Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 17/435,521

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING TRANSMISSION POWER ON A SIDELINK

Non-Final OA §103
Filed
Sep 01, 2021
Examiner
AREVALO, JOSEPH
Art Unit
2642
Tech Center
2600 — Communications
Assignee
Lenovo (Beijing) Limited
OA Round
6 (Non-Final)
84%
Grant Probability
Favorable
6-7
OA Rounds
2y 10m
To Grant
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 84% — above average
84%
Career Allow Rate
709 granted / 842 resolved
+22.2% vs TC avg
Strong +21% interview lift
Without
With
+21.2%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 10m
Avg Prosecution
39 currently pending
Career history
881
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
4.2%
-35.8% vs TC avg
§103
56.6%
+16.6% vs TC avg
§102
24.7%
-15.3% vs TC avg
§112
4.2%
-35.8% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 842 resolved cases

Office Action

§103
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 . Response to Arguments Applicant’s arguments, see Remarks, filed 12/24/2025, with respect to the rejection(s) of claim(s) 1, 4-8, 10-18, 21-25 and 26 under 35 U.S.C. 103) have been fully considered and are persuasive. Therefore, the rejection has been withdrawn. However, upon further consideration, a new ground(s) of rejection is made Cai US Patent No.:( US 11,191,036 B2) hereinafter referred as Cai, in view of Li US Patent Application No.:(US 2018/0049129 A1) hereinafter referred as Li. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 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 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 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 of this title, 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. The factual inquiries set forth in Graham v. John Deere Co., 383 U.S. 1, 148 USPQ 459 (1966), that are applied for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103(a) are summarized as follows: 1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art. 2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue. 3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art. 4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness. This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims under 35 U.S.C. 103(a), the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned at the time any inventions covered therein were made absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and invention dates of each claim that was not commonly owned at the time a later invention was made in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 103(c) and potential 35 U.S.C. 102(e), (f) or (g) prior art under 35 U.S.C. 103(a). Claims 1, 4-7, 10-16, 21-23 and 25 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being un-patentable over Cai US Patent No.:( US 11,191,036 B2) hereinafter referred as Cai, in view of Li US Patent Application No.:(US 2018/0049129 A1) hereinafter referred as Li. For claim 1, Cai teaches a method performed by a first user equipment (UE), the method comprising: obtaining a first power based at least in part on path-loss of a link between the first (UE) and a base station (S604 figure 7)(S606a fig. 7) (Column 14, lines 60-67)- (Column 15, lines 1-8 ), (Column 24, lines 31-36) (Column 24, lines 65-67) and one or more network parameters configured by the base station (Column 20, lines 6-12); obtaining a second power based at least in part on path-loss of a sidelink between the first (UE) and a second (UE) (S602b fig. 7) (Column 23, lines 12-19) (Column 24, lines 17-21) and (Column 12, lines 45-48) and the one or more network parameters( Column 19, lines 61-67). However, Cai disclose all the subject matter of the claimed invention with the exemption of the selecting, based at least in part on the comparing, a lesser one of the first power and the second power; and transmitting data on the sidelink using the selected lesser one of the first power and the second power as transmission power, wherein the one or more network parameters are additional to the path-loss of the link between the first UE and the base station and the path-loss of the sidelink between the first UE and the second UE and are configured by the base station in a Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH) resource configuration for the sidelink as recited in claim 1. Li from the same or analogous art teaches the selecting, based at least in part on the comparing, a lesser one of the first power and the second power (paragraph [0144], lines 3-11); and transmitting data on the sidelink using the selected lesser one of the first power and the second power as transmission power (paragraph [0164], lines 3-31), wherein the one or more network parameters are additional to the path-loss of the link between the first UE and the base station and the path-loss of the sidelink between the first UE and the second UE (paragraph [0082], lines 1-13) and are configured by the base station in a Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH) resource configuration for the sidelink (paragraph [0080], lines 5-22). Therefore, it would have been obvious for the person of ordinary skill in the art at the time of filling to use the selecting, based at least in part on the comparing, a lesser one of the first power and the second power; and transmitting data on the sidelink using