Prosecution Insights
Last updated: August 17, 2026
Application No. 18/728,065

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING PROCESSING TIME PARAMETER OF PHYSICAL DOWNLINK SHARED CHANNEL

Non-Final OA §102§103
Filed
Jul 10, 2024
Priority
Jan 12, 2022 — nonprovisional of PCTCN2022071680
Examiner
YANG, ZHAOHUI
Art Unit
Tech Center
Assignee
Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software Co., Ltd.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
72%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
12m
Est. Remaining
83%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 72% — above average
72%
Career Allowance Rate
286 granted / 399 resolved
+11.7% vs TC avg
Moderate +11% lift
Without
With
+11.4%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 1m
Avg Prosecution
20 currently pending
Career history
445
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
3.1%
-36.9% vs TC avg
§103
66.0%
+26.0% vs TC avg
§102
17.8%
-22.2% vs TC avg
§112
10.6%
-29.4% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 399 resolved cases

Office Action

§102 §103
DETAILED ACTION 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 . 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 1-2, 7-9, 14, and 29-34 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by CHENG; CHIEN-CHUN et al. US PGPUB 20220124660 A1 Regarding claim 1. Cheng teaches A method for determining a processing time parameter for a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), performed by a terminal device, comprising: determining a first time parameter required for processing the PDSCH carried by a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process according to a status of an HARQ feedback of the HARQ process. ([0123] In some implementations, when HARQ-ACK is disabled, and a UE receives a PDSCH that provides an activation command in uplink slot m, the UE may apply the activation command according to the following timing: [0124] In the first slot after slot subframe m+k.sub.1+3.Math.N.sub.slot.sup.subframe,μ, where k.sub.1 is indicated by the PDSCH-to-HARQ_feedback timing indicator field in the DCI format that schedules the PDSCH with the activation command, and μ is the SCS configuration for the PUCCH;) Regarding claim 2. Cheng teaches The method according to claim 1, wherein determining the first time parameter required for processing the PDSCH carried by the HARQ process according to the status of the HARQ feedback of the HARQ process comprises: in response to the HARQ feedback of the HARQ process being enabled, determining the first time parameter required for processing the PDSCH carried by the HARQ process according to at least one of a first subcarrier spacing corresponding to a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), a second subcarrier spacing corresponding to the PDSCH, or a subcarrier spacing corresponding to an uplink physical channel for transmitting the HARQ feedback; ([0130] Antenna ports quasi-co-location: If the UE receives a MAC-CE activation command for one of the Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) states, the UE may apply the activation command in the first slot after slot subframe n+3N.sub.slot.sup.subframe,μ. where n is the slot where the UE would transmit a PUCCH with HARQ-ACK information for the PDSCH providing the activation command, and μ is the SCS configuration for the PUCCH. The active BWP may be defined as the active BWP in the slot when the activation command is applied if HARQ-ACK is enabled.) or in response to the HARQ feedback of the HARQ process being disabled, determining the first time parameter required for processing the PDSCH carried by the HARQ process according to at least one of the first subcarrier spacing, the second subcarrier spacing, or a subcarrier spacing corresponding to an uplink physical channel assumed to transmit the HARQ feedback. ([0123] In some implementations, when HARQ-ACK is disabled, and a UE receives a PDSCH that provides an activation command in uplink slot m, the UE may apply the activation command according to the following timing: [0124] In the first slot after slot subframe m+k.sub.1+3.Math.N.sub.slot.sup.subframe,μ, where k.sub.1 is indicated by the PDSCH-to-HARQ_feedback timing indicator field in the DCI format that schedules the PDSCH with the activation command, and μ is the SCS configuration for the PUCCH;) Regarding claim 7. Cheng teaches The method according to claim 1, further comprising: in response to the HARQ feedback of the HARQ process being enabled, determining an earliest time for transmitting the HARQ feedback of the HARQ process according to the first time parameter required for processing the PDSCH carried by the HARQ process; ([0133] In some implementations, when HARQ-ACK is enabled and an NTN cell has been identified, the UE may apply received MAC-CE command(s) following the same MAC-CE latency based on the latency of applying a TA MAC-CE command In this case, the MAC-CE action time for all MAC-CE commands may be unified and may be independent of the timing of HARQ-ACK transmission. In some implementations, when HARQ-ACK is enabled, the UE may apply a received MAC-CE command after a pre-determined/(pre-)configured time offset from the reception of a PDSCH that carries the received MAC-CE command or from a PDCCH that schedules the PDSCH carrying the received MAC-CE command In one implementation, the behavior may be further conditioned on the camping/residing cell of the UE being an NTN cell.) or in response to the HARQ feedback of the HARQ process being disabled, determining an earliest time for receiving another PDSCH carried by the HARQ process according to the first time parameter required for processing the PDSCH carried by the HARQ process. Regarding claim 8. Cheng teaches A method for determining a processing time parameter for a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), performed