Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 02, 2026
Application No. 18/861,439

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR REPORTING IDC PROBLEM IN MOBILE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

Non-Final OA §102
Filed
Oct 29, 2024
Priority
Apr 29, 2022 — RE 10-2022-0053570 +1 more
Examiner
CASTANEYRA, RICARDO H
Art Unit
Tech Center
Assignee
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
74%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
9m
Est. Remaining
97%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 74% — above average
74%
Career Allowance Rate
322 granted / 433 resolved
+14.4% vs TC avg
Strong +23% interview lift
Without
With
+22.8%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 8m
Avg Prosecution
31 currently pending
Career history
459
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
3.8%
-36.2% vs TC avg
§103
61.1%
+21.1% vs TC avg
§102
13.5%
-26.5% vs TC avg
§112
12.8%
-27.2% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 433 resolved cases

Office Action

§102
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 . This office action is a response to an application filed on 10/29/2024 in which claims 16-35 are pending. Claims 1-15 were canceled. Priority Acknowledgment is made of applicant’s claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 (a)-(d). Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55. Information Disclosure Statement The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 10/29/2024 has been considered by the examiner. The submission is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102 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 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. Claims 16-35 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Lee et al. (US 2017/0245199) (provided in the IDS), hereinafter “Lee”. As to claim 16, Lee teaches a method performed by a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system (Lee, Fig. 12, [0102], a method for performing autonomous denial for dual connectivity between a UE and a MeNB), the method comprising: receiving, from a base station, autonomous denial information (Lee, Fig. 12, [0103], the autonomous denial information is received from the MeNB) associated with an in-device coexistence (IDC) (Lee, [0088], the autonomous denial is applied for serving cells causing the IDC) for a cell group (Lee, Fig. 12, [0103], “an autonomous denial rate for MCG (‘A’) and an autonomous denial rate for SCG (‘B’)”); identifying a problem of the IDC (Lee, [0055]-[0058], the UE determines IDC problems); and in case that the problem of the IDC is identified (Lee, [0055]-[0058], the UE determines IDC problems. Fig. 12, [0104]-[0105], the UE determines that performing the autonomous denial is necessary), determining to deny a transmission in an uplink (UL) slot for the cell group based on the autonomous denial information (Lee, [0062]-[0063], Table 1, [0064], “the maximum number of the UL subframes for which the UE is allowed to deny any UL transmission”, [0090], “the UE may perform autonomous denial by applying the configured autonomous denial rate to serving cells in the configured cell group”, Fig. 12, [0104]-[0105], the UE determines that performing the autonomous denial is necessary and performs autonomous denial on the corresponding cell group (i.e. MCG and SCG)). As to claim 17, Lee teaches wherein the autonomous denial information includes first information indicating a maximum number of the UL slot for denying the transmission (Lee, [0063], Table 1, the autonomous denial configuration includes different parameters and values, [0064], “The autonomousDenialSubframes field indicates the maximum number of the UL subframes for which the UE is allowed to deny any UL transmission”). As to claim 18, Lee teaches wherein the autonomous denial information includes second information indicating a validity period associated with the UL slot for denying the transmission (Lee, [0063], Table 1, the autonomous denial configuration includes different parameters and values, [0064], “The autonomousDenialValidity field indicates the validity period over which the UL autonomous denial subframes shall be counted”). As to claim 19, Lee teaches wherein the autonomous denial information is configured per cell group (Lee, Fig. 12, [0103], “an autonomous denial rate for MCG (‘A’) and an autonomous denial rate for SCG (‘B’)”). As to claim 20, Lee teaches further comprising: transmitting, to the base station (Lee, [0055], “When a UE experiences IDC problems that it cannot solve by itself and a network intervention is required, it sends an IDC indication via dedicated RRC signaling to report