the selected lesser one of the first power and the second power as transmission power, wherein the one or more network parameters are additional to the path-loss of the link between the first UE and the base station and the path-loss of the sidelink between the first UE and the second UE and are configured by the base station in a Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH) resource configuration for the sidelink as taught by Li into the power control based on path loss and power value of Cai. The selecting, based at least in part on the comparing, a lesser one of the first power and the second power; and transmitting data on the sidelink using the selected lesser one of the first power and the second power as transmission power, wherein the one or more network parameters are additional to the path-loss of the link between the first UE and the base station and the path-loss of the sidelink between the first UE and the second UE and are configured by the base station in a Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH) resource configuration for the sidelink can be modify/implemented by combining the selecting, based at least in part on the comparing, a lesser one of the first power and the second power; and transmitting data on the sidelink using the selected lesser one of the first power and the second power as transmission power, wherein the one or more network parameters are additional to the path-loss of the link between the first UE and the base station and the path-loss of the sidelink between the first UE and the second UE and are configured by the base station in a Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH) resource configuration for the sidelink with the device. This process is implemented as a hardware solution or as firmware solutions of Li into the power control based on path loss and power value of Cai. As disclosed in Li, the motivation for the combination would be to use the Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH) that reduce latency, enhanced reliability through HARQ feedback, improved system capacity for large-scale deployments like industrial IoT, and direct, network-bypassing communication for devices like those in Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) or public safety scenarios. In addition the comparison of the powers and selecting the best power for a good communication with a better signal strength, becoming the method/device more efficient and reliable with good QOS. For claim 4, Cai teaches the method, further comprising: if the first power is less than the second power, comparing a quality-of-service parameter of the sidelink and a threshold value (column 1, lines 50-67); and transmitting data on the sidelink using the first power based on a comparison result of the quality-of-service parameter and the threshold value (column 9, lines 35-38). For claim 5, Cai disclose all the subject matter of the claimed invention with the exemption of the transmitting data on the sidelink using the first power is further based on determining, based on the comparison result, that the quality-of-service parameter is equal to or below the threshold value as recited in claim 5. Li from the same or analogous art teaches the transmitting data on the sidelink using the first power is further based on determining, based on the comparison result, that the quality-of-service parameter is equal to or below the threshold value (paragraphs [0145], lines 1-7 and [0164], lines 3-31). Therefore, it would have been obvious for the person of ordinary skill in the art at the time of filling to use the transmitting data on the sidelink using the first power is further based on determining, based on the comparison result, that the quality-of-service parameter is equal to or below the threshold value as taught by Li into the power control based on path loss and power value of Cai. The transmitting data on the sidelink using the first power is further based on determining, based on the comparison result, that the quality-of-service parameter is equal to or below the threshold value can be modify/implemented by combining the transmitting data on the sidelink using the first power is further based on determining, based on the comparison result, that the quality-of-service parameter is equal to or below the threshold value with the device. This process is implemented as a hardware solution or as firmware solutions of Li into the power control based on path loss and power value of Cai. As disclosed in Li, the motivation for the combination would be to use the transmitting data on the sidelink using the first power is further based on determining, based on the comparison result, that the quality-of-service parameter is equal to or below the threshold value, the comparison of the powers and selecting the best power for a good communication with a better signal strength make the method/device more efficient and reliable with good QOS. For claim 6, Cai teaches the method, wherein: transmitting data on the sidelink using the first power is further based on determining, based on the comparison result, that the quality-of-service parameter is equal to or above the threshold value (column 12, lines 29-31) and (column 14, lines 28-35). For claim 7, Cai disclose all the subject matter of the claimed invention with the exemption of the quality-of-service