality of reference signals, he teaches from page 11, last paragraph to page 12, first paragraph about using different parts of UCI for reporting the CSI, but he fails to teach the above cited limitation. As for dependent claims 6, 16, 24 and 29, these claims are objected, because there is no prior art in the record that teaches claimed limitation “wherein: the first UCI indicates a number of beam groups reported in the CSI report; and the second UCI indicates beam indexes and layer 1 (L1) metrics for reported beam groups.” The closest prior art in the record HOA et al. (CN 113454926) teaches in on paragraph 2 about broadcasting CSI-RS by base station (BS 110),he teaches on page 9,paragraph 3 about using a subset of beams in W1 matrix is equated to plurality of beam groups, using PMI consist of subset of beams (W1 matrix) with CSI report is interpreted as the reference signal is associated with plurality of beams groups, he teaches on page 9, paragraph 2 about transmitting, to the base station, a channel state information (CSI) report that includes a group-based beam report indicating beam measurements associated with the plurality of reference signals, he teaches from page 11, last paragraph to page 12, first paragraph about using different parts of UCI for reporting the CSI, but he fails to teach the above cited limitation. Claims 7 and 17 are objected because these claims depend on claims 6 and 16. As for dependent claims 8, 18, 25 and 30, these claims are objected, because there is no prior art in the record that teaches claimed limitation “wherein: the first UCI indicates a fixed number of beam groups reported in the CSI report and a number of remaining beam groups reported in the CSI report; and the second UCI indicates beam indexes and layer 1 (L1) metrics for the number of remaining beam groups reported in the CSI report.” The closest prior art in the record HOA et al. (CN 113454926) teaches in on paragraph 2 about broadcasting CSI-RS by base station (BS 110),he teaches on page 9,paragraph 3 about using a subset of beams in W1 matrix is equated to plurality of beam groups, using PMI consist of subset of beams (W1 matrix) with CSI report is interpreted as the reference signal is associated with plurality of beams groups, he teaches on page 9, paragraph 2 about transmitting, to the base station, a channel state information (CSI) report that includes a group-based beam report indicating beam measurements associated with the plurality of reference signals, he teaches from page 11, last paragraph to page 12, first paragraph about using different parts of UCI for reporting the CSI, but he fails to teach the above cited limitation. Claims 9 and 19 are objected because these claims depend on claims 8 and 18. As for dependent claims 10 and 20, these claims are objected, because there is no prior art in the record that teaches claimed limitation “wherein the CSI report is transmitted in accordance with a CSI priority based at least in part on multiple CSI reports being scheduled in a same UCI transmission occasion, wherein the CSI priority is relative to a single-part group- based beam report.” The closest prior art in the record HOA et al. (CN 113454926) teaches in on paragraph 2 about broadcasting CSI-RS by base station (BS 110),he teaches on page 9,paragraph 3 about using a subset of beams in W1 matrix is equated to plurality of beam groups, using PMI consist of subset of beams (W1 matrix) with CSI report is interpreted as the reference signal is associated with plurality of beams groups, he teaches on page 9, paragraph 2 about transmitting, to the base station, a channel state information (CSI) report that includes a group-based beam report indicating beam measurements associated with the plurality of reference signals, he teaches from page 11, last paragraph to page 12, first paragraph about using different parts of UCI for reporting the CSI, but he fails to teach the above cited limitation. As for dependent claims 22 and 27, these claims are objected, because there is no prior art in the record that teaches claimed limitation “wherein: the CSI report includes the first UCI and the second UCI based at least in part on a maximum number of beam groups configured in a CSI report configuration received from the base station; or the CSI report includes the first UCI and the second UCI based at least in part on a dedicated radio resource control (RRC) indication received from the base station, wherein the dedicated RRC indication indicates a two-part UCI.” The closest prior art in the record HOA et al. (CN 113454926) teaches in on paragraph 2 about broadcasting CSI-RS by base station (BS 110),he teaches on page 9,paragraph 3 about using a subset of beams in W1 matrix is equated to plurality of beam groups, using PMI consist of subset of beams (W1 matrix) with CSI report is interpreted as the reference signal is associated with plurality of beams groups, he teaches on page 9, paragraph 2 about transmitting, to the base station, a channel state information (CSI) report that includes a group-based beam report indicating beam measurements associated with the plurality of reference signals, he teaches from page 11, last paragraph to page 12, first paragraph about using different parts of UCI for reporting the CSI, but he fails to teach the above cited limitation. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. WO2021032265………………paragraph 114. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ABUSAYEED HAQUE whose telephone number is (571)270-7252. The examiner can normally be reached 9 am -7:30 pm. 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. /ABUSAYEED M HAQUE/ Examiner, Art Unit 2466 /CHRISTOPHER M CRUTCHFIELD/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2466
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Mar 21, 2024
Application Filed
Apr 03, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §102, §Other (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12610351
RESOURCE ALLOCATION IN RADIO COMMUNICATIONS
2y 9m to grant Granted Apr 21, 2026
Patent 12604327
COMMUNICATION DEVICE AND COMMUNICATION METHOD
2y 11m to grant Granted Apr 14, 2026
Patent 12598044
PDCCH MONITORING METHOD, PDCCH SENDING METHOD, AND RELATED DEVICE
3y 3m to grant Granted Apr 07, 2026
Patent 12598026
SENSING METHOD AND COMMUNICATION APPARATUS
2y 6m to grant Granted Apr 07, 2026
Patent 12592805
COMMUNICATION METHOD AND APPARATUS
2y 8m to grant Granted Mar 31, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

Strategy Recommendation AI-generated — please review before filing

Get a prosecution strategy drawn from examiner precedents, rejection analysis, and claim mapping.
Typically takes 5-10 seconds — AI-generated, attorney review required before filing

Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
92%
Grant Probability
89%
With Interview (-2.7%)
2y 5m (~4m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 637 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

Sign in with your work email

Enter your email to receive a magic link. No password needed.

Personal email addresses (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.) are not accepted.

Free tier: 3 strategy analyses per month