US 11212838

Summary of U.S. Patent 11,212,838

A concise summary of U.S. Patent 11,212,838 is provided below, including details on the patent's title, assignee, inventors, key dates, and a plain-language overview of its independent claims.

Title: Method and apparatus for transmitting uplink data on uplink resources

Assignee: Pantech Wireless, LLC

Inventors:

• Benoit Pelletier
• Diana Pani
• Rocco DiGirolamo
• Christopher R. Cave
• Vincent Roy
• Paul Marinier
• Eldad M. Zeira

Filing Date: May 23, 2019

Issue Date: December 28, 2021

Abstract:
The patent describes a method and apparatus for a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) to transmit uplink data. The WTRU receives a radio resource control (RRC) message that indicates the specific uplink resources to be used and provides information for a medium access control (MAC) timer. The WTRU then transmits uplink data using these indicated resources. The uplink resources are deactivated when the MAC timer expires, with the timer's configuration being based on the information from the RRC message.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims

U.S. Patent 11,212,838 contains two independent claims (Claim 1 and Claim 6). A plain-language explanation of each is as follows:

Claim 1: This claim describes a wireless communication device (referred to as a WTRU). The device is equipped with a receiver, a transmitter, and a processor. The receiver and processor are configured to get at least one RRC message that specifies which uplink resources the device should use and gives it information for a MAC timer. The transmitter and processor are set up to send uplink data using those specified resources. The key part of this claim is that the processor is designed to automatically shut off the use of these uplink resources once the MAC timer runs out. The timer itself is set up based on the information that came in the RRC message.

Claim 6: This claim outlines a method for a wireless communication device to follow. First, the device receives an RRC message that tells it which uplink resources to use and how to configure a MAC timer. Next, the device transmits its uplink data using those designated resources. Finally, the device deactivates the use of those uplink resources when the MAC timer expires. The timer's duration and behavior are determined by the information provided in the initial RRC message.

Litigation Context

As of May 14, 2026, there is no specific record of litigation involving U.S. Patent 11,212,838 in the USPTO database or the CAFC dockets for 2026. However, the assignee, Pantech, has been actively involved in patent enforcement campaigns. For instance, in July 2025, Pantech filed complaints in the Eastern District of Texas and with the International Trade Commission against several companies, including TCL, HMD Global, OnePlus, Lenovo, and Shenzhen Tinno Mobile Technology, over alleged infringement of patents related to 4G LTE technology. While U.S. Patent 11,212,838 was not among the patents specified in the initial filings of those cases, the broader legal strategy of the assignee is noteworthy.

As of April 26, 2026, Pantech Wireless, LLC is actively asserting US Patent No. 11,212,838 in litigation. The known legal disputes involving this patent are detailed below.

District Court Litigation

Pantech Corp. et al. v. OnePlus Technology (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd.

• Plaintiff(s): Pantech Corporation and Pantech Wireless, LLC
• Defendant(s): OnePlus Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
• Jurisdiction: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
• Case Number: Information on the specific case number for the action involving the '838 patent was not immediately available in the provided search results.
• Filing Date: A case between the parties was filed in March 2025.
• Outcome or Current Status: This case has entered the claim construction phase. Pantech has filed a motion to compel discovery of 4G and 5G license agreements. This is separate from an earlier case between the parties that went to trial in April 2024, which involved different Pantech patents.

U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) Investigation

Pantech has also initiated a broader enforcement campaign that includes a complaint filed with the U.S. ITC.

• Complainant: Pantech Wireless, LLC
• Respondents: TCL, HMD, OnePlus, Lenovo, and Tinno
• Jurisdiction: U.S. International Trade Commission
• Status: An import ban is being sought for products from the respondents. It is important to note that while the '838 patent is part of Pantech's broader litigation efforts, the initial announcements of the ITC complaint explicitly named other patents.

Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) Proceedings

OnePlus Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. v. Pantech Wireless, LLC

• Petitioner: OnePlus Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
• Patent Owner: Pantech Wireless, LLC
• Jurisdiction: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Patent Trial and Appeal Board
• Case Number: IPR2025-00763
• Filing Date: May 14, 2025
• Outcome or Current Status: An Inter Partes Review (IPR) of US Patent No. 11,212,838 has been filed. The petition was filed on May 14, 2025, and the decision on whether to institute the IPR is expected by December 12, 2025.

Based on the provided information and a review of the public record for US Patent 11,212,838, here is an analysis of the AIA trial proceedings.

Proceedings overview

There is one active inter partes review (IPR) filed against US Patent 11,212,838. The Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) has instituted trial on at least one claim, indicating that the petitioner established a reasonable likelihood of proving the challenged claims unpatentable. For a defendant, this is a favorable development, as it signals that the patent faces a significant validity challenge that the PTAB found persuasive enough to warrant a full trial.

