Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 16, 2026
Application No. 18/814,087

Standalone L2 Processing and Control Architecture in 5G Flexible RAT Systems

Non-Final OA §102§103
Filed
Aug 23, 2024
Priority
Mar 30, 2016 — provisional 62/315,165 +3 more
Examiner
HUYNH, KHOA B
Art Unit
2419
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
InterDigital Inc.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
80%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
9m
Est. Remaining
90%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 80% — above average
80%
Career Allowance Rate
567 granted / 706 resolved
+22.3% vs TC avg
Moderate +10% lift
Without
With
+9.5%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 11m
Avg Prosecution
18 currently pending
Career history
724
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
8.0%
-32.0% vs TC avg
§103
46.7%
+6.7% vs TC avg
§102
17.8%
-22.2% vs TC avg
§112
17.8%
-22.2% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 706 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)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention. (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 18-21, 26-31, 36-37 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Zou, WO 2016177177 A1. For claim 18. Zou teaches: A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) comprising: a processor configured to: perform a logical channel prioritization procedure, wherein the processor being configured to perform the logical channel prioritization procedure comprises the processor being configured to: (Zhou, translation, page 24, 4th paragraph to page 28, 1st paragraph, UE performs logical channel prioritization procedure; page 37, 2nd paragraph to page 38, 3rd paragraph, method implemented using processor executing programs/instructions stored in memory) receive a physical layer signaling indicating a transmission time interval associated with an uplink transmission; (Zou, translation, page 24, 4th paragraph to page 26, 4th paragraph, “Step 101: The user equipment receives resource allocation information from the PDCCH for short TTI communication”; TTI is transmission time interval, PDCCH (physical downlink control channel) is physical layer; page 26, 5th paragraph to page 28, 1st paragraph, “As shown in Figure 2, the resources for short TTI communication in both the uplink and downlink directions are dynamically indicated by the dedicated downlink control information (DCI) unit format in the PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel)… Optionally, the UE (User Equipment) obtains specific parameters for short TTI access from the DCI (Downlink Control Information), including the length of the short TTI, the length of the control channel in each short TTI, and its configuration… Optionally, when the system only supports a single default short TTI format, the short TTI format in the DCI can be replaced by a single-bit short TTI indication information. Optionally, the short TTI format may include each control channel and corresponding data channel within the short TTI. Optionally, the short TTI format may contain only each control channel within the short TTI, and the data channel for which short TTI communication is performed may be further indicated by information in each control channel within the short TTI.”) select, based on the physical layer signaling, one or more logical channels for the uplink transmission; and transmit data associated with the uplink transmission using the selected one or more logical channels. (Zou, page 24, 4th paragraph to page 26, 4th paragraph, “Step 102: The user equipment uses the resource allocation information for short TTI communication to perform short TTI communication… The user equipment utilizes the resource allocation information for short TTI communication to perform short TTI communication, including: The user equipment determines the short TTI communication format based on the indication information of the short TTI communication format in the resource allocation information for short TTI communication. The user equipment obtains the configuration information corresponding to the short TTI communication format; The user equipment uses the configuration information corresponding to the short TTI communication format to configure short TTI communication”; clearly “The user equipment uses the configuration information corresponding to the short TTI communication format to configure short TTI communication” includes selecting a logical channel since page 26, 5th paragraph to page 28, 1st paragraph states “the short TTI format may include each control channel and corresponding data channel within the short TTI”) For claim 19. Zou discloses all the limitations of claim 18, and Zou further teaches: wherein the one or more logical channels are selected in response to the transmission time interval of the uplink transmission being below a threshold. (Zou, page 24, 4th paragraph to page 26, 4th paragraph, “Step 102: The user equipment uses the resource allocation information for short TTI communication to perform short TTI communication… The user equipment utilizes the resource allocation information for short TTI communication to perform short TTI communication, including: The user equipment determines the short TTI communication format based on the indication