Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 02, 2026
Application No. 19/034,283

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR OFF-DEMAND BASED CONTENT DOWNLOADING

Final Rejection §103
Filed
Jan 22, 2025
Priority
Jul 26, 2022 — RE 10-2022-0092470 +1 more
Examiner
CHOWDHURY, SUMAIYA A
Art Unit
2421
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
SK Inc.
OA Round
2 (Final)
70%
Grant Probability
Favorable
3-4
OA Rounds
1y 4m
Est. Remaining
98%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 70% — above average
70%
Career Allowance Rate
309 granted / 443 resolved
+11.8% vs TC avg
Strong +29% interview lift
Without
With
+28.7%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 0m
Avg Prosecution
17 currently pending
Career history
462
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
12.2%
-27.8% vs TC avg
§103
54.8%
+14.8% vs TC avg
§102
17.7%
-22.3% vs TC avg
§112
8.0%
-32.0% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 443 resolved cases

Office Action

§103
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 . Response to Arguments Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) 1-12 have been considered but are moot in view of new grounds of rejection. Examiner has brought in Mahalingam (2024/0147370) and Eloy (2002/0097689) to disclose newly amended features. 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, 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. Claim(s) 1, 3-5, 9, and 10 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Ramakrishnan (2015/0121413) in view of Mahalingam (2024/0147370) and Eloy (2002/0097689). As for claims 1 and 10, Ramakrishnan discloses a method of operating a terminal for pre-downloading content ahead of a user's request, the method comprising: obtaining an identifier assigned to the terminal (Collects information regarding mobile communication device; [0019], [0024]); obtaining a list of one or more contents curated through personalized recommendations for the user (Recommendation server 130 provides a recommendation list to mobile communication device based on user’s media activity; [0022], [0026], [0028], [0059]); and downloading at least some of the one or more contents in one or more time periods (non-peak hours and/or during hours of reduced traffic and/or download costs) which are determined based on the identifier within a predefined pre-download period (The mobile communication device pre-fetches media content during hours of reduced traffic and/or download costs; [0052]). However, Ramakrishnan fails to disclose: Wherein the pre-defined pre-download period comprises a plurality of frames, each frame including a plurality of slots, The downloading comprises switching between a wake-up mode in which pre-downloading is enabled and a sleep mode in which pre-downloading is disabled, based on a target slot determined by the identifier for each of the plurality of frames, and A position of the target slot within each frame is different across the plurality of frames. In an analogous art, Mahalingam discloses: Wherein the pre-defined pre-download period comprises a plurality of frames (During a wake-up cycle, the end-user device becomes active and data is transmitted for later consumption. The end-user device is woken up based on the identity of the end-user device; [0091], [0092]), The downloading comprises switching between a wake-up mode in which pre-downloading is enabled and a sleep mode in which pre-downloading is disabled, It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Ramakrishnan’s invention to include the abovementioned limitation, as taught by Mahalingam, for the advantage of energy conservation. However, Ramakrishnan and Mahalingam fail to disclose: each frame including a plurality of slots, the downloading is based on a target slot determined by the identifier for each of the plurality of frames, A position of the target slot within each frame is different across the plurality of frames. In an analogous art, Eloy discloses: each frame including a plurality of slots (Each time frame includes a plurality of time slots; [0014], [0016], [0033]), the downloading is based on a target slot determined by the identifier for each of the plurality of frames ([0037]-[0039]), A position of the target slot within each frame is different across the plurality of frames (The slot for each frame changes; [0037]-[0039]). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Ramakrishnan and Mahalingam’s invention to include the abovementioned limitation, as taught by Eloy, for the advantage of preventing interference between receivers. As for claim 3, Ramakrishnan discloses wherein the downloading is initiated without receiving a download request from the user (Content is pre-fetched according to recommendations; [0044], [0048], [0017]). As for claim 4, the modified Ramakrishnan discloses wherein: the switching between a wake-up mode and a sleep mode, is performed based on a wake-up time point and a sleep time point (Mahalingam: [0189]) the sleep time point is set based on an end time point of the target slot in a current frame (Eloy: [0037]-[0039]), and the wake-up time point is set based on a start time point of a target slot of a next frame (Eloy: [0037]-[0039])and the wakeup point is set based on whether there is content that has not been completely downloaded by the sleep time point (Mahalingam: [0091], [0107], [0147]). As for claim 5, Ramakrishnan discloses wherein the downloading further comprises: switching to the sleep mode even before the end time point or remaining in the sleep mode even after the start time point, based on whether a wireless connection status of the terminal satisfies a predetermined condition (“Wi-fi connection has degraded substantially…stop further pre-fetching activity”; [0049]). As for claim 9, Ramakrishnan discloses a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing instructions for causing, when executed by a computer, the computer to perform the method according to claim 1 (see rejection of claim 1). Claim(s) 2 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Ramakrishnan, Mahalingam and Eloy as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Grunewald (2017/0351388). As for claim 2, Ramakrishnan, Mahalingam and Eloy fail to disclose wherein the identifier and the list are obtained in an initial configuration procedure following execution of an application installed in the terminal. In an analogous art, Grunewald discloses wherein the identifier and the list are obtained in an initial configuration procedure following execution of an application installed in the terminal ([0080]-[0082]). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Ramakrishnan, Mahalingam and Eloy’s invention to include the abovementioned limitation, as taught by Grunewald, for the advantage of simplifying the process of installing relevant content to the user. Claim(s) 6 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Ramakrishnan, Mahalingam and Eloy as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Cornelius (2015/0074022). As for claim 6, Ramakrishnan, Mahalingam, and Eloy fails to disclose further comprising, after the downloading, deleting incomplete content which has not been completely downloaded within the pre- download period. In an analogous art, Cornelius discloses after the downloading, deleting incomplete content which has not been completely downloaded within the pre- download period ([0031]). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Ramakrishnan, Mahalingam and Eloy’s invention to include the abovementioned limitation, as taught by Cornelius, for the advantage of conserving memory. Claim(s) 7 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Ramakrishnan, Mahalingam, and Eloy as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Tomay (2014/0365617). As for claim 7, Ramakrishnan, Mahalingam and Eloy fail to disclose further comprising, after the downloading, downloading a remaining portion of incomplete content, which has not been completely downloaded within the pre-download period, in a next pre-download period. In an analogous art, Tomay discloses after the downloading, downloading a remaining portion of incomplete content, which has not been completely downloaded within the pre-download period, in a next pre-download period ([0094]). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Ramakrishnan, Mahalingam and Eloy’s invention to include the abovementioned limitation, as taught by Tomay, for the advantage of conserving network resources. Claim(s) 8 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Ramakrishnan, Mahalingam and Eloy as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Wen (2015/0358689). As for claim 8, Ramakrishnan, Mahalingam and Eloy fail to disclose after the downloading, based on whether incomplete content, which has not been completely downloaded within the pre-download period, is selected as playback content, streaming playback of a remaining portion of the incomplete content. In an analogous art, Wen discloses after the downloading, based on whether incomplete content, which has not been completely downloaded within the pre-download period, is selected as playback content, streaming playback of a remaining portion of the incomplete content (With start of pre-fetched portion, computing device streams remainder of the content [0087]). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Ramakrishnan, Mahalingam and Eloy’s invention to include the abovementioned limitation, as taught by Wen, for the advantage of reducing unnecessary downloads. Claim(s) 11 and 12 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Ramakrishnan, Mahalingam and Eloy as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Chen (2024/0004086). As for claim 11, Ramakrishnan, Mahalingam and Eloy fail to disclose switching to the sleep mode even before an end time point of target slot or remaining in the sleep mode even after a start time of the target slot, based on whether a location of the terminal satisfies a predetermined condition. In an analogous art, Chen discloses switching to the sleep mode even before an end time point of target slot or remaining in the sleep mode even after a start time of the target slot, based on whether a location of the terminal satisfies a predetermined condition ([0028]-[0029]). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Ramakrishnan, Mahalingam and Eloy’s invention to include the abovementioned limitation, as taught by Chen, for the advantage of reducing power consumption. As for claim 12, Ramakrishnan, Mahalingam and Eloy fail to disclose switching to the sleep mode even before an end time point of target slot or remaining in the sleep mode even after a start time of the target slot, based on whether a current time satisfies a predetermined condition. In an analogous art, Chen discloses switching to the sleep mode even before an end time point of target slot or remaining in the sleep mode even after a start time of the target slot, based on whether a current time satisfies a predetermined condition ([0077], [0078], [0087], [0109]). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Ramakrishnan, Mahalingam and Eloy’s invention to include the abovementioned limitation, as taught by Chen, for the advantage of reducing power consumption. Relevant Prior Art Sasaki (2021/0124477) discloses downloading content prior to a scheduled output period. The content is correlated to the received terminal ID. Conclusion Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a). A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to SUMAIYA A CHOWDHURY whose telephone number is (571)272-8567. The examiner can normally be reached 9:00-3:00 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, NATHAN FLYNN can be reached at (571)272-1915. 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. SUMAIYA A. CHOWDHURY Examiner Art Unit 2421 /SUMAIYA A CHOWDHURY/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2421
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Prosecution Timeline

Jan 22, 2025
Application Filed
Apr 27, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103
Jul 24, 2026
Response Filed
Aug 10, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §103 (current)

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Prosecution Projections

3-4
Expected OA Rounds
70%
Grant Probability
98%
With Interview (+28.7%)
3y 0m (~1y 4m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
PTA Risk
Based on 443 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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