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.