information of the short TTI communication format in the resource allocation information for short TTI communication. The user equipment obtains the configuration information corresponding to the short TTI communication format; The user equipment uses the configuration information corresponding to the short TTI communication format to configure short TTI communication”; clearly “The user equipment uses the configuration information corresponding to the short TTI communication format to configure short TTI communication” includes selecting a logical channel since page 26, 5th paragraph to page 28, 1st paragraph states “the short TTI format may include each control channel and corresponding data channel within the short TTI”; short TTI means the TTI is below a certain length) For claim 20. Zou discloses all the limitations of claim 18, and Zhou further teaches: wherein the processor is further configured to: receive transmission information from a physical layer, the transmission information comprising at least the transmission time interval of the uplink transmission and information associated with subcarrier spacing. (Zou, translation, page 24, 4th paragraph to page 26, 4th paragraph, “Step 101: The user equipment receives resource allocation information from the PDCCH for short TTI communication”; TTI is transmission time interval, PDCCH (physical downlink control channel) is physical layer; page 26, 5th paragraph to page 28, 1st paragraph, “As shown in Figure 2, the resources for short TTI communication in both the uplink and downlink directions are dynamically indicated by the dedicated downlink control information (DCI) unit format in the PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel)… Optionally, the UE (User Equipment) obtains specific parameters for short TTI access from the DCI (Downlink Control Information), including the length of the short TTI, the length of the control channel in each short TTI, and its configuration… Optionally, when the system only supports a single default short TTI format, the short TTI format in the DCI can be replaced by a single-bit short TTI indication information. Optionally, the short TTI format may include each control channel and corresponding data channel within the short TTI. Optionally, the short TTI format may contain only each control channel within the short TTI, and the data channel for which short TTI communication is performed may be further indicated by information in each control channel within the short TTI.”; page 3, 2nd paragraph, “Short Transmission Time Interval (TTI) access technology reduces the transmission time interval (TTI) of the LTE system, thereby significantly shortening processing latency and backhaul latency to support the ultra-low latency requirements of certain services. There are currently two methods to reduce TTI. One method is to reduce the duration of a single OFDM symbol by increasing the subcarrier spacing of the Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) system.”; short TTI information is information associated with subcarrier spacing since “There are currently two methods to reduce TTI. One method is to reduce the duration of a single OFDM symbol by increasing the subcarrier spacing of the Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) system”) For claim 21. Zou discloses all the limitations of claim 18, and Zou further teaches: wherein the physical layer signaling comprises downlink control information (DCI). (Zou, translation, page 24, 4th paragraph to page 26, 4th paragraph, “Step 101: The user equipment receives resource allocation information from the PDCCH for short TTI communication”; TTI is transmission time interval, PDCCH (physical downlink control channel) is physical layer; page 26, 5th paragraph to page 28, 1st paragraph, “As shown in Figure 2, the resources for short TTI communication in both the uplink and downlink directions are dynamically indicated by the dedicated downlink control information (DCI) unit format in the PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel)) For claim 26. Zou discloses all the limitations of claim 18, and Zou further teaches: wherein the uplink transmission is a first uplink transmission, and wherein the processor is further configured to receive a second physical layer signaling indicating a second transmission time interval associated with a second uplink transmission, wherein the transmission time interval associated with the first uplink transmission is different from the second transmission time interval associated with the second uplink transmission. (Zou, translation, page 24, 4th paragraph to page 26, 4th paragraph, “Step 101: The user equipment receives resource allocation information from the PDCCH for short TTI communication”; TTI is transmission time interval, PDCCH (physical downlink control channel) is physical layer; page 26, 5th paragraph to page 28, 1st paragraph, “As shown in Figure 2, the resources for short TTI communication in both the uplink and downlink directions are dynamically indicated by the dedicated downlink control information (DCI) unit format in the PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel)… Optionally, the UE (User Equipment) obtains specific parameters for short TTI access from the DCI (Downlink Control Information), including the length of the