the IDC problems to the eNB”), an UE assistance information message including an affected carrier frequency list (Lee, [0061], “To assist the eNB in selecting an appropriate solution, all necessary/available assistance information for both FDM and TDM solutions is sent together in the IDC indication to the eNB. The IDC assistance information contains the list of E-UTRA carriers suffering from IDC problems, the direction of the interference…”) and an affected carrier frequency combination list (Lee, [0008], [0055]-[0058], [0061], the assistance information includes the list of carries suffering from IDC problems, such as primary frequency, secondary frequency, a non-serving frequency. IDC is caused by the proximity of multiple radio transceivers within the same UE operating on adjacent frequencies or sub-harmonic frequencies). As to claim 21, Lee teaches a method performed by a base station in a wireless communication system (Lee, Fig. 12, [0102], a method for performing autonomous denial for dual connectivity between a UE and a MeNB), the method comprising: generating, autonomous denial information associated with an in-device coexistence (IDC) for a cell group (Lee, [0059], [0061]-[0064], Table 1, Fig. 12, [0103], the MeNB configures the autonomous denial via RRC signaling that include multiple values and parameters. [0091], the network configures an autonomous denial rate per cell group and a cell group to which the corresponding autonomous denial rate is to be applied to the UE); and transmitting, to a user equipment (UE), the autonomous denial information (Lee, Fig. 12, [0103], the autonomous denial information is transmitted from the MeNB to the UE); wherein the autonomous denial information is associated with denying a transmission of an uplink (UL) slot for the cell group (Lee, [0062]-[0063], Table 1, [0064], “the maximum number of the UL subframes for which the UE is allowed to deny any UL transmission”, [0090], “the UE may perform autonomous denial by applying the configured autonomous denial rate to serving cells in the configured cell group”, Fig. 12, [0104]-[0105], the UE determines that performing the autonomous denial is necessary and performs autonomous denial on the corresponding cell group (i.e. MCG and SCG)) based on an identification of the IDC (Lee, [0055]-[0058], the UE determines IDC problems. Fig. 12, [0104]-[0105], the UE determines that performing the autonomous denial is necessary). As to claim 22, Lee teaches wherein the autonomous denial information includes first information indicating a maximum number of the UL slot for denying the transmission (Lee, [0063], Table 1, the autonomous denial configuration includes different parameters and values, [0064], “The autonomousDenialSubframes field indicates the maximum number of the UL subframes for which the UE is allowed to deny any UL transmission”). As to claim 23, Lee teaches wherein the autonomous denial information includes second information indicating a validity period associated with the UL slot for denying the transmission (Lee, [0063], Table 1, the autonomous denial configuration includes different parameters and values, [0064], “The autonomousDenialValidity field indicates the validity period over which the UL autonomous denial subframes shall be counted”). As to claim 24, Lee teaches wherein the base station configures the autonomous denial information per cell group (Lee, [0091], Fig. 12, [0103], “the MeNB transmits the RRC connection reconfiguration message which includes an autonomous denial rate for MCG (‘A’) and an autonomous denial rate for SCG (‘B’)”). As to claim 25, Lee teaches further comprising: receiving, from the UE (Lee, [0055], “When a UE experiences IDC problems that it cannot solve by itself and a network intervention is required, it sends an IDC indication via dedicated RRC signaling to report the IDC problems to the eNB”), an UE assistance information message including an affected carrier frequency list (Lee, [0061], “To assist the eNB in selecting an appropriate solution, all necessary/available assistance information for both FDM and TDM solutions is sent together in the IDC indication to the eNB. The IDC assistance information contains the list of E-UTRA carriers suffering from IDC problems, the direction of the interference…”) and an affected carrier frequency combination list (Lee, [0008], [0055]-[0058], [0061], the assistance information includes the list of carries suffering from IDC problems, such as primary frequency, secondary frequency, a non-serving frequency. IDC is caused by the proximity of multiple radio transceivers within the same UE operating on adjacent frequencies or sub-harmonic frequencies). As to