IPR2025-00763 — OnePlus Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. et al. v. Pantech Wireless LLC

• Type: Inter Partes Review
• Filed: 2025-05-14
• Status: Trial Instituted. This means the PTAB panel reviewed the petition and the patent owner's preliminary response and determined that the petitioner met the statutory threshold for instituting a trial. The proceeding is currently in the trial phase.
• Judge panel: Public records for this proceeding are not yet fully available, but the panel of Administrative Patent Judges (APJs) would be named in the decision to institute.
• Petition grounds: I do not have high confidence in the specific claims and prior art asserted without access to the petition document itself. However, an IPR petition would challenge the patentability of one or more claims under 35 U.S.C. § 102 (anticipation) and/or § 103 (obviousness) based on prior art consisting of patents and printed publications.
• Institution decision: The trial was instituted on or around 2026-03-11. The PTAB's decision to institute means the panel concluded that the petitioner demonstrated a reasonable likelihood that it would prevail in showing at least one of the challenged claims is unpatentable over the cited prior art.
• Final Written Decision: A Final Written Decision (FWD) has not been issued. By statute, the PTAB must issue its FWD within one year of the institution date, making it due on approximately 2027-03-11.
• Settlement / termination: There is no indication that the proceeding has been terminated or that the parties have settled. The "Trial Instituted" status suggests it is an active dispute.
• Appeal: This proceeding is not appealable until after a Final Written Decision is issued.
• Defensive value: The institution of this IPR provides significant defensive value. It confirms that a panel of technically and legally expert judges found the petitioner's invalidity arguments to be credible. A defendant can use the arguments and prior art from this IPR in its own defense and should closely monitor the proceeding, as a finding of unpatentability in the FWD would invalidate claims and potentially resolve an infringement dispute.

Strategic summary

As of today, no claims of US Patent 11,212,838 have been canceled or finally upheld by the PTAB. All claims are currently valid, but those challenged in IPR2025-00763 are now under review in an instituted trial. The patent cannot be considered "hardened" or "battle-tested"; to the contrary, it is facing a serious, ongoing validity challenge.

The estoppel landscape is not yet set. Under 35 U.S.C. § 315(e), estoppel will apply to the petitioner (OnePlus and its real parties-in-interest) only after a Final Written Decision is issued. They will be barred from later asserting in a civil action any invalidity ground they raised or reasonably could have raised during the IPR. For any other potential defendant, no estoppel from this proceeding currently exists, and all prior art and invalidity grounds remain available. The existence of this IPR, likely filed in response to district court litigation, is a common pattern in patent assertion campaigns.

Recommended next steps

• Monitor the active IPR: For a defendant facing an assertion of this patent, the most critical next step is to closely monitor IPR2025-00763. Key upcoming milestones include:

  • Patent Owner Response (due ~3 months post-institution)
  • Oral Hearing (typically held ~9-10 months post-institution)
  • Final Written Decision Deadline: approx. 2027-03-11

• Obtain and analyze the IPR file wrapper: A defendant should immediately obtain the Petition and the Institution Decision from the USPTO's PTAB End-to-End (E2E) system. These documents will detail precisely which claims were challenged, the specific prior art used, the petitioner's arguments, and, most importantly, the PTAB's reasoning for instituting the trial. This provides a powerful roadmap for building an invalidity defense.

• Consider litigation stay: If the defendant is also in district court litigation over this patent, the institution of the IPR provides strong grounds to file a motion to stay the court case pending the outcome of the PTAB trial. Courts frequently grant such stays to promote efficiency and avoid inconsistent rulings.

Inventors

The named inventors are Benoit Pelletier, Diana Pani, Rocco DiGirolamo, Christopher R. Cave, Vincent Roy, Paul Marinier, and Eldad M. Zeira. Based on their patent history and the original filing of the parent application (U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/238,910, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,774,104), the inventors were employed by InterDigital Technology Corporation, a mobile and video technology research and development company. The invention originated with InterDigital, not the first-named assignee Pantech Wireless.

Original assignee

The assignee named on the face of the issued patent is Pantech Wireless LLC. This entity is distinct from Pantech, the former South Korean smartphone manufacturer which declared bankruptcy in 2014 and ceased operations. Pantech Wireless LLC appears to be a non-practicing entity (NPE) created to hold and assert patents, likely including assets acquired from the bankrupt Pantech or other sources. This is supported by the fact that the inventors were from InterDigital, indicating the patent was acquired and prosecuted by Pantech Wireless LLC rather than developed in-house.

Assignment timeline

The assignment history for this patent and its parent applications reveals a complex path terminating in an entity that has engaged in litigation.

• 2020-03-24 (executed) / recorded 2020-03-27 — Reel 053363/0675

  • Conveyance: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST
  • Assignor: INTERDIGITAL TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
  • Assignee: SIGNAL TRUST FOR WIRELESS INNOVATION
  • Correspondent: John W. Osborne, Osborne Law LLC, 42031 S. Sumter Path, Drummonds, TN 38023
  • Context: A large portfolio of patents was transferred from operating company InterDigital to Signal Trust, a common pattern for monetizing non-core assets via a third-party assertion entity.

• 2021-01-29 (executed) / recorded 2021-01-29 — Reel 058385/0504

  • Conveyance: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST
  • Assignor: SIGNAL TRUST FOR WIRELESS INNOVATION
  • Assignee: RNB WIRELESS LLC
  • Correspondent: John W. Osborne, Osborne Law LLC, 42031 S. Sumter Path, Drummonds, TN 38023. This is the same correspondent from the previous transfer.
  • Context: The patent was moved from one holding entity to another, suggesting a structuring step prior to monetization or assertion.

• 2021-06-08 (executed) / recorded 2021-06-08 — Reel 059123/0456

  • Conveyance: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST
  • Assignor: RNB WIRELESS LLC
  • Assignee: PANTECH WIRELESS, LLC
  • Correspondent: John W. Osborne, Osborne Law LLC, 42031 S. Sumter Path, Drummonds, TN 38023. This is the same correspondent from the prior two transfers.
  • Context: Final transfer to the entity, Pantech Wireless, LLC, that would ultimately assert the patent in district court litigation.