short TTI, the length of the control channel in each short TTI, and its configuration.”; just a repeat of the steps with different short TTI length for different transmission) For claim 27. Zou discloses all the limitations of claim 18, and Zou further teaches: wherein the uplink transmission further comprises an index that indicates a selected transport format associated with the uplink transmission. (Zou, translation, page 24, 4th paragraph to page 26, 4th paragraph, “Step 101: The user equipment receives resource allocation information from the PDCCH for short TTI communication”; TTI is transmission time interval, PDCCH (physical downlink control channel) is physical layer; page 26, 5th paragraph to page 28, 1st paragraph, “As shown in Figure 2, the resources for short TTI communication in both the uplink and downlink directions are dynamically indicated by the dedicated downlink control information (DCI) unit format in the PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel)… Optionally, the UE (User Equipment) obtains specific parameters for short TTI access from the DCI (Downlink Control Information), including the length of the short TTI, the length of the control channel in each short TTI, and its configuration… Optionally, when the system only supports a single default short TTI format, the short TTI format in the DCI can be replaced by a single-bit short TTI indication information. Optionally, the short TTI format may include each control channel and corresponding data channel within the short TTI. Optionally, the short TTI format may contain only each control channel within the short TTI, and the data channel for which short TTI communication is performed may be further indicated by information in each control channel within the short TTI.”; single-bit short TTI indication information is an index) For claim 28. Zou teaches: A method implemented in a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), the method comprising: performing a logical channel prioritization procedure, wherein performing the logical channel prioritization procedure comprises: (Zhou, translation, page 24, 4th paragraph to page 28, 1st paragraph, UE performs logical channel prioritization procedure) receiving a physical layer signaling indicating a transmission time interval associated with an uplink transmission; (Zou, translation, page 24, 4th paragraph to page 26, 4th paragraph, “Step 101: The user equipment receives resource allocation information from the PDCCH for short TTI communication”; TTI is transmission time interval, PDCCH (physical downlink control channel) is physical layer; page 26, 5th paragraph to page 28, 1st paragraph, “As shown in Figure 2, the resources for short TTI communication in both the uplink and downlink directions are dynamically indicated by the dedicated downlink control information (DCI) unit format in the PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel)… Optionally, the UE (User Equipment) obtains specific parameters for short TTI access from the DCI (Downlink Control Information), including the length of the short TTI, the length of the control channel in each short TTI, and its configuration… Optionally, when the system only supports a single default short TTI format, the short TTI format in the DCI can be replaced by a single-bit short TTI indication information. Optionally, the short TTI format may include each control channel and corresponding data channel within the short TTI. Optionally, the short TTI format may contain only each control channel within the short TTI, and the data channel for which short TTI communication is performed may be further indicated by information in each control channel within the short TTI.”) selecting, based on the physical layer signaling, one or more logical channels for the uplink transmission; and transmitting data associated with the uplink transmission using the selected one or more logical channels. (Zou, page 24, 4th paragraph to page 26, 4th paragraph, “Step 102: The user equipment uses the resource allocation information for short TTI communication to perform short TTI communication… The user equipment utilizes the resource allocation information for short TTI communication to perform short TTI communication, including: The user equipment determines the short TTI communication format based on the indication information of the short TTI communication format in the resource allocation information for short TTI communication. The user equipment obtains the configuration information corresponding to the short TTI communication format; The user equipment uses the configuration information corresponding to the short TTI communication format to configure short TTI communication”; clearly “The user equipment uses the configuration information corresponding to the short TTI communication format to configure short TTI communication” includes selecting a logical channel since page 26, 5th paragraph to page 28, 1st paragraph states “the short TTI format may include each control channel and corresponding data channel within the short TTI”) For claim 29. Zou discloses all the limitations of claim 28, and Zou further teaches: wherein the one or more logical channels are selected in response to the transmission time interval of the uplink transmission being below a threshold. (Zou, page 24, 4th paragraph