Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 23, 2026
Application No. 19/299,643

INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD AND APPARATUS AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

Non-Final OA §102§112
Filed
Aug 14, 2025
Priority
Feb 15, 2023 — continuation of PCTCN2023076152
Examiner
KEEHN, RICHARD G
Art Unit
2444
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
1FINITY Inc.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
80%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
1y 8m
Est. Remaining
95%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 80% — above average
80%
Career Allowance Rate
684 granted / 860 resolved
+21.5% vs TC avg
Strong +16% interview lift
Without
With
+15.5%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 10m
Avg Prosecution
11 currently pending
Career history
870
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
12.2%
-27.8% vs TC avg
§103
52.9%
+12.9% vs TC avg
§102
13.7%
-26.3% vs TC avg
§112
15.5%
-24.5% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 860 resolved cases

Office Action

§102 §112
DETAILED ACTION Claims 1-20 are pending and have been examined. 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 § 112 The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b): (b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention. The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph: The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention. Claims 18 and 19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention. Claim 18 recites the limitation "the MAC (media access control) CE (control element)" in the first limitation. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Claim 19 incorporates the limitation of Claim 18 and is therefore also rejected. 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. (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 1-15 and 17-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by US 2026/0222093 A1 (Chen et al.) {claiming priority date of CN-20230056948.8 – Jan. 19, 2023}. As to Claim 1, Chen et al. anticipate an information processing apparatus, configured in a terminal equipment (Chen et al. – Fig. 1, element 1 and ¶ [0225]), the information processing apparatus comprising: processor circuitry configured to trigger delay information report (Chen et al. recite: ”step S310: obtaining configuration information transmitted by a network-side device, where the configuration information is used to configure a condition and/or a resource for the terminal to report a delay information report” - ¶ [0242] and Fig. 3. Once the terminal receives the configuration information, the receipt triggers the generation of the delay information report. The network-side device then receives the delay information report transmitted by the terminal that generated the report); and a transmitter configured to transmit the delay information to a network device, the delay information comprising a first remaining time and a first time point associated with the first remaining time (Chen et al. recite: ” step S320: transmitting the delay information report of at least one data group to the network-side device according to the configuration information, where the delay information report includes remaining time information of the at least one data group relative to a reference time” - ¶ [0243] and Fig. 3), and/or, the delay information comprising a second remaining time, the second remaining time being a second deadline and/or a time associated with a second time point (Chen et al. recite: ” step S320: transmitting the delay information report of at least one data group {plurality of groups indicates a second remaining time} to the network-side device according to the configuration information, where the delay information report includes remaining time information of the at least one data group relative to a reference time” - ¶ [0243] and Fig. 3). As to Claim 2, Chen et al. anticipate the apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, the delay information report is a buffer status report (Chen et al. - ¶¶ [0005, 0010, 0020, 0027]). As to Claim 3, Chen et al. anticipate the apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises: a generator configured to generate an MAC (media access control) CE (control element) comprising the delay information (Chen et al. - ¶ [0027]). As to Claim 4, Chen et al. anticipate the apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, the MAC CE is an MAC CE different from a BSR (buffer status report) MAC CE (Chen et al. - ¶ [0027]). As to Claim 5, Chen et al. anticipate the apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, the delay information is information associated with data volume information of data to be transmitted (Chen et al. - ¶ [0027]), and/or the first remaining time and/or the second remaining time is/are a time/times associated with the data volume information of the data to be transmitted (Chen et al. - ¶ [0027]). As to Claim 6, Chen et al. anticipate the apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, the delay information and the data volume information are included in the same MAC CE (Chen et al. - ¶ [0027]). As to Claim 7, Chen et al. anticipate the apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, the data to be transmitted are data buffered in a PDU (protocol data unit) set or a logical channel group or a logical channel (Chen et al. - ¶¶ [0035, 0066]), and/or, the data to be transmitted are data buffered by a PDCP (packet data convergence protocol) entity and/or data buffered by an RLC (radio link control) entity (Chen et al. - ¶¶ [0046, 0324]). As to Claim 8, Chen et al. anticipate the apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first remaining time and/or the second remaining time is/are as follows that: the data to be transmitted are transmitted to the