Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 17/443,220

SWITCHING BETWEEN BEAMFORMING MODES

Non-Final OA §103
Filed
Jul 22, 2021
Examiner
SEN, ANINDITA
Art Unit
2478
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
Qualcomm Incorporated
OA Round
6 (Non-Final)
83%
Grant Probability
Favorable
6-7
OA Rounds
2y 11m
To Grant
87%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 83% — above average
83%
Career Allow Rate
62 granted / 75 resolved
+24.7% vs TC avg
Minimal +4% lift
Without
With
+3.9%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 11m
Avg Prosecution
51 currently pending
Career history
126
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.3%
-39.7% vs TC avg
§103
78.5%
+38.5% vs TC avg
§102
14.7%
-25.3% vs TC avg
§112
1.9%
-38.1% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 75 resolved cases

Office Action

§103
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . Response to arguments Applicant remarks dated 11/06/2025 have been considered but are moot in view of new art presented. Allowable Subject Matter Claims 8,23,24 are 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. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action: A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made. Claim(s) 1-8,15-19,25-30 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Seol et al. (US20130301454A1) in view of Orhan et al. (US20210075456A1) Regarding Claim 1 Seol teaches, an apparatus for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), comprising one or more memories storing processor-executable code; and one or more processors with the one or more memories, the at least one processor of the one or more processors Configured to cause the UE to: Fig 9 receive a request to switch from a first beamforming mode to a second beamforming mode, Fig 9,[128]- The MS receives a request message requesting feedback information for digital beamforming of the selected one or more beam pairs from the BS in step 914. In [129-131] In step 916, the MS determines the beam pairs selected by the BS from the request message and detects the channel measurement (beam pairs selected to perform digital beamforming switch). In [131] the switch is performed -The type of digital beamforming to be used may be determined in various manners wherein one of the first beamforming mode and the second beamforming mode is a digital beamforming mode, and [128]- The request message may include information about one or more beam pairs selected by the BS. The request message may further include digital beamforming information. Seol does not teach, and wherein the other of the first beamforming mode and the second beamforming mode is a hybrid beamforming mode or an analog beamforming mode. perform a communication using the second beamforming mode Orhan teaches, wherein the other of the first beamforming mode and the second beamforming mode is a hybrid beamforming mode; and [45]- Similarly, the analog data compression circuit 311 is selectively activated during the hybrid mode as shown in FIG. 3b and selectively deactivated during the digital mode as shown in FIG. 3a perform a communication using the second beamforming mode [46]- In some embodiments, the digital mode and the hybrid mode are configured to repeat at predetermined time intervals, and the digital data compression circuit 314 is configured to adaptively change the data compression metric D during the digital mode associated with each of the respective time intervals. It would have been obvious to a person having an ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Seol, wherein the other of the first beamforming mode and the second beamforming mode is a hybrid beamforming mode or an analog beamforming mode; perform a communication using the second beamforming mode as taught by Orhan to have another option for beamforming mode to have metrics such as SINR. Regarding Claim 2, Seol teaches, The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the request is received from a base station. Fig 9 [128]- The MS receives a request message requesting feedback information for digital beamforming of the selected one or more beam pairs from the BS in step 914. Regarding Claim 3, Seol teaches, The apparatus of claim 2, wherein receiving the request is based at least in part on a channel condition associated with the UE.[128]- In step 912, the MS feeds back information about the selected one or more beam pairs and the CSI (e.g., RSSIs, CINRs, etc.) of the beam pairs to the BS. Regarding Claim 4, Seol does not teach, The apparatus of claim 2, wherein receiving the request is based at least in part on a power condition associated with the UE Orhan teaches, The apparatus of claim 2, wherein receiving the request is based at least in part on a power condition associated with the UE.[33]- measurements are done over time T and vi is average receive power when the direction is frx,i H and transmitter is doing beam sweeping with transmitter beamforming vectors ftx,i H, j=1, . . . , M. If vi is the highest, then i'th receiver beamforming captures the strongest receiver path. It would have been obvious to a person having an ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Seol, The apparatus of claim 2, wherein receiving the request is based at least in part on a power condition associated with the UE as taught by Orhan to have another option for beamforming mode to have metrics such as SINR. Regarding Claim 5, Seol teaches, The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor of the one or more processors is further configured to: transmit, to a base station, a UE request indicating to switch from the first beamforming mode to the second beamforming mode; Fig 9,[128]- The MS receives a request message requesting feedback information for digital beamforming of the selected one or more beam pairs from the BS in step 914. and receive, based at least in part on the UE request, configuration information including the request to switch from the first beamforming mode to the second beamforming mode.