to page 26, 4th paragraph, “Step 102: The user equipment uses the resource allocation information for short TTI communication to perform short TTI communication… The user equipment utilizes the resource allocation information for short TTI communication to perform short TTI communication, including: The user equipment determines the short TTI communication format based on the indication information of the short TTI communication format in the resource allocation information for short TTI communication. The user equipment obtains the configuration information corresponding to the short TTI communication format; The user equipment uses the configuration information corresponding to the short TTI communication format to configure short TTI communication”; clearly “The user equipment uses the configuration information corresponding to the short TTI communication format to configure short TTI communication” includes selecting a logical channel since page 26, 5th paragraph to page 28, 1st paragraph states “the short TTI format may include each control channel and corresponding data channel within the short TTI”; short TTI means the TTI is below a certain length) For claim 30. Zou discloses all the limitations of claim 28, and Zou further teaches: further comprising: receiving transmission information from a physical layer, the transmission information comprising at least the transmission time interval of the uplink transmission and information associated with subcarrier spacing. (Zou, translation, page 24, 4th paragraph to page 26, 4th paragraph, “Step 101: The user equipment receives resource allocation information from the PDCCH for short TTI communication”; TTI is transmission time interval, PDCCH (physical downlink control channel) is physical layer; page 26, 5th paragraph to page 28, 1st paragraph, “As shown in Figure 2, the resources for short TTI communication in both the uplink and downlink directions are dynamically indicated by the dedicated downlink control information (DCI) unit format in the PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel)… Optionally, the UE (User Equipment) obtains specific parameters for short TTI access from the DCI (Downlink Control Information), including the length of the short TTI, the length of the control channel in each short TTI, and its configuration… Optionally, when the system only supports a single default short TTI format, the short TTI format in the DCI can be replaced by a single-bit short TTI indication information. Optionally, the short TTI format may include each control channel and corresponding data channel within the short TTI. Optionally, the short TTI format may contain only each control channel within the short TTI, and the data channel for which short TTI communication is performed may be further indicated by information in each control channel within the short TTI.”; page 3, 2nd paragraph, “Short Transmission Time Interval (TTI) access technology reduces the transmission time interval (TTI) of the LTE system, thereby significantly shortening processing latency and backhaul latency to support the ultra-low latency requirements of certain services. There are currently two methods to reduce TTI. One method is to reduce the duration of a single OFDM symbol by increasing the subcarrier spacing of the Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) system.”; short TTI information is information associated with subcarrier spacing since “There are currently two methods to reduce TTI. One method is to reduce the duration of a single OFDM symbol by increasing the subcarrier spacing of the Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) system”) For claim 31. Zou discloses all the limitations of claim 28, and Zou further teaches: wherein the physical layer signaling comprises downlink control information (DCI). (Zou, translation, page 24, 4th paragraph to page 26, 4th paragraph, “Step 101: The user equipment receives resource allocation information from the PDCCH for short TTI communication”; TTI is transmission time interval, PDCCH (physical downlink control channel) is physical layer; page 26, 5th paragraph to page 28, 1st paragraph, “As shown in Figure 2, the resources for short TTI communication in both the uplink and downlink directions are dynamically indicated by the dedicated downlink control information (DCI) unit format in the PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel)) For claim 36. Zou discloses all the limitations of claim 28, and Zou further teaches: wherein the uplink transmission is a first uplink transmission, and wherein the method further comprises receiving a second physical layer signaling indicating a second transmission time interval associated with a second uplink transmission, wherein the transmission time interval associated with the first uplink transmission is different from the second transmission time interval associated with the second uplink transmission. (Zou, translation, page 24, 4th paragraph to page 26, 4th paragraph, “Step 101: The user equipment receives resource allocation information from the PDCCH for short TTI communication”; TTI is transmission time interval, PDCCH (physical downlink control channel) is physical layer; page 26, 5th paragraph to page 28, 1st paragraph, “As shown in Figure 2, the resources for short TTI communication in