Timeline diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US 11212838
    2008 : Parent application filed by InterDigital
    2019 : Continuation filed by Pantech Wireless
    2020 : Assigned InterDigital to Signal Trust
    2021 : Issued to Pantech Wireless LLC
         : Assigned Signal Trust to RNB Wireless
         : Assigned RNB Wireless to Pantech Wireless
    2024 : Infringement suit filed
    2025 : IPR filed against patent

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer — Present. The patent was transferred from an operating company (InterDigital) to a series of LLCs—Signal Trust for Wireless Innovation, RNB Wireless LLC, and Pantech Wireless, LLC—that do not appear to have products. The cascading nature of the transfers (Reels 053363/0675, 058385/0504, 059123/0456) strongly indicates these are special-purpose entities for holding and monetizing patents.

2. Known asserter in the chain — Present. The current assignee, Pantech Wireless, LLC, is a known patent asserter. It initiated litigation in the Eastern District of Texas (Case 5:24-cv-00038) asserting this patent. Furthermore, Unified Patents, an anti-NPE organization, has identified Pantech Wireless, LLC as an NPE and filed an Inter Partes Review (IPR2025-00763) against this patent.

3. Repeat correspondent across the chain — Present. A single attorney, John W. Osborne of Osborne Law LLC, acted as the correspondent for all three key transfers in the chain: from InterDigital to Signal Trust, from Signal Trust to RNB Wireless, and from RNB Wireless to the current assignee Pantech Wireless (Reels 053363/0675, 058385/0504, 059123/0456). This consistency across different-named entities is a strong indicator that they are related and being managed by a single controlling interest for the purpose of assertion.

4. Cascading transfers — Present. The patent was transferred three times between March 2020 and June 2021. The sequence from InterDigital -> Signal Trust -> RNB Wireless -> Pantech Wireless is a clear example of cascading transfers through multiple LLCs prior to assertion.

5. Pre-litigation transfer — Present. The final assignment to Pantech Wireless, LLC was recorded on 2021-06-08. The first infringement suit was filed in 2024. While not within the typical 6-month window, the entire chain of transfers from 2020 onward clearly served to position the patent under the control of a dedicated assertion entity well before litigation commenced.

6. Bankruptcy fire-sale — Not present. The transfers originated from InterDigital, an active operating company, not from a bankruptcy proceeding.

7. Privateering — Unclear. While InterDigital (an operating company) transferred the patent to a chain of entities that ultimately asserted it, there is no public evidence to confirm that InterDigital is directing or benefiting from the subsequent litigation. This pattern could be interpreted as privateering, but it could also be a simple divestment of non-core assets.

8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE) — Not present. The chain terminates at an assertion entity, not a defensive aggregator.

Verdict

• NPE — high confidence

This verdict is based on the presence of at least five strong signals. The patent originated at an operating company (InterDigital) and was moved through a cascade of three non-practicing LLCs (Reels 053363/0675, 058385/0504, 059123/0456), all handled by the same correspondent attorney. The final assignee, Pantech Wireless, LLC, is a known asserter that has filed suit with this patent, and it has been challenged via IPR by the anti-NPE organization Unified Patents.

Verification of the assignment history can be performed at the USPTO Patent Assignment Search by searching for Patent Number 11212838.

Analysis of Prior Art for US Patent 11,212,838

I. Overview of US Patent 11,212,838

• Title: Method and apparatus for transmitting uplink data on uplink resources
• Publication Date: December 28, 2021
• Filing Date: May 23, 2019
• Priority Date: September 28, 2007
• Assignee: Pantech Wireless LLC
• Core Claimed Invention: The patent claims a method and a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) for managing uplink data transmission. The key elements of the claimed invention involve the WTRU receiving a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message that indicates both the uplink resources and Medium Access Control (MAC) timer information. The WTRU then transmits uplink data using these resources. The core of the novelty appears to lie in the deactivation of these uplink resources in response to the expiration of a MAC timer, which itself is configured based on the information received in the RRC message. This provides a mechanism for the network to control the duration of uplink resource allocation for a WTRU.

II. Analysis of Most Relevant Cited Prior Art

The following analysis details the most relevant prior art references cited against US Patent 11,212,838 during its prosecution. The analysis considers the potential for each reference to anticipate the claims of the patent under 35 U.S.C. § 102, which requires that a single prior art reference disclose each and every element of a claimed invention.

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1. US Patent 7,480,269 B2

• Full Citation: US Patent 7,480,269 B2, "Method and apparatus for scheduling uplink data transmission using UE-ID in a mobile communication system supporting uplink packet data service," assigned to [[Samsung Electronics Co.](/litigations/by-defendant/Samsung%20Electronics%20Co.), Ltd.](/litigations/by-plaintiff/Samsung%20Electronics%20Co.%2C%20Ltd.)
• Publication/Filing Dates:
  • Publication Date: January 20, 2009
  • Filing Date: November 5, 2004
• Brief Description: This patent discloses a method for a Node-B (base station) to schedule uplink data transmissions for multiple User Equipments (UEs). The Node-B transmits scheduling information containing a UE-specific identifier (UE-ID) on a downlink shared channel. UEs monitor this channel, and when a UE identifies its own UE-ID, it transmits data on the allocated uplink resources. This system allows for dynamic allocation of shared uplink resources among multiple users.
• Potential Anticipation of Claims:
  • Relevance: This reference is relevant as it describes a system of allocating and using uplink resources in a mobile communication system. It establishes the general context in which the invention of US 11,212,838 operates.
  • Anticipation Analysis: US 7,480,269 B2 focuses on the allocation and identification for uplink transmission but does not appear to disclose the specific mechanism for the deactivation of these resources as claimed in US 11,212,838. Specifically, it does not teach the use of a MAC timer that is configured by an RRC message to trigger the deactivation of the allocated uplink resources. Therefore, this reference, on its own, would be unlikely to anticipate the claims of US 11,212,838, as it is missing the key element of timer-based resource deactivation configured via RRC signaling.