parameter includes a priority level, a latency, a reliability, or some combination thereof as recited in claim 7. Li from the same or analogous art teaches the quality-of-service parameter includes a priority level, a latency, a reliability, or some combination thereof (paragraph [0082], lines 1-7). Therefore, it would have been obvious for the person of ordinary skill in the art at the time of filling to use the quality-of-service parameter includes a priority level, a latency, a reliability, or some combination thereof as taught by Li into the power control based on path loss and power value of Cai. The quality-of-service parameter includes a priority level, a latency, a reliability, or some combination thereof can be modify/implemented by combining the quality of service parameter includes a priority level, a latency, a reliability, or some combination thereof with the device. This process is implemented as a hardware solution or as firmware solutions of Li into the power control based on path loss and power value of Cai. As disclosed in Li, the motivation for the combination would be to use the quality of service parameter including a priority level, a latency, a reliability, or some combination thereof that will help the communication to be more efficient and reliable for a better communication. For claim 10, Cai teaches the method, further comprising: transmitting a power adjustment request to the base station (column 13, lines 20-28); adjusting the transmission power upon receipt of a power adjustment command from the base station (column 20, lines 6-10); and transmitting data on the sidelink using the adjusted transmission power (column 24, lines 31-38). For claim 11, Cai teaches the method, wherein the power adjustment command is a transmission power control command (column 9, lines 63-67)- (column 10, lines 1-9). For claim 12, Cai teaches the method, wherein the power adjustment command comprises a power adjustment amount (column 14, lines 45-50). For claim 13, Cai teaches a method performed by a base station the method comprising: receiving a power adjustment request from UE in response to the first UE determining that it cannot meet a sidelink reception quality for the second UE based at least in part on the first UE transmitting data on a sidelink between the first UE and the second UE (column 14, lines 35-56) (Column 23, lines 12-19) (Column 24, lines 17-21); generating a power adjustment command in response to the power adjustment request (Column 15, lines 45-50); and transmitting the power adjustment command to the first UE (Column 15, lines 51-57), wherein the power adjustment command is used to adjust transmission power on the sidelink between the first UE and a second UE (Column 16, lines 1-40). However, Cai disclose all the subject matter of the claimed invention with the exemption of the configuring one or more network parameters in a Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH) resource configuration for a sidelink between a first user equipment (UE) and a second user equipment UE; the use of a lesser one of a first power and a second power, the first power and the second power determined based at least in part on the one or more network parameters as recited in claim 13. Li from the same or analogous art teaches the configuring one or more network parameters in a Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH) resource configuration for a sidelink between a first user equipment (UE) and a second user equipment UE (paragraph [0080], lines 5-22); the use of a lesser one of a first power and a second power (paragraph [0144], lines 3-11), the first power and the second power determined based at least in part on the one or more network parameters (paragraph [0082], lines 1-13). Therefore, it would have been obvious for the person of ordinary skill in the art at the time of filling to use the configuring one or more network parameters in a Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH) resource configuration for a sidelink between a first user equipment (UE) and a second user equipment UE; the use of a lesser one of a first power and a second power, the first power and the second power determined based at least in part on the one or more network parameters as taught by Li into the power control based on path loss and power value of Cai. The configuring one or more network parameters in a Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH) resource configuration for a sidelink between a first user equipment (UE) and a second user equipment UE; the use of a lesser one of a first power and a second power, the first power and the second power determined based at least in part on the one or more network parameters can be modify/implemented by combining the configuring one or more network parameters in a Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH) resource configuration for a sidelink between a first user equipment (UE) and a second user equipment UE; the use of a lesser one of a first power and a second power, the first power and the second power determined based at least in part on the one or more network parameters with the device. This process is implemented as a hardware solution or as firmware solutions of Li into the power control based on path loss and power value of Cai. As disclosed in Li, the motivation for the