both the uplink and downlink directions are dynamically indicated by the dedicated downlink control information (DCI) unit format in the PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel)… Optionally, the UE (User Equipment) obtains specific parameters for short TTI access from the DCI (Downlink Control Information), including the length of the short TTI, the length of the control channel in each short TTI, and its configuration.”; just a repeat of the steps with different short TTI length for different transmission) For claim 37. Zou discloses all the limitations of claim 28, wherein the uplink transmission further comprises an index that indicates a selected transport format associated with the uplink transmission. (Zou, translation, page 24, 4th paragraph to page 26, 4th paragraph, “Step 101: The user equipment receives resource allocation information from the PDCCH for short TTI communication”; TTI is transmission time interval, PDCCH (physical downlink control channel) is physical layer; page 26, 5th paragraph to page 28, 1st paragraph, “As shown in Figure 2, the resources for short TTI communication in both the uplink and downlink directions are dynamically indicated by the dedicated downlink control information (DCI) unit format in the PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel)… Optionally, the UE (User Equipment) obtains specific parameters for short TTI access from the DCI (Downlink Control Information), including the length of the short TTI, the length of the control channel in each short TTI, and its configuration… Optionally, when the system only supports a single default short TTI format, the short TTI format in the DCI can be replaced by a single-bit short TTI indication information. Optionally, the short TTI format may include each control channel and corresponding data channel within the short TTI. Optionally, the short TTI format may contain only each control channel within the short TTI, and the data channel for which short TTI communication is performed may be further indicated by information in each control channel within the short TTI.”; single-bit short TTI indication information is an index) 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. Claims 22-24, 32-34 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Zou, WO 2016177177 A1 in view of Park, US 20100254480. For claim 22. Zou discloses all the limitations of claim 18, however Zou doesn’t teach: wherein the processor being configured to select, based on the physical layer signaling, one or more logical channels for the uplink transmission comprises the processor being configured to: select one or more medium access control (MAC) service data units (SDUs) associated with the one or more logical channels for the uplink transmission. Park from the same or similar fields of endeavor teaches: wherein the processor being configured to select, based on the physical layer signaling, one or more logical channels for the uplink transmission comprises the processor being configured to: select one or more medium access control (MAC) service data units (SDUs) associated with the one or more logical channels for the uplink transmission. (Park, fig 6, paragraph 36-38, “Data stored in transmission buffers (TxBuffer1 to TxBuffer3) corresponding to each logical channel respectively are transferred to the MAC layer through a corresponding logical channel in a type of MAC SDU (MAC Service Data Unit). The MAC layer generates MAC PDU (MAC Protocol Data Unit) and then transfers the generated MAC PDU to the physical layer, wherein the MAC PDU includes at least part of the MAC SDU received through each logical channel. In FIG. 6, since LoCH1 and LoCH2 undergo multiplexing in the MAC layer, MAC SDUs transferred through LoCH1 and LoCH2 are included in one MAC PDU.”) Thus it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to implement the teachings of Park into Zou, since Zou suggests a technique for data transmission, and Park suggests the beneficial way of including into such technique using MAC SDUs to transfer data corresponding to each logical channel to the MAC layer and multiplex such MAC SDUs into a MAC PDU since it’s well-known in the art to use MAC SDUs to transfer data corresponding to each logical channel to the MAC layer and multiplex such MAC SDUS into a MAC PDU for data transmission (Park, fig 6, paragraph 36-38) thus doing so would ease implementation and improve compatibility in the analogous art of communication. For claim 23. Zou and Park disclose all the limitations of claim 22, however Zou doesn’t teach: wherein the processor is further configured to: multiplex the selected one or more MAC SDUs into a MAC protocol data unit (PDU). Park from the same or similar fields of endeavor teaches: wherein the processor is further configured to: multiplex the selected one or more MAC SDUs into a MAC protocol data unit (PDU). (Park, fig 6, paragraph 36-38, “Data stored in transmission buffers (TxBuffer1 to TxBuffer3) corresponding to each logical channel respectively are transferred to the MAC layer through a corresponding logical channel in a type of MAC SDU (MAC Service Data Unit). The MAC layer generates MAC PDU (MAC Protocol Data Unit) and then transfers the generated MAC PDU to the physical layer, wherein the MAC PDU includes at least part of the MAC SDU received