network device within the first remaining time and/or the second remaining time (Chen et al. - ¶ [0057]); or, the data to be transmitted are transmitted to the network device before the second remaining time (Chen et al. - ¶ [0057]). As to Claim 9, Chen et al. anticipate the apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, the first remaining time is a time derived based on the first time point (Chen et al. recite: ” step S320: transmitting the delay information report of at least one data group to the network-side device according to the configuration information, where the delay information report includes remaining time information of the at least one data group relative to a reference time” - ¶ [0243] and Fig. 3); and/or, the second remaining time is a time derived based on the second time point (Chen et al. recite: ” step S320: transmitting the delay information report of at least one data group {plurality of groups indicates a second remaining time} to the network-side device according to the configuration information, where the delay information report includes remaining time information of the at least one data group relative to a reference time” - ¶ [0243] and Fig. 3). As to Claim 10, Chen et al. anticipate the apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, the second time point is configured by a network or is preset (Chen et al. - ¶ [0057]). As to Claim 11, Chen et al. anticipate the apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, the second time point comprises a time point at which the MAC CE including the delay information is transmitted (Chen et al. - ¶ [0010]). As to Claim 12, Chen et al. anticipate the apparatus according to claim 11, wherein, the time point at which the MAC CE including the delay information is transmitted comprises the first SFN (system frame number) and/or symbol and/or slot of uplink resources for new transmission, or the last SFN and/or symbol and/or slot of uplink resources for new transmission (Chen et al. - ¶ [0270]). As to Claim 13, Chen et al. anticipate the apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, the processor circuitry is configured to trigger a scheduling request (SR) when delay information report is triggered and a condition is met (Chen et al. - ¶ [0057]). As to Claim 14, Chen et al. anticipate the apparatus according to claim 13, wherein, the condition comprises at least one of the following: there is no newly-transmitted uplink resource; there is a newly-transmitted uplink resource, and the newly-transmitted uplink resource cannot accommodate MAC CE including the delay information and sub header of the MAC CE; there is a newly-transmitted uplink resource, and the newly-transmitted uplink resource is later than a seventh time point; remaining time is 0 or less than a third threshold at a time point corresponding to uplink resource; timer 3 expires at a time point corresponding to uplink resource; PUSCH (physical uplink shared channel) duration of uplink resource is equal to or greater than a second threshold (Chen et al. - ¶ [0133]); subcarrier spacing (SCS) (or index) of a newly-transmitted uplink resource is not included in the PDU set, logical channel group, or subcarrier spacing (or index) set configured for triggering the delay information report. As to Claim 15, Chen et al. anticipate the apparatus according to claim 1, the apparatus further comprising: allocating processor circuitry configured to allocate uplink resources according to a priority of MAC CE including delay information during the logical channel priority processing (Chen et al. - ¶ [0017]); the transmitter is configured to transmit the MAC CE in the uplink resource (Chen et al. - ¶ [0010]). As to Claim 17, Chen et al. anticipate an information processing apparatus, configured in a network device, the information processing apparatus comprising: a receiver configured to receive delay information from a terminal equipment, the delay information comprising a first remaining time and a first time point associated with the first remaining time (Chen et al. recite: ”step S310: obtaining configuration information transmitted by a network-side device, where the configuration information is used to configure a condition and/or a resource for the terminal to report a delay information report” - ¶ [0242] and Fig. 3. Once the terminal receives the configuration information, the receipt triggers the generation of the delay information report. The network-side device {information processing apparatus} then receives the delay information report transmitted by the terminal that generated the report), and/or, the delay information comprising a second remaining time, the second remaining time being a second deadline and/or a time associated with a second time point, the second remaining time being a second deadline and/or a time associated with a second time point (Chen et al. recite: ” step S320: transmitting the delay information report of at least one data group {plurality of groups indicates a second remaining time} to the network-side device according to the configuration information, where the delay information report includes remaining time information of the at least one data group relative to a reference time” - ¶ [0243] and Fig. 3). As to Claim 18, Chen et al. anticipate the apparatus according to claim 17, wherein, the second time point comprises a time point at which the MAC (media access control) CE (control element) including the delay information is transmitted (Chen et al. recite: ” step S320: transmitting the delay information report of at least one data group {plurality of groups indicates a second remaining time} to the network-side device according to the configuration information, where the delay information report includes remaining time information of the at least one data group relative to a reference time” - ¶ [0243] and Fig. 3). As