combination would be to use the Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH) that reduce latency, enhanced reliability through HARQ feedback, improved system capacity for large-scale deployments like industrial IoT, and direct, network-bypassing communication for devices like those in Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) or public safety scenarios. In addition the comparison of the powers and selecting the best power for a good communication with a better signal strength, becoming the method/device more efficient and reliable with good QOS. For claim 14, Cai teaches the method, wherein the power adjustment command is a transmission power control command (column 9, lines 63-67)- (column 10, lines 1-9). For claim 15, Cai teaches the method, wherein the power adjustment command comprises a power adjustment amount (column 14, lines 45-50). For claim 16, Cai teaches the method, further comprising: adjusting transmission power on a link between the first UE and the base station (S606a and S606b fig. 7) (Column 24, lines 65-67)- (Column 25, lines 5-8). For claim 21, Cai teaches an apparatus comprising a first user equipment, the apparatus further comprising: at least one memory; and at least one processor coupled with the at least one memory and configured to cause the first UE to: obtain a first power based at least in part on path-loss of a link between the first UE and a base station (S604 figure 7)(S606a fig. 7) (Column 14, lines 60-67)- (Column 15, lines 1-8 ), (Column 24, lines 31-36) and one or more network parameters configured by the base station (Column 20, lines 6-12); obtain a second power based at least in part on path-loss of a sidelink between the first user equipment and a second UE (S602b fig. 7) Column 23, lines 12-19) (Column 24, lines 17-21) and (Column 12, lines 45-48) and the one or more network parameters (Column 19, lines 61-67). However, Cai disclose all the subject matter of the claimed invention with the exemption of the compare the first power and the second power; select, based at least in part on the comparing, a lesser one of the first power and the second power; and transmit data on the sidelink using the selected lesser one of the first power and the second power as transmission power, wherein the one or more network parameters are additional to the path-loss of the link between the first UE and the base station and the path-loss of the sidelink between the first UE and the second UE and are configured by the base station in a Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH) resource configuration for the sidelink as recited in claim 21. Li from the same or analogous art teaches the compare the first power and the second power (paragraph [0144], lines 3-11); select, based at least in part on the comparing, a lesser one of the first power and the second power (paragraph [0164], lines 3-15); and transmit data on the sidelink using the selected lesser one of the first power and the second power as transmission power (paragraph [0164], lines 15-31), wherein the one or more network parameters are additional to the path-loss of the link between the first UE and the base station and the path-loss of the sidelink between the first UE and the second UE (paragraph [0082], lines 1-13) and are configured by the base station in a Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH) resource configuration for the sidelink (paragraph [0080], lines 5-22). Therefore, it would have been obvious for the person of ordinary skill in the art at the time of filling to use the compare the first power and the second power; select, based at least in part on the comparing, a lesser one of the first power and the second power; and transmit data on the sidelink using the selected lesser one of the first power and the second power as transmission power, wherein the one or more network parameters are additional to the path-loss of the link between the first UE and the base station and the path-loss of the sidelink between the first UE and the second UE and are configured by the base station in a Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH) resource configuration for the sidelink as taught by Li into the power control based on path loss and power value of Cai. The compare the first power and the second power; select, based at least in part on the comparing, a lesser one of the first power and the second power; and transmit data on the sidelink using the selected lesser one of the first power and the second power as transmission power, wherein the one or more network parameters are additional to the path-loss of the link between the first UE and the base station and the path-loss of the sidelink between the first UE and the second UE and are configured by the base station in a Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH) resource configuration for the sidelink can be modify/implemented by combining the compare the first power and the second power; select, based at least in part on the comparing, a lesser one of the first power and the second power; and transmit data on the sidelink using the selected lesser one of the first power and the second power as transmission power, wherein the one or more network parameters are additional to the path-loss of the link between the first UE and the base station and the path-loss of the sidelink