Prosecution Insights
Last updated: July 17, 2026
Application No. 18/800,899

NEW DATA INDICATOR FIELD FORMAT FOR DOWNLINK CONTROL INFORMATION

Non-Final OA §103
Filed
Aug 12, 2024
Examiner
TANG, KIET G
Art Unit
2469
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
Qualcomm Incorporated
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
90%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
7m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 90% — above average
90%
Career Allowance Rate
729 granted / 808 resolved
+32.2% vs TC avg
Moderate +12% lift
Without
With
+12.2%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 6m
Avg Prosecution
16 currently pending
Career history
837
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
2.0%
-38.0% vs TC avg
§103
91.6%
+51.6% vs TC avg
§102
4.4%
-35.6% vs TC avg
§112
1.6%
-38.4% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 808 resolved cases

Office Action

§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 . Claims 1-30 are pending. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 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 of this title, 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 set forth in Graham v. John Deere Co., 383 U.S. 1, 148 USPQ 459 (1966), that are applied 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 1, 4-6, 8, 16, 23-27, and 29 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over AGRAWAL et al. (Pub. No.: US 20220361226 A1), hereinafter AGRAWAL, in view of Cai et al. (Pub. No.: US 20100151874 A1), hereinafter Cai. With respect to claim 1, AGRAWAL teaches A user equipment (UE) for wireless communication, comprising ([0029], UE): one or more memories ([0029], memory); and one or more processors, coupled to the one or more memories, configured to cause the UE to([0029], the processor couples to the memory): obtain configuration information indicating one or more new data indicator (NDI) field formats ([0066-0067], obtain configuration information / grant 425 indicating one or more new data indicator (NDI) field formats); and of the one or more NDI field formats, as indicated by the configuration information ([0066-0067], new data indicator (NDI) field formats indicated by the configuration information / grant 425). Although AGRAWAL teaches obtain configuration information indicating one or more new data indicator (NDI) field formats as set forth above. AGRAWAL does not explicitly teach for respective downlink control information (DCI) formats, and receive a first DCI communication associated with a first DCI format associated with a first NDI field format. However, Cai teaches for respective downlink control information (DCI) formats ([0034, 0061-0068], NDI field formats for DCI formats), and receive a first DCI communication associated with a first DCI format associated with a first NDI field format ([0034, 0061-0068], UE receives a first DCI communication associated with a first DCI format associated with a first NDI field format). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Cai, for respective downlink control information (DCI) formats, and receive a first DCI communication associated with a first DCI format associated with a first NDI field format, into the teachings of AGRAWAL, in order to provide a reliable way to cause a UA to release SPS resources (Cai, [0011, 0056]). With respect to claim 4, the combination of AGRAWAL and Cai teaches the UE of claim 1. AGRAWAL teaches wherein the first DCI communication is associated with a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process identifier ([0071]), and wherein other DCI communications associated with the HARQ process identifier are associated with the first DCI format ([0077, 0084]). With respect to claim 5, the combination of AGRAWAL and Cai teaches the UE of claim 1. AGRAWAL teaches wherein the first DCI communication is associated with a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process identifier, wherein the first DCI communication schedules a transport block ([0058, 0077]), and wherein other DCI communications, scheduling respective retransmissions of the transport block, are associated with the first DCI format ([0066, 0081]). With respect to claim 6, the combination of AGRAWAL and Cai teaches the UE of claim 1. AGRAWAL teaches wherein the first DCI communication is associated with a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process identifier, wherein the first DCI communication schedules a first transport block ([0058, 0077]), and wherein the one or more processors are further configured to cause the UE to: receive a second DCI communication, associated with the HARQ process identifier, scheduling a second transport block, wherein the second DCI communication is associated with a second NDI field format of the one or more NDI field formats ([0066, 0081]). With respect to claim 8, the combination of AGRAWAL and Cai teaches the UE of claim 1. AGRAWAL teaches wherein the first DCI communication is associated with a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process identifier, wherein the first DCI communication schedules a first transport block ([0058, 0077]), and wherein the one or more processors are further configured to cause the UE to: receive a second DCI communication, associated with the HARQ process identifier, scheduling a retransmission of the transport block or scheduling a second transport block, wherein the second DCI communication is associated with a second NDI field format of the one or more NDI field formats ([0066, 0081]). With respect to claim 16, AGRAWAL teaches A network node for wireless communication, comprising ([0066-0067], base station): one or more memories ([0042], memory); and one or more processors, coupled to the one or more memories, configured to cause the network node to ([0042], the processor couples to the memory): transmit configuration information indicating one or more new data indicator (NDI) field formats ([0066-0067], transmit configuration information / grant 425 indicating one or more new data indicator (NDI) field formats); and of the one or more NDI field formats, associated with the first DCI format ([0066-0067], NDI field formats, associated with the first DCI format). Although AGRAWAL teaches transmit configuration information indicating one or more new data indicator (NDI) field formats as set forth above. AGRAWAL does not explicitly teach for respective downlink control information (DCI) formats, and transmit a first DCI communication associated with a first DCI format in accordance with a first NDI field format. However, Cai teaches for respective downlink control information (DCI) formats ([0034, 0061-0068], NDI field formats for DCI formats), and transmit a first DCI communication associated with a first DCI format in accordance with a first NDI field format ([0034, 0061-0068], transmit a first DCI communication associated with a first DCI format in accordance with a first NDI field format). