Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/694,408

METHOD FOR MONITORING OR SENDING PDCCH, AND DEVICE FOR MONITORING PDCCH

Non-Final OA §103
Filed
Mar 21, 2024
Examiner
LO, DIANE LEE
Art Unit
2466
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO., LTD.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
90%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
2y 3m
To Grant
98%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 90% — above average
90%
Career Allow Rate
842 granted / 941 resolved
+31.5% vs TC avg
Moderate +8% lift
Without
With
+8.5%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 3m
Avg Prosecution
25 currently pending
Career history
966
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
3.7%
-36.3% vs TC avg
§103
50.4%
+10.4% vs TC avg
§102
32.8%
-7.2% vs TC avg
§112
3.0%
-37.0% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 941 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 . DETAILED ACTION This is response to Application 18/694,408 filed on 03/21/24 in which claims 1-16 and 23-26 are presented for examination. 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. Claims 1-16 and 23-26 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Oteri et al. (US 2023/0189305 A1) in view of Yi et al. (US 2022/0304015). 1. Regarding claims 1 and 23, Oteri teaches a method and device for monitoring a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) (Fig. 3 and Paragraphs [0102] to [0104]), comprising: determining, by a user equipment, that a PDCCH monitoring capability for use in a connection state is a multi-slot group PDCCH monitoring capability (Paragraphs [0102] to [0104] UE signals to base station capabilities with regard to multi-slot PDCCH monitoring; RRC establishment). Oteri does not explicitly disclose in response to determining that the user equipment is in the connection state, monitoring, by the user equipment, the PDCCH using the multi-slot group PDCCH monitoring capability. Yi teaches in response to determining that the user equipment is in the connection state, monitoring, by the user equipment, the PDCCH using the multi-slot group PDCCH monitoring capability (Paragraph [0402] to [0404] RRC connection; multi-slot PDCCH monitoring enabled, apply the second BD capability). It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide in response to determining that the user equipment is in the connection state, monitoring, by the user equipment, the PDCCH using the multi-slot group PDCCH monitoring capability as taught by Yi in the system of Oteri for data scheduling in high frequency see title and abstract of Yi. 2. Regarding claims 2 and 24, Oteri in view of Yi teaches, further comprising: in response to determining that the user equipment is in a non-connection state, monitoring, by the user equipment, the PDCCH using a single slot PDCCH monitoring capability (Yi, Paragraph [0402] to [0404] RRC connection; single-slot PDCCH monitoring enabled, apply the first BD capability). 3. Regarding claims 3 and 25, Oteri in view of Yi teaches, wherein determining that the PDCCH monitoring capability for use in the connection state is the multi-slot group PDCCH monitoring capability comprises: determining, according to a protocol, that the PDCCH monitoring capability for use in the connection state is the multi-slot group PDCCH monitoring capability (Yi, Paragraph [0402] to [0404] RRC connection; multi-slot PDCCH monitoring enabled, apply the second BD capability). 4. Regarding claims 4 and 26, Oteri in view of Yi teaches, wherein determining that the PDCCH monitoring capability for use in the connection state is the multi-slot group PDCCH monitoring capability comprises: receiving PDCCH monitoring capability configuration information from a network device, wherein the PDCCH monitoring capability configuration information is configured to indicate that the PDCCH monitoring capability for use in the connection state is the multi-slot group PDCCH monitoring capability (Yi, Paragraph [0402] to [0404] RRC connection; multi-slot PDCCH monitoring enabled, apply the second BD capability). 5. Regarding claim 5, Oteri in view of Yi teaches, wherein determining that the PDCCH monitoring capability for use in the connection state is the multi-slot group PDCCH monitoring capability comprises: sending capability information to a network device (Oteri, Paragraphs [0102] to [0113] UE signals to base station capabilities with regard to multi-slot PDCCH monitoring), wherein the capability information comprises the multi-slot group PDCCH monitoring capability (Oteri, Paragraphs [0107] to [0113] UE signals to base station capabilities with regard to multi-slot PDCCH monitoring). 6. Regarding claim 6, Oteri in view of Yi teaches, further comprising: sending, by the user equipment, at least one group of capability parameters corresponding to the multi-slot group PDCCH monitoring capability to a network device (Oteri, Paragraphs [0107] to [0113] UE signals to base station capabilities with regard to multi-slot PDCCH monitoring; group of slots). 7. Regarding claim 7, Oteri in view of Yi teaches, further comprising: receiving PDCCH monitoring capability configuration information from a network device, wherein the PDCCH monitoring capability configuration information is configured to indicate that the PDCCH monitoring capability for use in the connection state is the multi-slot group PDCCH monitoring capability, and is further configured to indicate a target group of capability parameters (Oteri, Paragraphs [0107] to [0113] UE signals to base station capabilities with regard to multi-slot PDCCH monitoring; group of slots), and wherein the target group of capability parameters is a group among the at least one group of capability parameters (Oteri, Paragraphs [0107] to [0113] UE signals to base station capabilities with regard to multi-slot PDCCH monitoring; group of slots). 8. Regarding claim 8, Oteri in view of Yi teaches,, wherein slots for monitoring the PDCCH corresponding to the target group of capability parameters meet a first condition, and wherein the first condition comprises that a common search space configured within a same multi-slot group and a common search space received by the user equipment in a non-connection state are located in some or all of the slots for monitoring the PDCCH corresponding to the target group of capability parameters of the user equipment (Oteri, Paragraphs [0102] to [0113] UE signals to base station capabilities with regard to multi-slot PDCCH monitoring; CSS). 