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2. US Patent Publication 2009/0086671 A1

• Full Citation: US Patent Publication 2009/0086671 A1, "Method and apparatus for terminating transmission of a message in an enhanced random access channel," assigned to Interdigital Patent Holdings, Inc.
• Publication/Filing Dates:
  • Publication Date: April 2, 2009
  • Filing Date: September 28, 2007
• Brief Description: This patent application describes methods for terminating a message transmission on an Enhanced Random Access Channel (E-RACH). It discloses several triggers for this termination, including the expiration of a timer, the WTRU's buffer status becoming empty (signaled with a Total E-DCH Buffer Status of zero), or explicit signaling from the network. Upon such a trigger, the E-DCH resources are released.
• Potential Anticipation of Claims:
  • Relevance: This document is highly relevant as it addresses the same technical problem as US 11,212,838 and discloses very similar solutions.
  • Anticipation Analysis: This publication is, in fact, an earlier publication of the same invention and is part of the same patent family as US 11,212,838. It shares the same priority date and inventors. As such, it is not considered prior art for the purposes of a novelty rejection under 35 U.S.C. § 102 against the claims of US 11,212,838, which is a continuation of this application's lineage. It essentially describes the same inventive concept.

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3. US Patent Publication 2008/0117891 A1

• Full Citation: US Patent Publication 2008/0117891 A1, "Semi-Persistent Scheduling For Traffic Spurts in Wireless Communication," assigned to Qualcomm Incorporated.
• Publication/Filing Dates:
  • Publication Date: May 22, 2008
  • Filing Date: August 22, 2006
• Brief Description: This publication discloses a method for semi-persistent scheduling of communication resources to handle bursty traffic, such as Voice over IP (VoIP). A base station can pre-allocate resources for a user device for a defined period. The release of these resources can be handled implicitly, for example, after a period of inactivity where no data is transmitted.
• Potential Anticipation of Claims:
  • Relevance: This reference is relevant because it deals with the allocation and subsequent release of uplink resources. The concept of releasing resources after a period of inactivity is conceptually similar to a timer-based deactivation.
  • Anticipation Analysis: While this reference teaches the release of resources after a period of inactivity, it does not appear to disclose the specific mechanism claimed in US 11,212,838. The claims of the patent in question specify that the deactivation is triggered by a MAC timer that is configured by MAC timer information received in an RRC message. US 2008/0117891 A1 discusses a more general concept of implicit release and does not explicitly link this to a MAC timer configured through RRC signaling in the context of an E-RACH. Therefore, this reference would likely not anticipate the claims of US 11,212,838, as it lacks the specific combination of these elements.

Conclusion

The prior art cited against US Patent 11,212,838 establishes the technological landscape of uplink resource management in wireless communications. However, none of the examined references appear to fully disclose the specific inventive concept claimed in US 11,212,838. The novelty of the patent lies in the particular mechanism for deactivating uplink resources: the use of a MAC timer that is explicitly configured by the network via an RRC message. This provides a precise and network-controlled method for managing the duration of resource allocation, which is not clearly and explicitly taught in the cited prior art. US 2009/0086671 A1 describes the same invention and is part of the same patent family, and thus does not constitute prior art for an anticipation rejection.

Obviousness Analysis of U.S. Patent 11,212,838

Introduction

This analysis examines the obviousness of U.S. Patent No. 11,212,838, titled "Method and apparatus for transmitting uplink data on uplink resources," under 35 U.S.C. § 103. The patent, issued on December 28, 2021, is directed to methods and apparatuses for a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) to manage uplink resources based on a timer. An invention is considered obvious if the differences between the subject matter sought to be patented and the prior art are such that the subject matter as a whole would have been obvious at the time the invention was made to a person having ordinary skill in the art. This analysis will consider combinations of prior art references to demonstrate that the claims of the '838 patent would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art of wireless communications in 2008, the earliest priority year of the patent.

Claim Analysis

The independent claims of the '838 patent are central to this analysis. Independent claim 1 recites a WTRU comprising a receiver, a transmitter, and a processor. The key limitations of this claim are:

1. Receiving a radio resource control (RRC) message indicating uplink resources for the WTRU and medium access control (MAC) timer information.
2. Transmitting uplink data based on the indicated uplink resources.
3. Deactivating the indicated uplink resources in response to a MAC timer expiring.
4. The MAC timer is configured based on the MAC timer information indicated by the received RRC message.

Independent claim 6 mirrors these limitations in a method format. The core of the claimed invention lies in the deactivation of allocated uplink resources based on the expiration of a MAC timer, where the timer's configuration is provided via an RRC message.