between the first UE and the second UE and are configured by the base station in a Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH) resource configuration for the sidelink with the device. This process is implemented as a hardware solution or as firmware solutions of Li into the power control based on path loss and power value of Cai. As disclosed in Li, the motivation for the combination would be to use the Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH) that reduce latency, enhanced reliability through HARQ feedback, improved system capacity for large-scale deployments like industrial IoT, and direct, network-bypassing communication for devices like those in Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) or public safety scenarios. In addition the comparison of the powers and selecting the best power for a good communication with a better signal strength, becoming the method/device more efficient and reliable with good QOS. For claim 22, Cai teaches first UE, wherein the one or more network parameters configured by the base unit station in a Physical Sidelink Share Channel (PSSCH) resource configuration for the sidelink (S606a and S606b fig. 7) (column 11, lines 16-26), (Column 24, lines 65-67). For claim 23, Cai teaches the method, wherein: the first power is a function of the path-loss of the link between the first UE and the base station and the one or more network parameters configured by the base station (S604 fig. 7) ( column 24, lines 23-32); and the second power is a function of the path-loss of the sidelink and the one or more network parameters (S603 fig. 7) ( column 24, lines 33-38). For claim 25 Cai teaches the UE, wherein: the first power is a function of the path-loss of the link between the first UE and the base station and the one or more network parameters configured by the base station (S604 fig. 7) ( column 24, lines 23-32); and the second power is a function of the path-loss of the sidelink and the one or more network parameters (S603 fig. 7) ( column 24, lines 33-38). Allowable Subject Matter Claims 8, 17-18, 24 and 26 are objected 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. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JOSEPH AREVALO whose telephone number is (571)270-3121. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 8:30-5:00 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, Rafael Perez-Gutierrez can be reached at (571)272-7915. 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. /JOSEPH AREVALO/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2642
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Sep 01, 2021
Application Filed
Nov 03, 2023
Non-Final Rejection — §103
Jan 11, 2024
Interview Requested
Jan 24, 2024
Examiner Interview Summary
Jan 24, 2024
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)
Feb 08, 2024
Response Filed
May 30, 2024
Final Rejection — §103
Jul 01, 2024
Interview Requested
Jul 26, 2024
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)
Jul 27, 2024
Examiner Interview Summary
Aug 01, 2024
Response after Non-Final Action
Aug 13, 2024
Response after Non-Final Action
Sep 04, 2024
Request for Continued Examination
Sep 06, 2024
Response after Non-Final Action
Oct 28, 2024
Non-Final Rejection — §103
Nov 13, 2024
Interview Requested
Dec 03, 2024
Examiner Interview Summary
Dec 03, 2024
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)
Jan 31, 2025
Response Filed
Apr 22, 2025
Final Rejection — §103
May 26, 2025
Interview Requested
Jun 17, 2025
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)
Jun 17, 2025
Examiner Interview Summary
Jun 30, 2025
Response after Non-Final Action
Aug 05, 2025
Request for Continued Examination
Aug 07, 2025
Response after Non-Final Action
Sep 23, 2025
Non-Final Rejection — §103
Dec 17, 2025
Interview Requested
Dec 24, 2025
Response Filed
Jan 19, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §103 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12604328
CONCURRENT CONNECTIVITY WITH BOTH 4G AND 5G NETWORKS FOR MOBILE DEVICES
2y 5m to grant Granted Apr 14, 2026
Patent 12591055
A NETWORK CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING A NETWORK PERFORMING RADIOFREQUENCY SENSING
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 31, 2026
Patent 12587947
METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CLIENT STICKINESS IN WIRELESS NETWORKS
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 24, 2026
Patent 12587292
VEHICLE UNIT AND POSITIONAL RELATIONSHIP IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 24, 2026
Patent 12568459
POSITIONING METHOD AND COMMUNICATION APPARATUS
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 03, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

AI Strategy Recommendation

Get an AI-powered prosecution strategy using examiner precedents, rejection analysis, and claim mapping.
Powered by AI — typically takes 5-10 seconds

Prosecution Projections

6-7
Expected OA Rounds
84%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+21.2%)
2y 10m
Median Time to Grant
High
PTA Risk
Based on 842 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

Sign in with your work email

Enter your email to receive a magic link. No password needed.

Personal email addresses (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.) are not accepted.

Free tier: 3 strategy analyses per month