by a network device, comprising: determining, by the network device, a first time parameter required by a terminal device for processing the PDSCH carried by a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process according to a status of an HARQ feedback of the HARQ process of the terminal device. ([0123] In some implementations, when HARQ-ACK is disabled, and a UE receives a PDSCH that provides an activation command in uplink slot m, the UE may apply the activation command according to the following timing: [0124] In the first slot after slot subframe m+k.sub.1+3.Math.N.sub.slot.sup.subframe,μ, where k.sub.1 is indicated by the PDSCH-to-HARQ_feedback timing indicator field in the DCI format that schedules the PDSCH with the activation command, and μ is the SCS configuration for the PUCCH;) Regarding claim 9. Cheng teaches The method according to claim 8, wherein determining, by the network device, the first time parameter required by the terminal device for processing the PDSCH carried by the HARQ process according to the status of the HARQ feedback of the HARQ process of the terminal device comprises: in response to the HARQ feedback of the HARQ process of the terminal device being enabled, determining the first time parameter required by the terminal device for processing the PDSCH carried by the HARQ process according to at least one of a first subcarrier spacing corresponding to a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), a second subcarrier spacing corresponding to the PDSCH, or a subcarrier spacing corresponding to an uplink physical channel for transmitting the HARQ feedback; ([0130] Antenna ports quasi-co-location: If the UE receives a MAC-CE activation command for one of the Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) states, the UE may apply the activation command in the first slot after slot subframe n+3N.sub.slot.sup.subframe,μ. where n is the slot where the UE would transmit a PUCCH with HARQ-ACK information for the PDSCH providing the activation command, and μ is the SCS configuration for the PUCCH. The active BWP may be defined as the active BWP in the slot when the activation command is applied if HARQ-ACK is enabled.) or in response to the HARQ feedback of the HARQ process of the terminal device being disabled, determining the first time parameter required by the terminal device for processing the PDSCH carried by the HARQ process according to at least one of the first subcarrier spacing, and the second subcarrier spacing, and/or a subcarrier spacing corresponding to an uplink physical channel assumed to transmit the HARQ feedback. ([0123] In some implementations, when HARQ-ACK is disabled, and a UE receives a PDSCH that provides an activation command in uplink slot m, the UE may apply the activation command according to the following timing: [0124] In the first slot after slot subframe m+k.sub.1+3.Math.N.sub.slot.sup.subframe,μ, where k.sub.1 is indicated by the PDSCH-to-HARQ_feedback timing indicator field in the DCI format that schedules the PDSCH with the activation command, and μ is the SCS configuration for the PUCCH;) Regarding claim 14. Cheng teaches The method according to claim 8, further comprising: in response to the HARQ feedback of the HARQ process being enabled, determining an earliest time for transmitting the HARQ feedback of the HARQ process according to the first time parameter required for processing the PDSCH carried by the HARQ process; ([0130] Antenna ports quasi-co-location: If the UE receives a MAC-CE activation command for one of the Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) states, the UE may apply the activation command in the first slot after slot subframe n+3N.sub.slot.sup.subframe,μ. where n is the slot where the UE would transmit a PUCCH with HARQ-ACK information for the PDSCH providing the activation command, and μ is the SCS configuration for the PUCCH. The active BWP may be defined as the active BWP in the slot when the activation command is applied if HARQ-ACK is enabled.) or in response to the HARQ feedback of the HARQ process being disabled, determining an earliest time for transmitting another PDSCH carried by the HARQ process according to the first time parameter required for processing the PDSCH carried by the HARQ process. Regarding claim 29 and 33. Cheng teaches A communication apparatus, comprising: a processor; and a memory, having stored therein computer programs, (Fig. 8, Processor 826, Memory 834) wherein the processor is configured to perform the method in claim 1 and 2. They are rejected for the same reasons. Regarding claim 30 and 34. Cheng teaches A communication apparatus, comprising: a processor; and a memory, having stored therein computer programs, (Fig. 8, Processor 826, Memory 834) wherein the processor is configured to perform the method according to claim 8 and 9. They are rejected for the same reasons. Regarding claim 31. Cheng teaches A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, having stored therein instructions that, (Fig. 8, Processor 826, Memory 834)when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the method according to claim 1. They are rejected for the same reasons. Regarding claim 32. Cheng teaches A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, having stored therein instructions that, when executed by a processor, (Fig. 8) cause the processor to perform the method according to claim 8. They are rejected for the same reasons. 