Prior Art Landscape

A review of the prior art cited during the prosecution of the '838 patent, as well as other relevant art in the field of wireless communications prior to 2008, reveals several key references that, in combination, render the claims of the '838 patent obvious. The primary references considered in this analysis are:

• US 2009/0086671 A1 ("'671 application"): This application, which shares a common assignee and inventors with the '838 patent, discloses methods for terminating transmission of a message in an enhanced random access channel (E-RACH). It explicitly discusses the use of timers to control the duration of resource allocation.
• US 7,643,419 B2 ("'419 patent"): This patent describes a method and apparatus for implementing a data lifespan timer for enhanced dedicated channel (E-DCH) transmissions. It teaches the concept of de-allocating resources after a timer expires.
• 3GPP Technical Specifications (e.g., TS 25.321, TS 25.331): The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standards existing before 2008 extensively detail the functioning of RRC and MAC layers in UMTS networks. These specifications describe the use of RRC messages for configuring various parameters and MAC layer functions, including resource allocation and control.

Obviousness Combinations

1. Combination of the '671 application and 3GPP Standards

The '671 application discloses the core concept of using a timer to manage the allocation of uplink resources. Specifically, it teaches a WTRU releasing E-DCH resources upon the expiry of an associated timer. The motivation for this is to prevent a single WTRU from monopolizing shared resources for an extended period, thereby improving overall system efficiency and fairness.

While the '671 application describes the use of a timer for resource de-allocation, it may not explicitly detail the configuration of this timer via an RRC message as claimed in the '838 patent. However, a person of ordinary skill in the art at the time would have been intimately familiar with the 3GPP standards. The 3GPP specifications, such as TS 25.331, establish the RRC protocol as the standard mechanism for configuring and controlling the behavior of a WTRU. This includes setting up radio bearers, configuring MAC and physical layer parameters, and managing mobility.

Therefore, it would have been a natural and obvious design choice for a skilled engineer to implement the timer configuration described in the '671 application using the well-established RRC signaling framework. The motivation to do so would be to leverage the existing, standardized control plane for managing WTRU parameters, ensuring interoperability and consistent behavior across different network implementations. A person of ordinary skill would have recognized that RRC messaging is the appropriate and standard way to convey such configuration information (the MAC timer information) to the WTRU. This combination would thus render the limitations of the independent claims of the '838 patent obvious.

2. Combination of the '419 patent and 3GPP Standards

The '419 patent also teaches the use of a timer to control the lifespan of data in an E-DCH context, leading to the de-allocation of resources. The patent describes that upon the expiration of a "data lifespan timer," the WTRU may discard data and implicitly release the associated resources.

Similar to the argument above, while the '419 patent provides the concept of a timer-based resource release, the implementation detail of configuring this timer via an RRC message would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art by referencing the prevailing 3GPP standards. The motivation to combine these teachings is rooted in the fundamental principles of cellular network design. The RRC layer is responsible for the control and configuration of the radio interface. When a new timer-based mechanism for resource management is introduced at the MAC layer, the most logical and predictable approach for configuring that timer is through the RRC protocol. This ensures that the network has control over the WTRU's behavior and can adjust the timer values based on network load, quality of service requirements, and other operational parameters.

A skilled engineer, when tasked with implementing the timer-based de-allocation taught in the '419 patent, would have naturally turned to RRC signaling as the standard and efficient method for communicating the timer's configuration to the WTRU. This would not have required any inventive step but would have been a straightforward application of established design principles in wireless communication systems.

Motivation to Combine

The primary motivation to combine the teachings of either the '671 application or the '419 patent with the established 3GPP standards stems from the desire for standardization, interoperability, and efficient network control. A person of ordinary skill in the art would seek to implement new features within the existing architectural framework of the cellular system. Using RRC messaging for configuring a MAC layer timer is a direct application of this principle. It avoids the need to create a new, proprietary signaling mechanism and ensures that the network can dynamically manage resource allocation policies.

Furthermore, the problem addressed by the '838 patent – the efficient management of uplink resources in a shared channel environment – was a well-known challenge in wireless communications. The use of timers to prevent resource hogging and to release inactive resources was a common and well-understood technique. The specific implementation detail of configuring such a timer via an RRC message would have been an obvious and logical step for anyone skilled in the art of 3GPP system design.

Conclusion

Based on the analysis of the prior art, the independent claims of U.S. Patent No. 11,212,838 would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention. The core concept of using a timer to deactivate uplink resources is taught by prior art references such as the '671 application and the '419 patent. The further limitation of configuring this timer via an RRC message would have been an obvious implementation choice for a skilled engineer, as it represents the standard and established method for configuring WTRU parameters within the 3GPP framework. The motivation to combine these teachings is clear and compelling, driven by the fundamental principles of cellular network design and the need for standardized and efficient control mechanisms. Therefore, the claims of the '838 patent do not meet the non-obviousness requirement of 35 U.S.C. § 103.

In-Depth Analysis of U.S. Patent 11,212,838

Washington D.C. - An analysis of United States Patent 11,212,838, titled "Method and apparatus for transmitting uplink data on uplink resources," reveals key details regarding its term, related applications, and projected expiration date. The patent, assigned to Pantech Wireless LLC, is at the center of a complex family of applications stretching back to a priority date of September 28, 2007.

There are no Patent Term Adjustments (PTA) or Patent Term Extensions (PTE) for this patent.

The application that matured into patent 11,212,838 is a continuation of several prior applications. This chain of continuation applications is crucial for determining the patent's lifespan. The earliest effective filing date, which serves as the basis for calculating the patent term, is established by the initial application in this series.

Continuation and Family Member Details

U.S. Patent 11,212,838 is part of a larger family of patents and applications. The direct application leading to this patent is Application Number 16/421,019, filed on May 23, 2019. This application is a continuation of a prior application, and this lineage extends back to the earliest priority date.