through each logical channel. In FIG. 6, since LoCH1 and LoCH2 undergo multiplexing in the MAC layer, MAC SDUs transferred through LoCH1 and LoCH2 are included in one MAC PDU.”) Thus it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to implement the teachings of Park into Zou, since Zou suggests a technique for data transmission, and Park suggests the beneficial way of including into such technique using MAC SDUs to transfer data corresponding to each logical channel to the MAC layer and multiplex such MAC SDUs into a MAC PDU since it’s well-known in the art to use MAC SDUs to transfer data corresponding to each logical channel to the MAC layer and multiplex such MAC SDUS into a MAC PDU for data transmission (Park, fig 6, paragraph 36-38) thus doing so would ease implementation and improve compatibility in the analogous art of communication. For claim 24. Zou and Park disclose all the limitations of claim 23, however Zou doesn’t teach: wherein a first set of MAC SDUs comprises the selected one or more MAC SDUs, and wherein the processor is further configured to: select a second set of one or more MAC SDUs; and multiplex the selected second set of one or more MAC SDUs into the MAC PDU. Park from the same or similar fields of endeavor teaches: wherein a first set of MAC SDUs comprises the selected one or more MAC SDUs, and wherein the processor is further configured to: select a second set of one or more MAC SDUs; and multiplex the selected second set of one or more MAC SDUs into the MAC PDU. (Park, fig 6, paragraph 36-38, “Data stored in transmission buffers (TxBuffer1 to TxBuffer3) corresponding to each logical channel respectively are transferred to the MAC layer through a corresponding logical channel in a type of MAC SDU (MAC Service Data Unit). The MAC layer generates MAC PDU (MAC Protocol Data Unit) and then transfers the generated MAC PDU to the physical layer, wherein the MAC PDU includes at least part of the MAC SDU received through each logical channel. In FIG. 6, since LoCH1 and LoCH2 undergo multiplexing in the MAC layer, MAC SDUs transferred through LoCH1 and LoCH2 are included in one MAC PDU.”; multiple MAC SDUs for multiple logical channels) Thus it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to implement the teachings of Park into Zou, since Zou suggests a technique for data transmission, and Park suggests the beneficial way of including into such technique using MAC SDUs to transfer data corresponding to each logical channel to the MAC layer and multiplex such MAC SDUs into a MAC PDU since it’s well-known in the art to use MAC SDUs to transfer data corresponding to each logical channel to the MAC layer and multiplex such MAC SDUS into a MAC PDU for data transmission (Park, fig 6, paragraph 36-38) thus doing so would ease implementation and improve compatibility in the analogous art of communication. For claim 32. Zou discloses all the limitations of claim 28, however Zou doesn’t teach: wherein selecting, based on the physical layer signaling, one or more logical channels for the uplink transmission comprises: selecting one or more medium access control (MAC) service data units (SDUs) associated with the one or more logical channels for the uplink transmission. Park from the same or similar fields of endeavor teaches: wherein selecting, based on the physical layer signaling, one or more logical channels for the uplink transmission comprises: selecting one or more medium access control (MAC) service data units (SDUs) associated with the one or more logical channels for the uplink transmission. (Park, fig 6, paragraph 36-38, “Data stored in transmission buffers (TxBuffer1 to TxBuffer3) corresponding to each logical channel respectively are transferred to the MAC layer through a corresponding logical channel in a type of MAC SDU (MAC Service Data Unit). The MAC layer generates MAC PDU (MAC Protocol Data Unit) and then transfers the generated MAC PDU to the physical layer, wherein the MAC PDU includes at least part of the MAC SDU received through each logical channel. In FIG. 6, since LoCH1 and LoCH2 undergo multiplexing in the MAC layer, MAC SDUs transferred through LoCH1 and LoCH2 are included in one MAC PDU.”) Thus it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to implement the teachings of Park into Zou, since Zou suggests a technique for data transmission, and Park suggests the beneficial way of including into such technique using MAC SDUs to transfer data corresponding to each logical channel to the MAC layer and multiplex such MAC SDUs into a MAC PDU since it’s well-known in the art to use MAC SDUs to transfer data corresponding to each logical channel to the MAC layer and multiplex such MAC SDUS into a MAC PDU for data transmission (Park, fig 6, paragraph 36-38) thus doing so would ease implementation and improve compatibility in the analogous art of communication. For claim 33. Zou and Park disclose all the limitations of claim 32, however Zou doesn’t teach: further comprising: multiplexing the selected one or more MAC SDUs into a MAC protocol data unit (PDU). Park from the same or similar fields of endeavor teaches: further comprising: multiplexing the selected one or more MAC SDUs into a MAC protocol data unit (PDU). (Park, fig 6, paragraph 36-38, “Data stored in transmission buffers (TxBuffer1 to TxBuffer3) corresponding