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Cai, for respective downlink control information (DCI) formats, and transmit a first DCI communication associated with a first DCI format in accordance with a first NDI field format, into the teachings of AGRAWAL, in order to provide a reliable way to cause a UA to release SPS resources (Cai, [0011, 0056]). With respect to claim 23, this claim recites the UE of claim 4, and it is rejected for at least the same reasons. With respect to claim 24, this claim recites the UE of claim 5, and it is rejected for at least the same reasons. With respect to claim 25, this claim recites the UE of claim 6, and it is rejected for at least the same reasons. With respect to claim 26, this claim recites the UE of claim 8, and it is rejected for at least the same reasons. With respect to claim 27, AGRAWAL teaches A method of wireless communication performed by a user equipment (UE), comprising ([0066-0067], a method of wireless communication performed by a user equipment): obtaining configuration information indicating one or more new data indicator (NDI) field formats ([0066-0067], obtain configuration information / grant 425 indicating one or more new data indicator (NDI) field formats); and of the one or more NDI field formats, as indicated by the configuration information ([0066-0067], new data indicator (NDI) field formats indicated by the configuration information / grant 425). Although AGRAWAL teaches obtain configuration information indicating one or more new data indicator (NDI) field formats as set forth above. AGRAWAL does not explicitly teach for respective downlink control information (DCI) formats, and receive a first DCI communication associated with a first DCI format associated with a first NDI field format. However, Cai teaches for respective downlink control information (DCI) formats ([0034, 0061-0068], NDI field formats for DCI formats), and receiving a first DCI communication associated with a first DCI format associated with a first NDI field format ([0034, 0061-0068], UE receives a first DCI communication associated with a first DCI format associated with a first NDI field format). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Cai, for respective downlink control information (DCI) formats, and receive a first DCI communication associated with a first DCI format associated with a first NDI field format, into the teachings of AGRAWAL, in order to provide a reliable way to cause a UA to release SPS resources (Cai, [0011, 0056]). With respect to claim 29, AGRAWAL A method of wireless communication performed by a network node, comprising ([0066-0067], a method of wireless communication performed by a BS): transmitting configuration information indicating one or more new data indicator (NDI) field formats ([0066-0067], transmit configuration information / grant 425 indicating one or more new data indicator (NDI) field formats); and of the one or more NDI field formats, associated with the first DCI format ([0066-0067], NDI field formats, associated with the first DCI format). Although AGRAWAL teaches transmit configuration information indicating one or more new data indicator (NDI) field formats as set forth above. AGRAWAL does not explicitly teach for respective downlink control information (DCI) formats, and transmitting a first DCI communication associated with a first DCI format in accordance with a first NDI field format. However, Cai teaches for respective downlink control information (DCI) formats ([0034, 0061-0068], NDI field formats for DCI formats), and transmitting a first DCI communication associated with a first DCI format in accordance with a first NDI field format ([0034, 0061-0068], transmit a first DCI communication associated with a first DCI format in accordance with a first NDI field format). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Cai, for respective downlink control information (DCI) formats, and transmitting a first DCI communication associated with a first DCI format in accordance with a first NDI field format, into the teachings of AGRAWAL, in order to provide a reliable way to cause a UA to release SPS resources (Cai, [0011, 0056]). Claims 17 and 28 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over AGRAWAL, in view of Cai, and further in view of Bhamri et al. (Pub. No.: US 20230284190 A1), hereinafter Bhamri. With respect to claim 17, the combination of AGRAWAL and Cai teaches the network node of claim 16. AGRAWAL teaches wherein each NDI field format, of the one or more NDI field formats, associated with that NDI field format ([0066, 0067]). The combination of AGRAWAL and Cai does not explicitly teach indicates a size of an NDI field. However, Bhamri teaches indicates a size of an NDI field ([0104]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Bhamri, indicates a size of an NDI field, into the teachings of AGRAWAL and Cai, in order to control information that schedules or activates multiple transmissions (Bhamri, [0002]). With respect to claim 28, this claim recites the network node of claim 17, and it is rejected for at least the same reasons. Claims 18 and 30 rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over AGRAWAL, in view of Cai, and further in view of Damnjanovic et al. (Pub. No.: US 20160227541 A1), hereinafter Damnjanovic. With respect to claim 18, the combination of AGRAWAL and Cai teaches the network node of claim 16. AGRAWAL teaches wherein the one or more NDI field formats ([0066, 0067]). The combination of AGRAWAL and Cai does not explicitly teach are configured for a component carrier. However, Damnjanovic teaches are configured for a component carrier ([0080]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Damnjanovic, are configured for a component carrier, into the teachings of AGRAWAL and Cai, in order to improve communication quality and reliability between base stations and UEs (Damnjanovic, [0068]). With respect to claim 30, this claim recites the network node of claim 18, and it is rejected for at least the same reasons. Claim 19 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over AGRAWAL, in view of Cai, and further in view of YANG et al. (Pub. No.: US 20190297618 A1), hereinafter YANG. With respect to claim 19, the combination of AGRAWAL and Cai teaches the network node of claim 16. Cai teaches wherein the one or more NDI field formats ([0034, 0061-0068]). The combination of AGRAWAL and Cai does not explicitly teach include non-fallback DCI formats. However, YANG teaches include non-fallback DCI formats ([0064]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of YANG, include non-fallback DCI formats, into the teachings of AGRAWAL and Cai, in order to provide a method of efficiently transmitting/receiving control information in a wireless communication and an apparatus (YANG, [0004]). Allowable Subject Matter Claims 2-3, 7, 9-15, and 20-22 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 The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Pub. No.: US 20110222485 A1; “Nangia”, ([0011]) Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to KIET TANG whose telephone number is (571)270-7193. The examiner can normally be reached on M-F 8:00-5:00. 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, IAN MOORE can be reached on (571) 272-3085. 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. /KIET TANG/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2469
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Aug 12, 2024
Application Filed
Jun 30, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103 (current)

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
90%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+12.2%)
2y 6m (~7m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 808 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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