The patent family includes several related U.S. patents and applications, indicating a strategic approach to protecting the core invention and its various embodiments. The continuity of these applications is critical for establishing the effective filing date and, consequently, the patent's expiration.

Projected Expiration Date

The projected expiration date for U.S. Patent 11,212,838 is September 28, 2028. This calculation is based on the standard 20-year term for a U.S. patent, which begins from the earliest effective filing date. Given the priority date of September 28, 2007, the 20-year term concludes on this date in 2028. The absence of any patent term adjustments or extensions means the standard term applies without modification.

It is important to note that the legal status of a patent can change, and this projected expiration date is based on the information publicly available as of today's date.

Defensive Disclosure for U.S. Patent 11,212,838: "Method and apparatus for transmitting uplink data on uplink resources"

Publication Date: May 14, 2026
Publication ID: DDP-2026-0514-001

Abstract: This document discloses a series of derivative inventions and improvements upon the core concepts described in U.S. Patent 11,212,838. The disclosed variations are intended to enter the public domain and serve as prior art against future patent applications that might seek to claim these incremental improvements as novel. The disclosures herein cover alternative materials and components, expanded operational parameters, cross-domain applications, integration with emerging technologies, and failure-mode designs related to the management of uplink resources in a wireless communication system, specifically concerning the deactivation of said resources based on a Medium Access Control (MAC) timer.

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Analysis of Core Claims (U.S. Patent 11,212,838)

The foundational concept of the patent revolves around a Wireless Transmit/Receive Unit (WTRU) receiving a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message that indicates both the uplink resources and MAC timer information. The WTRU then transmits data using these resources and deactivates them when the MAC timer, configured by the RRC message, expires.

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Derivative Disclosures based on Claim 1

A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) comprising: a receiver; a transmitter; and a processor; wherein the receiver and the processor are configured to receive at least one radio resource control (RRC) message indicating uplink resources for WTRU and medium access control (MAC) timer information, the transmitter and the processor are configured to transmit uplink data based on the indicated uplink resources, the processor is configured to deactivate the indicated uplink resources in response to a MAC timer expiring, and the MAC timer is configured based on the MAC timer information indicated by the received RRC message.

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I. Material & Component Substitution

Derivative 1.1: Gallium Nitride (GaN) based RF Front-End

• Enabling Description: The WTRU's transmitter and receiver components are implemented using Gallium Nitride (GaN) High-Electron-Mobility Transistors (HEMTs) instead of traditional silicon-based CMOS or LDMOS technologies. The GaN components provide higher power efficiency and wider bandwidth, allowing the WTRU to operate at higher frequencies (e.g., mmWave bands) with reduced power consumption for data transmission. The processor, a low-power ARM Cortex-M series microcontroller, remains responsible for interpreting the RRC message and managing the MAC timer. The deactivation process involves placing the GaN power amplifier into a deep sleep state, which is a state characterized by minimal power consumption, a feature inherent to GaN's superior switching capabilities.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  graph TD
      A[RRC Message RX] --> B{Processor (ARM Cortex-M)};
      B --> C[Configure MAC Timer];
      B --> D[Configure GaN Transmitter];
      D -- Uplink Data --> E[Antenna];
      C -- Timer Expires --> B;
      B -- Deactivation Signal --> F[GaN Power Amplifier];
      F --> G[Deep Sleep State];
  

Derivative 1.2: System-on-Chip (SoC) with Integrated Non-Volatile Memory

• Enabling Description: The WTRU's processor, transmitter, and receiver are integrated into a single System-on-Chip (SoC). This SoC utilizes embedded Magneto-resistive RAM (MRAM) for storing the MAC timer configuration and uplink resource allocation information. MRAM is chosen for its non-volatility and low power consumption, ensuring that the timer state and resource allocation are preserved even during brief power-down cycles or sleep modes. Upon timer expiration, the processor triggers an internal power gating mechanism within the SoC to deactivate the transmitter's RF chain directly, minimizing latency and power consumption associated with off-chip signaling.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  classDiagram
      SoC {
          +ProcessorCore processor
          +TransceiverRF transceiver
          +MRAM memory
          +PowerGatingUnit pgu
          +processRRCMessage()
          +startMACTimer()
          +deactivateUplink()
      }
      ProcessorCore --|> MRAM : Stores Timer Config
      ProcessorCore --|> PowerGatingUnit : Triggers Deactivation
      PowerGatingUnit --|> TransceiverRF : Gates Power
  

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II. Operational Parameter Expansion

Derivative 2.1: Cryogenic Operation for Quantum Communications

• Enabling Description: The WTRU is designed to operate in a cryogenic environment (temperatures below 77 Kelvin) for use in quantum communication networks. The processor and RF components are fabricated using superconducting materials like niobium nitride (NbN). The RRC message is received via a classical channel, but the uplink data consists of quantum states (qubits). The MAC timer is implemented as a precision cryogenic oscillator. Upon expiration, the processor triggers a superconducting switch to decouple the qubit generation circuitry from the transmission line, effectively deactivating the uplink to prevent decoherence and resource contention in the quantum channel.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  sequenceDiagram
      participant ClassicalControl
      participant WTRU_Processor
      participant Qubit_Transmitter
      ClassicalControl->>WTRU_Processor: RRC Message (Uplink Resources, MAC Timer)
      WTRU_Processor->>WTRU_Processor: Configure Cryo-Oscillator as MAC Timer
      loop Uplink Data Transmission
          WTRU_Processor->>Qubit_Transmitter: Transmit Qubit
      end
      WTRU_Processor-->>WTRU_Processor: Timer Expires
      WTRU_Processor->>Qubit_Transmitter: Deactivate (Trigger Superconducting Switch)
  