to each logical channel respectively are transferred to the MAC layer through a corresponding logical channel in a type of MAC SDU (MAC Service Data Unit). The MAC layer generates MAC PDU (MAC Protocol Data Unit) and then transfers the generated MAC PDU to the physical layer, wherein the MAC PDU includes at least part of the MAC SDU received through each logical channel. In FIG. 6, since LoCH1 and LoCH2 undergo multiplexing in the MAC layer, MAC SDUs transferred through LoCH1 and LoCH2 are included in one MAC PDU.”) Thus it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to implement the teachings of Park into Zou, since Zou suggests a technique for data transmission, and Park suggests the beneficial way of including into such technique using MAC SDUs to transfer data corresponding to each logical channel to the MAC layer and multiplex such MAC SDUs into a MAC PDU since it’s well-known in the art to use MAC SDUs to transfer data corresponding to each logical channel to the MAC layer and multiplex such MAC SDUS into a MAC PDU for data transmission (Park, fig 6, paragraph 36-38) thus doing so would ease implementation and improve compatibility in the analogous art of communication. For claim 34. Zou and Park disclose all the limitations of claim 33, however Zou doesn’t teach: wherein a first set of MAC SDUs comprises the selected one or more MAC SDUs, and wherein method further comprises: selecting a second set of one or more MAC SDUs; and multiplexing the selected second set of one or more MAC SDUs into the MAC PDU. Park from the same or similar fields of endeavor teaches: wherein a first set of MAC SDUs comprises the selected one or more MAC SDUs, and wherein method further comprises: selecting a second set of one or more MAC SDUs; and multiplexing the selected second set of one or more MAC SDUs into the MAC PDU. (Park, fig 6, paragraph 36-38, “Data stored in transmission buffers (TxBuffer1 to TxBuffer3) corresponding to each logical channel respectively are transferred to the MAC layer through a corresponding logical channel in a type of MAC SDU (MAC Service Data Unit). The MAC layer generates MAC PDU (MAC Protocol Data Unit) and then transfers the generated MAC PDU to the physical layer, wherein the MAC PDU includes at least part of the MAC SDU received through each logical channel. In FIG. 6, since LoCH1 and LoCH2 undergo multiplexing in the MAC layer, MAC SDUs transferred through LoCH1 and LoCH2 are included in one MAC PDU.”; multiple MAC SDUs for multiple logical channels) Thus it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to implement the teachings of Park into Zou, since Zou suggests a technique for data transmission, and Park suggests the beneficial way of including into such technique using MAC SDUs to transfer data corresponding to each logical channel to the MAC layer and multiplex such MAC SDUs into a MAC PDU since it’s well-known in the art to use MAC SDUs to transfer data corresponding to each logical channel to the MAC layer and multiplex such MAC SDUS into a MAC PDU for data transmission (Park, fig 6, paragraph 36-38) thus doing so would ease implementation and improve compatibility in the analogous art of communication. Claims 25, 35 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Zou, WO 2016177177 A1 in view of Wikstrom, US 20190044642. For claim 25. Zou discloses all the limitations of claim 18, however Zou doesn’t teach: wherein the processor is further configured to determine a transport block size associated with the uplink transmission. Wikstrom from the same or similar fields of endeavor teaches: wherein the processor is further configured to determine a transport block size associated with the uplink transmission. (Wikstrom, fig 7, paragraph 7-8, “According to a first aspect, an apparatus for selecting a Transport Block Size (TBS) for a transmitter of a communication system is provided. The communication system supports variable Transmission Time Interval (TTI) lengths regarding the number of symbols to be transmitted in one TI. The apparatus is configured to receive first information indicative of a TTI length, receive second Information indicative of a number of reference symbols included in the TTI, decode, from the first information, the TTI length, and decode, from the second information, the number of reference symbols included in the TTI. The apparatus is further configured to calculate, based on the TTI length and based on the number of reference symbols included in the TTI, a number of data symbols included in the TTI, calculate, based on an allocation bandwidth and based on the number of data symbols included in the TTI, a number of data Resource Elements (REs) in the TTI, and select the TBS from a data structure, based on the calculated number of data REs. According to a second aspect, a User Equipment (UE) is provided, the UE comprising the apparatus of the first aspect.”; paragraph 19-33, “The apparatus may be configured to calculate the number of data symbols included in the TTI by using the equation D=L−R, wherein D is the number of data symbols included in the TTI, L is the TTI length represented by the number of symbols to be transmitted in one TTI, and R is the number of reference symbols included in the TTI. The above calculation may be performed for determining the number D of data symbols included