to Claim 19, Chen et al. anticipate the apparatus according to claim 18, wherein, the time point at which the MAC CE including the delay information is transmitted comprises the first SFN (system frame number) and/or symbol and/or slot of uplink resources for new transmission, or the last SFN and/or symbol and/or slot of uplink resources for new transmission (Chen et al. - ¶ [0270]). As to Claim 20, Chen et al. anticipate a communication system, comprising; a network device and a terminal equipment (Chen et al. disclose the terminal equipment and network device as cited below), wherein, the terminal equipment is configured to: trigger a delay information report (Chen et al. recite: ”step S310: obtaining configuration information transmitted by a network-side device, where the configuration information is used to configure a condition and/or a resource for the terminal to report a delay information report” - ¶ [0242] and Fig. 3. Once the terminal {terminal equipment} receives the configuration information, the receipt triggers the generation of the delay information report. The network-side device {network device} then receives the delay information report transmitted by the terminal that generated the report), and transmit the delay information to the network device, the delay information comprising a first remaining time and a first time point associated with the first remaining time (Chen et al. recite: ” step S320: transmitting the delay information report of at least one data group to the network-side device according to the configuration information, where the delay information report includes remaining time information of the at least one data group relative to a reference time” - ¶ [0243] and Fig. 3), and/or, the delay information comprising a second remaining time, the second remaining time being a second deadline and/or a time associated with a second time point (Chen et al. recite: ” step S320: transmitting the delay information report of at least one data group {plurality of groups indicates a second remaining time} to the network-side device according to the configuration information, where the delay information report includes remaining time information of the at least one data group relative to a reference time” - ¶ [0243] and Fig. 3); and the network device receives the delay information from the terminal equipment (Chen et al. recite: ” step S320: transmitting the delay information report of at least one data group {plurality of groups indicates a second remaining time} to the network-side device {network device} according to the configuration information, where the delay information report includes remaining time information of the at least one data group relative to a reference time” - ¶ [0243] and Fig. 3). Allowable Subject Matter Claim 16 is 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. Interview Practice USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) The USPTO AIR is a new optional online interview scheduling tool that allows Applicants to request an interview with an Examiner for their pending patent application. The USPTO AIR form is available on our website at: http://www.uspto.gov/patent/laws-and-regulations/interview-practice. By submitting this type of interview request, the pending patent application will be in compliance with the written authorization requirement for Internet communication in accordance with MPEP §502.03. This authorization will be in effect until the Applicant provides a written withdrawal of authorization to the Examiner of record. If you have questions or need assistance with the USPTO AIR form or with interview practice at the USPTO, please contact an Interview Specialist at http://www.uspto.gov/patent/laws-and-regulations/interview-practice/interview-specialist or send an email to ExaminerInterviewPractice@USPTO.GOV. Examiner Notes: A) Prior to conducting any interview (whether using AIR or not), Applicant(s) must submit an agenda including the proposed date and time, all arguments in writing, and proposed claim amendments (if applicable). Any proposed amendments or arguments not presented in the agenda will only be heard by the Examiner, but because the Examiner will not have heard them in advance and been given an equitable opportunity to consider them, no decision will be rendered, nor agreement made. ALL AGENDAS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE EXAMINER AT LEAST 24 HOURS PRIOR TO THE START OF THE INTERVIEW, OR THE PREVIOUS BUSINESS DAY, WHICHEVER IS LONGER, or the interview may have to be rescheduled. B) After-final interviews may be granted, but the agenda must be in compliance with MPEP 713.09 which limits the interview only to discussions of proposed amendments, or clarification for appeal. After-final interviews are not to be conducted for the purpose of rehashing previously made arguments. After seeing the agenda, Examiner will decide whether to grant or deny the interview. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. See Form PTO-892. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to RICHARD G KEEHN whose telephone number is (571)270-5007. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9:00am - 5:00pm Eastern. 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, John A Follansbee can be reached at 571-272-3964. 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. /RICHARD G KEEHN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2444
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Aug 14, 2025
Application Filed
Oct 01, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102, §112 (current)

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
80%
Grant Probability
95%
With Interview (+15.5%)
2y 10m (~1y 8m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 860 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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