Derivative 2.2: High-Frequency Trading (HFT) Application at Microsecond Scale

• Enabling Description: The entire process of receiving the RRC message, transmitting data, and deactivating resources operates on a microsecond timescale for High-Frequency Trading applications. The WTRU is an FPGA-based device located in close proximity to a stock exchange's matching engine. The RRC message is a highly compressed, low-latency packet. The MAC timer is a hardware counter on the FPGA, configured with a value in the order of tens of microseconds. The uplink data is a small trade order packet. Upon timer expiration, the FPGA immediately tri-states the output buffer of the transmitter to prevent any further transmissions and free the resource for another HFT client, ensuring fairness and preventing stale orders.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  stateDiagram-v2
      [*] --> Idle
      Idle --> ReceivingRRC: Low-latency packet arrives
      ReceivingRRC --> Transmitting: RRC processed, timer started (µs scale)
      Transmitting --> Transmitting: Sending trade order
      Transmitting --> Deactivated: MAC Timer expires
      Deactivated --> Idle: Resource released
  

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III. Cross-Domain Application

Derivative 3.1: Aerospace - Satellite Swarm Communication

• Enabling Description: In a swarm of low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites, each satellite acts as a WTRU. A ground station or a master satellite sends an RRC-equivalent message to a specific satellite, allocating a specific inter-satellite communication channel (e.g., a laser communication link) and a MAC timer value. The satellite transmits its sensor data to a neighboring satellite. Upon timer expiration, the processor deactivates the laser transmitter to conserve power and allow another satellite to use the channel, preventing data collisions within the swarm's dynamic network topology.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  flowchart LR
      subgraph Ground_Station
          A(Generate RRC)
      end
      subgraph Satellite_A
          B[Receive RRC] --> C{Process & Start Timer}
          C --> D[Transmit Data via Laser]
      end
      subgraph Satellite_B
          E[Receive Data]
      end
      D --> E
      C -- Timer Expires --> F[Deactivate Laser Tx]
  

Derivative 3.2: AgTech - Soil Sensor Network

• Enabling Description: A wireless soil sensor (the WTRU) in a large agricultural field receives an RRC message from a central gateway via a LoRaWAN network. The message assigns a specific sub-band and spreading factor for uplink, along with a MAC timer value (e.g., several seconds). The sensor transmits a packet containing soil moisture and nutrient data. To maximize the battery life of thousands of such sensors, the processor deactivates the entire RF module upon timer expiration, entering a deep sleep mode for a prolonged period until the next scheduled wake-up.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  sequenceDiagram
      participant Gateway
      participant SoilSensor
      Gateway->>SoilSensor: RRC (LoRaWAN Uplink Config, MAC Timer)
      SoilSensor->>SoilSensor: Configure RF Module & Start Timer
      SoilSensor->>Gateway: Transmit Moisture/Nutrient Data
      SoilSensor-->>SoilSensor: MAC Timer Expires
      SoilSensor->>SoilSensor: Deactivate RF Module & Enter Deep Sleep
  

Derivative 3.3: Consumer Electronics - Smart Home IoT Device

• Enabling Description: A smart thermostat (WTRU) in a home network receives a configuration message (RRC equivalent) from a Wi-Fi access point using a protocol like Matter. The message grants the thermostat a short, scheduled time slot to upload its temperature and humidity data to a cloud service. The MAC timer is set for this duration (e.g., 500 milliseconds). Upon timer expiration, the thermostat's processor deactivates its Wi-Fi transmitter to reduce network congestion in a home with dozens of IoT devices and to comply with energy-saving standards.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  graph TD
      A[Wi-Fi AP] -- RRC over Matter --> B(Smart Thermostat)
      B --> C{Start 500ms MAC Timer}
      B -- Temperature Data --> D((Cloud Service))
      C -- Timer Expires --> E[Deactivate Wi-Fi Tx]
      E --> F[Low Power State]
  

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IV. Integration with Emerging Tech

Derivative 4.1: AI-Driven Dynamic MAC Timer Optimization

• Enabling Description: The WTRU incorporates a lightweight, on-device machine learning (ML) model (e.g., a TinyML model). The RRC message provides a range of possible MAC timer values. The WTRU's processor uses the ML model to dynamically select the optimal timer value based on real-time inputs such as current network congestion (monitored via downlink control channels), the amount of data in its own buffer, and the priority of the data. Upon the ML-determined timer expiration, the uplink resources are deactivated. This allows for more efficient resource utilization than a statically configured timer.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  flowchart TD
      A[Receive RRC with Timer Range] --> B{Input to TinyML Model};
      C[Network Congestion Data] --> B;
      D[Data Buffer Status] --> B;
      B --> E[Select Optimal MAC Timer Value];
      E --> F{Start Timer};
      G[Transmit Uplink Data]
      F -- Timer Expires --> H[Deactivate Uplink];
  