in the uplink (UL) TTI. In this disclosure, uplink (UL) describes communication (i.e., data flow) from the UE to the base station (e.g., an eNB) and downlink (DL) describes communication from the base station to the UE. The apparatus may be configured to calculate the number of data REs in the TTI by using the equation N=B*D*S, wherein N is the number of data REs in the TTI, B is the allocation bandwidth represented by a number of Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs), D is the number of data symbols included in the TTI, and S is the number of subcarriers in one PRB… The apparatus may be configured to select the TBS from the data structure, based on the calculated number of data REs and based on a TBS Index… The TTI may be a short TTI (sTTI).”) Thus it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to implement the teachings of Wikstrom into Zou, since Zou suggests a technique for communication using short TTI, and Wikstrom suggests the beneficial way of including into such technique the selecting a TBS based on number of data Resource Elements in the TTI for such communication to accommodate different TTI lengths and varying number of reference symbols (Wikstrom, paragraph 102) in the analogous art of communication. For claim 35. Zou discloses all the limitations of claim 28, however Zou doesn’t teach: further comprising determining a transport block size associated with the uplink transmission. Wikstrom from the same or similar fields of endeavor teaches: further comprising determining a transport block size associated with the uplink transmission. (Wikstrom, fig 7, paragraph 7-8, “According to a first aspect, an apparatus for selecting a Transport Block Size (TBS) for a transmitter of a communication system is provided. The communication system supports variable Transmission Time Interval (TTI) lengths regarding the number of symbols to be transmitted in one TI. The apparatus is configured to receive first information indicative of a TTI length, receive second Information indicative of a number of reference symbols included in the TTI, decode, from the first information, the TTI length, and decode, from the second information, the number of reference symbols included in the TTI. The apparatus is further configured to calculate, based on the TTI length and based on the number of reference symbols included in the TTI, a number of data symbols included in the TTI, calculate, based on an allocation bandwidth and based on the number of data symbols included in the TTI, a number of data Resource Elements (REs) in the TTI, and select the TBS from a data structure, based on the calculated number of data REs. According to a second aspect, a User Equipment (UE) is provided, the UE comprising the apparatus of the first aspect.”; paragraph 19-33, “The apparatus may be configured to calculate the number of data symbols included in the TTI by using the equation D=L−R, wherein D is the number of data symbols included in the TTI, L is the TTI length represented by the number of symbols to be transmitted in one TTI, and R is the number of reference symbols included in the TTI. The above calculation may be performed for determining the number D of data symbols included in the uplink (UL) TTI. In this disclosure, uplink (UL) describes communication (i.e., data flow) from the UE to the base station (e.g., an eNB) and downlink (DL) describes communication from the base station to the UE. The apparatus may be configured to calculate the number of data REs in the TTI by using the equation N=B*D*S, wherein N is the number of data REs in the TTI, B is the allocation bandwidth represented by a number of Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs), D is the number of data symbols included in the TTI, and S is the number of subcarriers in one PRB… The apparatus may be configured to select the TBS from the data structure, based on the calculated number of data REs and based on a TBS Index… The TTI may be a short TTI (sTTI).”) Thus it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to implement the teachings of Wikstrom into Zou, since Zou suggests a technique for communication using short TTI, and Wikstrom suggests the beneficial way of including into such technique the selecting a TBS based on number of data Resource Elements in the TTI for such communication to accommodate different TTI lengths and varying number of reference symbols (Wikstrom, paragraph 102) in the analogous art of communication. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to KHOA B HUYNH whose telephone number is (571)270-7185. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday 1:00 PM - 9:35 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, Yemane Mesfin can be reached at (571) 272-3927. 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. /KHOA HUYNH/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2462
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Prosecution Timeline

Aug 23, 2024
Application Filed
Sep 27, 2024
Response after Non-Final Action
Apr 01, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
Oct 02, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102, §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
80%
Grant Probability
90%
With Interview (+9.5%)
2y 11m (~9m remaining)
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