9. Regarding claim 9, Oteri in view of Yi teaches, wherein each of the at least one group of capability parameters comprises a first value and a second value (Oteri, Paragraphs [0108] to [0110] UE signals to base station capabilities with regard to multi-slot PDCCH monitoring, fixed pattern having a span of Y consecutive time window; signaled according to any appropriate means). 10. Regarding claim 10, Oteri in view of Yi teaches, wherein the first value is configured to indicate a number of slots comprised in each multi-slot group, and the second value is configured to indicate a number of slots for monitoring the PDCCH comprised in each multi-slot group, and wherein respective multi-slot groups are consecutive and do not have an overlapping slot, and positions of slots for monitoring the PDCCH in any two different multi-slot groups are the same (Oteri, Paragraphs [0108] to [0110] UE signals to base station capabilities with regard to multi-slot PDCCH monitoring, fixed pattern having a span of Y consecutive time window; signaled according to any appropriate means). 11. Regarding claim 11, Oteri in view of Yi teaches wherein the first value is configured to indicate a minimum value of a number of slots between two neighbouring multi-slot groups, and the second value is configured to indicate a number of slots for monitoring the PDCCH comprised in each multi-slot group (Oteri, Paragraphs [0108] to [0110] UE signals to base station capabilities with regard to multi-slot PDCCH monitoring, signaled according to any appropriate means). 12. Regarding claim 12, Oteri A method for sending a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), the method being performed by a network device and comprising: sending, by a network device, PDCCH monitoring capability configuration information to a user equipment (Oteri, Paragraphs [0102] to [0113] base station specifies a PDCCH search space set for the UE with regard to multi-slot PDCCH monitoring; USS/CSS), wherein the PDCCH monitoring capability configuration information is configured to indicate that a PDCCH monitoring capability for use in a connection state is a multi-slot group PDCCH monitoring capability. Oteri does not explicitly disclose wherein the PDCCH monitoring capability configuration information is configured to indicate that a PDCCH monitoring capability for use in a connection state is a multi-slot group PDCCH monitoring capability. Yi teaches wherein the PDCCH monitoring capability configuration information is configured to indicate that a PDCCH monitoring capability for use in a connection state is a multi-slot group PDCCH monitoring capability (Paragraph [0402] to [0404] RRC connection; multi-slot PDCCH monitoring enabled, apply the second BD capability). It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide wherein the PDCCH monitoring capability configuration information is configured to indicate that a PDCCH monitoring capability for use in a connection state is a multi-slot group PDCCH monitoring capability as taught by Yi in the system of Oteri for data scheduling in high frequency see title and abstract of Yi. 13. Regarding claim 13, Oteri in view of Yi teaches, further comprising: receiving, by the network device, capability information from the user equipment, wherein the capability information comprises the multi-slot group PDCCH monitoring capability (Oteri, Paragraphs [0107] to [0113] UE signals to base station capabilities with regard to multi-slot PDCCH monitoring). 14. Regarding claim 14, Oteri in view of Yi teaches, wherein-further comprising: receiving, by the network device, at least one group of capability parameters corresponding to the multi-slot group PDCCH monitoring capability is received-from the user equipment (Oteri, Paragraphs [0107] to [0113] UE signals to base station capabilities with regard to multi-slot PDCCH monitoring; group of slots). 15. Regarding claim 15, Oteri in view of Yi teaches, further comprising: sending, by the network device, PDCCH monitoring capability configuration information to the user equipment, wherein the PDCCH monitoring capability configuration information is configured to indicate that the PDCCH monitoring capability for use in the connection state is the multi-slot group PDCCH monitoring capability (Oteri, Paragraphs [0107] to [0113] UE signals to base station capabilities with regard to multi-slot PDCCH monitoring; group of slots), and is further configured to indicate a target group of capability parameters, and wherein the target group of capability parameters is a group among the at least one group of capability parameters (Oteri, Paragraphs [0107] to [0113] UE signals to base station capabilities with regard to multi-slot PDCCH monitoring; group of slots). 16. Regarding claim 16, Oteri in view of Yi teaches, wherein slots for monitoring the PDCCH corresponding to the target group of capability parameters meet a first condition, and wherein the first condition comprises that a common search space configured within a same multi-slot group and a common search space received by the user equipment in a non-connection state are located in some or all of the slots for monitoring the PDCCH corresponding to the target group of capability parameters of the user equipment (Oteri, Paragraphs [0102] to [0113] UE signals to base station capabilities with regard to multi-slot PDCCH monitoring; CSS). Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant’s disclosure: Bhamri et al. (US 2024/0205928 A1) Paragraph [0053] Lee et al. (US 2019/0104510 A1) Paragraph [0046] Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to DIANE LEE LO whose telephone number is (571)270-1952. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday 8 am - 5 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. /DIANE L LO/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2466
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Prosecution Timeline

Mar 21, 2024
Application Filed
Feb 19, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §103 (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
90%
Grant Probability
98%
With Interview (+8.5%)
2y 3m
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 941 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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