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. The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows: 1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art. 2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue. 3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art. 4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness. This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention. Claims 3 and 10 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Cheng as applied to claim 1 and 8 above, and further in view of FU; Jingxing et al. US PGPUB 20220124767 A1. Regarding claim 3. Cheng teaches The method according to claim 1, but it does not teach wherein determining the first time parameter required for processing the PDSCH carried by the HARQ process according to the status of the HARQ feedback of the HARQ process comprises: determining the first time parameter required for processing the PDSCH carried by the HARQ process according to at least one of a first subcarrier spacing corresponding to a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), a second subcarrier spacing corresponding to the PDSCH, or a subcarrier spacing corresponding to an uplink physical channel assumed to transmit the HARQ feedback, regardless of whether the HARQ feedback of the HARQ process is enabled or disabled. However, Fu teaches determining the first time parameter required for processing the PDSCH carried by the HARQ process according to at least one of a first subcarrier spacing corresponding to a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), a second subcarrier spacing corresponding to the PDSCH, or a subcarrier spacing corresponding to an uplink physical channel assumed to transmit the HARQ feedback, regardless of whether the HARQ feedback of the HARQ process is enabled or disabled. ([0204] the determined HARQ-ACK timing indication time unit corresponds to the subcarrier spacing (SCS) of the PUCCH transmitting the HARQ-ACK information for PDSCH. [0205] Therefore, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, for at least one UE whose physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) transmitting the HARQ-ACK information for the multicast PDSCH is in the same uplink serving cell or the same uplink carrier, the same HARQ-ACK timing indication time unit may be determined, or, for at least one UE with the same subcarrier spacing (SCS) of PUCCH transmitting the HARQ-ACK information for the multicast PDSCH, the same HARQ-ACK timing indication time unit may be determined.) in order to improve transmission performance by multiplexing different HARQ-ACKS for PDSCH. Cheng and Fu are analogous art in the same field of endeavor of wireless communication. It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person with ordinary skill in the art to modify the method in Cheng with the technique of HARQ timing determining in Fu in order to improve transmission performance. Regarding claim 10. Cheng teaches The method according to claim 8, but it does not teach wherein determining, by the network device, the first time parameter required by the terminal device for processing the PDSCH carried by the HARQ process according to the status of the HARQ feedback of the HARQ process of the terminal device comprises: determining the first time parameter required by the terminal device for processing the PDSCH carried by the HARQ process according to one of a first subcarrier spacing corresponding to a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), a second subcarrier spacing corresponding to the PDSCH, and a subcarrier spacing corresponding to an uplink physical channel assumed to transmit the HARQ feedback, regardless of whether the HARQ feedback of the HARQ process is enabled or disabled. However, Fu teaches determining the first time parameter required for processing the PDSCH carried by the HARQ process according to at least one of a first subcarrier spacing corresponding to a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), a second subcarrier spacing corresponding to the PDSCH, or a subcarrier spacing corresponding to an uplink physical channel assumed to transmit the HARQ feedback, regardless of whether the HARQ feedback of the HARQ process is enabled or disabled. ([0204] the determined HARQ-ACK timing indication time unit corresponds to the subcarrier spacing (SCS) of the PUCCH transmitting the HARQ-ACK information for PDSCH. [0205] Therefore, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, for at least one UE whose physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) transmitting the HARQ-ACK information for the multicast PDSCH is in the same uplink serving cell or the same uplink carrier, the same HARQ-ACK timing indication time unit may be determined, or, for at least one UE with the same subcarrier spacing (SCS) of PUCCH transmitting the HARQ-ACK information for the multicast PDSCH, the same HARQ-ACK timing indication time unit may be determined.) in order to improve transmission performance by multiplexing different HARQ-ACKS for PDSCH. Cheng and Fu are analogous art in the same field of endeavor of wireless communication. It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person with ordinary skill in the art to modify the method in Cheng with the technique of HARQ timing determining in Fu in order to improve transmission performance. Allowable Subject Matter Claims 6, 13, 35-38 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. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ZHAOHUI YANG whose telephone number is (571)270-7527. The examiner can normally be reached 9 AM to 5 PM M-F. 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, Marcus Smith can be reached at 571 270-1096. 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. /ZHAOHUI YANG/Examiner, Art Unit 2468 /Saad A. Waqas/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2468
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Jul 10, 2024
Application Filed
Jul 17, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102, §103 (current)

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
72%
Grant Probability
83%
With Interview (+11.4%)
3y 1m (~12m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 399 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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