claim 26, Lee teaches a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system (Lee, Fig. 12, [0102], a method for performing autonomous denial for dual connectivity between a UE and a MeNB), the UE comprising: a transceiver (Lee, Fig. 13, [0108]-[0109], the UE includes a transceiver 930); and a controller configured to (Lee, Fig. 13, [0108]-[0109], the UE includes a processor to perform the functions of the UE): receive, from a base station, autonomous denial information (Lee, Fig. 12, [0103], the autonomous denial information is received from the MeNB) associated with an in-device coexistence (IDC) (Lee, [0088], the autonomous denial is applied for serving cells causing the IDC) for a cell group (Lee, Fig. 12, [0103], “an autonomous denial rate for MCG (‘A’) and an autonomous denial rate for SCG (‘B’)”), identify a problem of the IDC (Lee, [0055]-[0058], the UE determines IDC problems), and in case that the problem of the IDC is identified (Lee, [0055]-[0058], the UE determines IDC problems. Fig. 12, [0104]-[0105], the UE determines that performing the autonomous denial is necessary), determine to deny a transmission in an uplink (UL) slot for the cell group based on the autonomous denial information (Lee, [0062]-[0063], Table 1, [0064], “the maximum number of the UL subframes for which the UE is allowed to deny any UL transmission”, [0090], “the UE may perform autonomous denial by applying the configured autonomous denial rate to serving cells in the configured cell group”, Fig. 12, [0104]-[0105], the UE determines that performing the autonomous denial is necessary and performs autonomous denial on the corresponding cell group (i.e. MCG and SCG)). As to claim 27, Lee teaches wherein the autonomous denial information includes first information indicating a maximum number of the UL slot for denying the transmission (Lee, [0063], Table 1, the autonomous denial configuration includes different parameters and values, [0064], “The autonomousDenialSubframes field indicates the maximum number of the UL subframes for which the UE is allowed to deny any UL transmission”). As to claim 28, Lee teaches wherein the autonomous denial information includes second information indicating a validity period associated with the UL slot for denying the transmission (Lee, [0063], Table 1, the autonomous denial configuration includes different parameters and values, [0064], “The autonomousDenialValidity field indicates the validity period over which the UL autonomous denial subframes shall be counted”). As to claim 29, Lee teaches wherein the autonomous denial information is configured per cell group (Lee, Fig. 12, [0103], “an autonomous denial rate for MCG (‘A’) and an autonomous denial rate for SCG (‘B’)”). As to claim 30, Lee teaches wherein the controller is further configured to: transmit, to the base station (Lee, [0055], “When a UE experiences IDC problems that it cannot solve by itself and a network intervention is required, it sends an IDC indication via dedicated RRC signaling to report the IDC problems to the eNB”), an UE assistance information message including an affected carrier frequency list (Lee, [0061], “To assist the eNB in selecting an appropriate solution, all necessary/available assistance information for both FDM and TDM solutions is sent together in the IDC indication to the eNB. The IDC assistance information contains the list of E-UTRA carriers suffering from IDC problems, the direction of the interference…”) and an affected carrier frequency combination list (Lee, [0008], [0055]-[0058], [0061], the assistance information includes the list of carries suffering from IDC problems, such as primary frequency, secondary frequency, a non-serving frequency. IDC is caused by the proximity of multiple radio transceivers within the same UE operating on adjacent frequencies or sub-harmonic frequencies). As to claim 31, Lee teaches a base station in a wireless communication system (Lee, Fig. 12, [0102], a method for performing autonomous denial for dual connectivity between a UE and a MeNB), the base station comprising: a transceiver (Lee, Fig. 13, [0107], [0109], the eNB includes a transceiver 830); and a controller configured to (Lee, Fig. 13, [0107], [0109], the eNB includes a processor to perform the functions of the eNB): generate, autonomous denial information associated with an in-device coexistence (IDC) for a cell group (Lee, [0059], [0061]-[0064], Table 1, Fig. 12, [0103], the MeNB configures the autonomous denial via RRC signaling that include multiple values and parameters. [0091], the network configures an autonomous denial rate per cell group and a cell group to which the corresponding autonomous denial rate is to be