Prosecution Insights
Last updated: July 17, 2026
Application No. 18/771,123

Power Control in Multiple Data Scheduling

Non-Final OA §DP
Filed
Jul 12, 2024
Priority
Mar 24, 2021 — provisional 63/165,526 +2 more
Examiner
CHENG, CHI TANG P
Art Unit
Tech Center
Assignee
Toyota Motor Corporation
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
81%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
1y 0m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 81% — above average
81%
Career Allowance Rate
477 granted / 590 resolved
+20.8% vs TC avg
Strong +25% interview lift
Without
With
+24.8%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 0m
Avg Prosecution
15 currently pending
Career history
611
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
1.2%
-38.8% vs TC avg
§103
92.2%
+52.2% vs TC avg
§102
3.2%
-36.8% vs TC avg
§112
2.2%
-37.8% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 590 resolved cases

Office Action

§DP
CTNF 18/771,123 CTNF 82084 Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status 07-03-aia AIA 15-10-aia The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA. Double Patenting 08-33 AIA The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg , 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman , 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi , 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum , 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel , 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Thorington , 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969). A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on nonstatutory double patenting provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with the examined application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. See MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP § 2146 et seq. for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA. A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b). The filing of a terminal disclaimer by itself is not a complete reply to a nonstatutory double patenting (NSDP) rejection. A complete reply requires that the terminal disclaimer be accompanied by a reply requesting reconsideration of the prior Office action. Even where the NSDP rejection is provisional the reply must be complete. See MPEP § 804, subsection I.B.1. For a reply to a non-final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.111(a). For a reply to final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.113(c). A request for reconsideration while not provided for in 37 CFR 1.113(c) may be filed after final for consideration. See MPEP §§ 706.07(e) and 714.13. The USPTO Internet website contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms. The actual filing date of the application in which the form is filed determines what form (e.g., PTO/SB/25, PTO/SB/26, PTO/AIA/25, or PTO/AIA/26) should be used. A web-based eTerminal Disclaimer may be filled out completely online using web-screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets all requirements is auto-processed and approved immediately upon submission. For more information about eTerminal Disclaimers, refer to www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/applying-online/eterminal-disclaimer. Claims 1-20 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-14 of U.S. Patent No. 12,041,617 B2 to Cirik et al. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other. As to claim 1, claim 1 of Cirik discloses A method comprising: receiving, by a wireless device, downlink control information (DCI) scheduling physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmissions for a cell, wherein the DCI comprises: a first phase tracking reference signal-demodulation reference signal (PTRS-DMRS) association field; a second PTRS-DMRS association field; and a sounding reference signal (SRS) resource set field, wherein: a first value of the SRS resource set field indicates the PUSCH transmissions are based on the first PTRS-DMRS association field; and a second value of the SRS resource set field indicates the PUSCH transmissions are based on both the first PTRS-DMRS association field and the second PTRS-DMRS association field (claim 1: “receive downlink control information (DCI) …”); and transmitting the PUSCH transmissions based on the SRS resource set field (claim 1: “transmit the PUSCH transmissions …”). As to claim 2, claim 2 of Cirik discloses the limitations recited herein, as is evident on the basis of a comparison of the respective limitations. As to claim 3, claim 3 of Cirik discloses the limitations recited herein, as is evident on the basis of a comparison of the respective limitations. As to claim 4, claim 4 of Cirik discloses the limitations recited herein, as is evident on the basis of a comparison of the respective limitations. As to claim 5, claim 5 of Cirik discloses the limitations recited herein, as is evident on the basis of a comparison of the respective limitations. As to claim 6, claim 6 of Cirik discloses the limitations recited herein, as is evident on the basis of a comparison of the respective limitations. As to claim 7, claim 7 of Cirik discloses the limitations recited herein, as is evident on the basis of a comparison of the respective limitations. As to claim 8, claim 8 of Cirik discloses A method comprising: transmitting, by a base station to a wireless device, downlink control information (DCI) scheduling physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmissions for a cell, wherein the DCI comprises: a first phase tracking reference signal-demodulation reference signal (PTRS-DMRS) association field; a second PTRS-DMRS association field; and a sounding reference signal (SRS) resource set field, wherein: a first value of the SRS resource set field indicates the PUSCH transmissions are based on the first PTRS-DMRS association field; and a second value of the SRS resource set field indicates the PUSCH transmissions are based on the second PTRS-DMRS association field (claim 8: “transmit, to a wireless device, downlink control information (DCI) …”); and receiving the PUSCH transmissions based on the SRS resource set field. (claim 8: “receive the PUSCH transmissions …”). As to claim 9, claim 9 of Cirik discloses the limitations recited herein, as is evident on the basis of a comparison of the respective limitations. As to claim 10, claim 10 of Cirik discloses the limitations recited herein, as is evident on the basis of a comparison of the respective limitations. As to claim 11, claim 11 of Cirik discloses the limitations recited herein, as is evident on the basis of a comparison of the respective limitations. As to claim 12, claim 12 of Cirik discloses the limitations recited herein, as is evident on the basis of a comparison of the respective limitations. As to claim 13, claim 13 of Cirik discloses the limitations recited herein, as is evident on the basis of a comparison of the respective limitations. As to claim 14, claim 14 of Cirik discloses the limitations recited herein, as is evident on the basis of a comparison of the respective limitations. As to claims 15-20, please see ODP obviousness-type double patenting rejections for claims 1-6, above. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to CHI TANG P CHENG whose telephone number is (571)272-9021. The examiner can normally be reached M-F, 9:30AM - 6PM. 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, Asad M Nawaz can be reached at (571)272-3988. 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. /CHI TANG P CHENG/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2463 Application/Control Number: 18/771,123 Page 2 Art Unit: 2463 Application/Control Number: 18/771,123 Page 3 Art Unit: 2463 Application/Control Number: 18/771,123 Page 4 Art Unit: 2463 Application/Control Number: 18/771,123 Page 5 Art Unit: 2463 Application/Control Number: 18/771,123 Page 6 Art Unit: 2463
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Jul 12, 2024
Application Filed
Jun 18, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §DP (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
81%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+24.8%)
3y 0m (~1y 0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 590 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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