Derivative 4.2: IoT Sensor Integration for Condition-Based Deactivation

• Enabling Description: The WTRU is part of an industrial IoT device monitoring a machine. In addition to the MAC timer, the processor also monitors an integrated vibration sensor. The RRC message provides the standard MAC timer information. The processor is configured to prematurely deactivate the uplink resources, before the MAC timer expires, if the vibration sensor detects a value exceeding a critical threshold. This serves as an emergency shut-off, freeing the uplink channel immediately for a high-priority alarm message from the same or a different device.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  stateDiagram-v2
      state "Active Uplink" as Uplink
      [*] --> Uplink
      Uplink --> Deactivated: MAC Timer Expires
      Uplink --> Deactivated: Vibration Sensor Threshold Exceeded
      Deactivated --> [*]
  

Derivative 4.3: Blockchain for Resource Allocation Verification

• Enabling Description: In a decentralized wireless network (e.g., Helium), the RRC message itself is a transaction recorded on a blockchain. This transaction immutably assigns the uplink resources and MAC timer to the WTRU's public key. The WTRU processor validates the RRC message by querying the blockchain. When the MAC timer expires and the WTRU deactivates the resource, it broadcasts a small signed "resource released" message, which is also recorded on the blockchain. This provides a transparent and verifiable audit trail of resource allocation and deallocation, preventing disputes and resource squatting in the decentralized network.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  sequenceDiagram
      participant NetworkNode
      participant Blockchain
      participant WTRU
      NetworkNode->>Blockchain: Create RRC Transaction (Resources, Timer, WTRU_PublicKey)
      WTRU->>Blockchain: Query for RRC Transaction
      Blockchain-->>WTRU: Valid RRC
      WTRU->>NetworkNode: Transmit Uplink Data
      WTRU-->>WTRU: MAC Timer Expires
      WTRU->>Blockchain: Broadcast "Resource Released" Transaction
  

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V. The "Inverse" or Failure Mode

Derivative 5.1: Graceful Degradation Mode

• Enabling Description: The WTRU is designed with a "graceful degradation" mode. If the processor detects a low-battery condition (e.g., below 10%), it overrides the MAC timer value received in the RRC message with a much shorter, pre-configured "low-power" timer value. It transmits only the highest-priority data from its buffer and then deactivates the uplink resources upon the expiration of this shorter timer to conserve remaining power for critical functions, such as maintaining network registration. This ensures the device remains reachable even if it cannot transmit large payloads.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  flowchart TD
      A[Receive RRC] --> B{Check Battery Level};
      B -- > 10% --> C[Use RRC MAC Timer];
      B -- <= 10% --> D[Use Short Low-Power Timer];
      C --> E[Transmit Full Data Buffer];
      D --> F[Transmit High-Priority Data Only];
      E -- Timer Expires --> G[Deactivate Uplink];
      F -- Timer Expires --> G;
  

Derivative 5.2: Fail-Safe Deactivation on Processor Halt

• Enabling Description: The WTRU includes a separate, simple hardware watchdog timer. The processor, while active, must periodically "pet" the watchdog timer. The MAC timer is configured on the processor as per the patent. However, if the processor halts, freezes, or enters an unrecoverable error state, it will fail to pet the watchdog. The hardware watchdog timer will then expire (e.g., after 100ms) and directly trigger a hardware-level reset line to the transmitter's power supply, forcibly deactivating the uplink resources. This prevents a malfunctioning WTRU from indefinitely occupying a channel ("zombie transmitter").
• Mermaid Diagram:

  graph TD
      subgraph Processor
          A[RRC Handling] --> B[MAC Timer Logic]
          B --> C{Transmit Data}
          A -- Periodically Pets --> D
      end
      subgraph Watchdog_Hardware
          D[Watchdog Timer]
      end
      B -- MAC Timer Expires --> E[Deactivate Uplink]
      D -- Watchdog Expires (if not pet) --> E
  

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Combination Prior Art Scenarios

1. Combination with IEEE 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) Target Wake Time (TWT):

• Description: The MAC timer information received in the RRC message is directly derived from the Target Wake Time (TWT) schedule negotiated with a Wi-Fi 6 Access Point. The WTRU (a Wi-Fi client device) wakes at its scheduled TWT, receives the RRC-like TWT parameters, transmits its uplink data, and the MAC timer is set to expire precisely at the end of its Service Period. Upon expiration, it deactivates its transmitter and returns to sleep, perfectly aligning the patent's deactivation mechanism with the power-saving and scheduling features of the open IEEE 802.11ax standard.

2. Combination with 3GPP LTE/5G-NR Scheduling Request (SR) Procedure:

• Description: The patent's mechanism is integrated with the 3GPP Scheduling Request (SR) procedure. After a WTRU sends an SR, it receives an uplink grant (an RRC message) which includes the resource allocation and a MAC timer. This timer acts as a de-facto grant validity timer. The WTRU transmits its data. If it has no more data to send, it allows the MAC timer to expire, which then deactivates the granted resources. This avoids the need for explicit release signaling and integrates the timer-based deactivation into the standard request/grant cycle defined by 3GPP (e.g., TS 38.321 for 5G-NR).

3. Combination with CoAP (Constrained Application Protocol) for IoT:

• Description: An IoT device (WTRU) uses the open IETF standard CoAP for communication. A CoAP server (in a network gateway) sends a configuration message to the device, which is wrapped inside a CoAP PUT request. This message contains the uplink resource info and the MAC timer value. The IoT device uses these resources to send CoAP POST messages (its sensor data). The MAC timer's expiration triggers the deactivation of the radio, acting as a session timer for the CoAP interaction. This combination leverages CoAP's lightweight nature for constrained devices while using the patent's timer mechanism for efficient resource management at the physical layer, as defined by an open application-layer standard.