applied to the UE), and transmit, to a user equipment (UE), the autonomous denial information (Lee, Fig. 12, [0103], the autonomous denial information is transmitted from the MeNB to the UE); wherein the autonomous denial information is associated with denying a transmission of an uplink (UL) slot for the cell group (Lee, [0062]-[0063], Table 1, [0064], “the maximum number of the UL subframes for which the UE is allowed to deny any UL transmission”, [0090], “the UE may perform autonomous denial by applying the configured autonomous denial rate to serving cells in the configured cell group”, Fig. 12, [0104]-[0105], the UE determines that performing the autonomous denial is necessary and performs autonomous denial on the corresponding cell group (i.e. MCG and SCG)) based on an identification of the IDC (Lee, [0055]-[0058], the UE determines IDC problems. Fig. 12, [0104]-[0105], the UE determines that performing the autonomous denial is necessary). As to claim 32, Lee teaches wherein the autonomous denial information includes first information indicating a maximum number of the UL slot for denying the transmission (Lee, [0063], Table 1, the autonomous denial configuration includes different parameters and values, [0064], “The autonomousDenialSubframes field indicates the maximum number of the UL subframes for which the UE is allowed to deny any UL transmission”). As to claim 33, Lee teaches wherein the autonomous denial information includes second information indicating a validity period associated with the UL slot for denying the transmission (Lee, [0063], Table 1, the autonomous denial configuration includes different parameters and values, [0064], “The autonomousDenialValidity field indicates the validity period over which the UL autonomous denial subframes shall be counted”). As to claim 34, Lee teaches wherein the base station configures the autonomous denial information per cell group (Lee, [0091], Fig. 12, [0103], “the MeNB transmits the RRC connection reconfiguration message which includes an autonomous denial rate for MCG (‘A’) and an autonomous denial rate for SCG (‘B’)”). As to claim 35, Lee teaches wherein the controller is further configured to: receive, from the UE (Lee, [0055], “When a UE experiences IDC problems that it cannot solve by itself and a network intervention is required, it sends an IDC indication via dedicated RRC signaling to report the IDC problems to the eNB”), an UE assistance information message including an affected carrier frequency list (Lee, [0061], “To assist the eNB in selecting an appropriate solution, all necessary/available assistance information for both FDM and TDM solutions is sent together in the IDC indication to the eNB. The IDC assistance information contains the list of E-UTRA carriers suffering from IDC problems, the direction of the interference…”) and an affected carrier frequency combination list (Lee, [0008], [0055]-[0058], [0061], the assistance information includes the list of carries suffering from IDC problems, such as primary frequency, secondary frequency, a non-serving frequency. IDC is caused by the proximity of multiple radio transceivers within the same UE operating on adjacent frequencies or sub-harmonic frequencies). Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure: Zhang et al. U.S. Patent No. 9,509,485 – Systems and methods for in-device co-existence interference avoidance for dual connectivity. Fu et al. U.S. Patent No. 9,246,603 – Method of in-device interference mitigation for cellular, Bluetooth, WIFI, and satellite systems coexistence. Dayal et al. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0126552 – Autonomous denial configurations for multi-radio coexistence. Park et al. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0275362 – Devices for interference control signaling. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to RICARDO H CASTANEYRA whose telephone number is (571)272-2486. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9:00am - 5:30pm. 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, Kwang bin Yao can be reached at 571-272-3182. 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. /RICARDO H CASTANEYRA/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2473
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Prosecution Timeline

Oct 29, 2024
Application Filed
Sep 03, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102 (current)

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
74%
Grant Probability
97%
With Interview (+22.8%)
2y 8m (~9m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 433 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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