[128]- In step 912, the MS feeds back information about the selected one or more beam pairs and the CSI Regarding Claim 6, Seol teaches, The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the UE request is based at least in part on a channel condition associated with the UE or a power condition associated with the UE. [128]- In step 912, the MS feeds back information about the selected one or more beam pairs and the CSI (e.g., RSSIs, CINRs, etc.) of the beam pairs to the BS. Regarding Claim 7, Seol teaches, the apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first beamforming mode is the digital beamforming mode, and wherein the at least one processor of the one or more processors is further configured to: transmit a channel quality report associated with the second beamforming mode, [129]- In step 916, the MS determines the beam pairs selected by the BS from the request message and detects the channel measurement and feedback report condition for the selected beam pairs. wherein performing the communication using the second beamforming mode is based at least in part on the channel quality report [132]- In step 920, the MS transmits feedback information representing the measured effective channel matrix to the BS. Regarding Claim 15, Seol teaches, the apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second beamforming mode in accordance with one or more of: a power state of the UE, a signal to interference plus noise ratio of one or more signals received by the UE, or a signal to interference plus noise ratio of one or more signals received by a base station.[134]- selects a preferred PMI (precoder or codebook) for digital beamforming of the selected beam pairs, and estimates CSI (a CQI, CINR, RSSI or MCS level), thereby generating digital beamforming information in step 922. Regarding Claim 16, Seol teaches, An apparatus for wireless communication at a base station, comprising: one or more memories storing processor-executable code; and one or more processors coupled with the one or more memories, the at least one processor of the one or more processors Configured to cause the apparatus to: transmit a request to a user equipment (UE) indicating to switch from a first beamforming mode to a second beamforming mode, wherein one of the first beamforming mode and the second beamforming mode is a digital beamforming mode, Fig 9,[128]- The MS receives a request message requesting feedback information for digital beamforming of the selected one or more beam pairs from the BS in step 914. In [129-131] In step 916, the MS determines the beam pairs selected by the BS from the request message and detects the channel measurement (beam pairs selected to perform digital beamforming switch). In [131] the switch is performed -The type of digital beamforming to be used may be determined in various manners and wherein the other of the first beamforming mode and the second beamforming mode is an analog beamforming mode or a hybrid beamforming mode; and[128]- The request message may include information about one or more beam pairs selected by the BS. The request message may further include digital beamforming information. transmit, to the UE, configuration information configuring the UE to switch from the first beamforming mode to the second beamforming mode.[128]- In step 912, the MS feeds back information about the selected one or more beam pairs and the CSI (e.g., RSSIs, CINRs, etc.) of the beam pairs to the BS. Seol does not teach, and wherein the other of the first beamforming mode and the second beamforming mode is a hybrid beamforming mode; Orhan teaches, wherein the other of the first beamforming mode and the second beamforming mode is a hybrid beamforming mode; and [45]- Similarly, the analog data compression circuit 311 is selectively activated during the hybrid mode as shown in FIG. 3b and selectively deactivated during the digital mode as shown in FIG. 3a It would have been obvious to a person having an ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Seol, and wherein the other of the first beamforming mode and the second beamforming mode is an analog beamforming mode or a hybrid beamforming mode; as taught by Orhan to have another option for beamforming mode to have metrics such as SINR. Regarding Claim 17, Seol teaches, the apparatus of claim 16, wherein transmitting the request is in accordance with a channel condition associated with the UE. [128]- In step 912, the MS feeds back information about the selected one or more beam pairs and the CSI (e.g., RSSIs, CINRs, etc.) of the beam pairs to the BS. Regarding Claim 18, Seol teaches, The apparatus of claim 16, wherein transmitting the request is in accordance with n a power condition associated with the UE. [33]- measurements are done over time T and vi is average receive power when the direction is frx,i H and transmitter is doing beam sweeping with transmitter beamforming vectors ftx,i H, j=1, . . . , M. If vi is the highest, then i'th receiver beamforming captures the strongest receiver path Regarding Claim 19, Seol teaches, The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: receive, from the UE, a UE request indicating to switch from the first beamforming mode to the second beamforming mode, Fig 9,[128]- The MS receives a request message requesting feedback information for digital beamforming of the selected one or more beam pairs from the BS in step 914. wherein the configuration information in accordance with the UE request. [128]- In step 912, the MS feeds back information about the selected one or more beam pairs and the CSI (e.g., RSSIs, CINRs, etc.) of the beam pairs to the BS. Regarding Claim 25, Seol teaches, The apparatus of claim 16, wherein at least one processor of the one or more processors of the one or more processors is further configured to: receive a UE request to use the second beamforming mode, wherein the configuration information is in accordance with the UE request to use the second beamforming mode.Fig 9 [128]- In step 912, the MS feeds back information about the selected one or more beam pairs and the CSI (e.g., RSSIs, CINRs, etc.) of the beam pairs to the BS. Regarding Claim 26, Seol teaches, The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the second beamforming mode is in accordance with one or more of: a power state of the UE, a signal to interference plus noise ratio of one or more signals received by the UE, or a signal to interference plus noise ratio of one or more signals received by a base station. [134]- selects a preferred PMI (precoder or codebook) for digital beamforming of the selected beam pairs, and estimates CSI (a CQI, CINR, RSSI or MCS level), thereby generating digital beamforming information in step 922. Regarding Claim 27, Seol teaches, A method of wireless communication performed by a user equipment (UE), comprising: Fig 9 receiving a request to switch from a first beamforming mode to a second beamforming mode, Fig 9,[128]- The MS receives a request message requesting feedback information for digital beamforming of the selected one or more beam pairs from the BS in step 914. In [129-131] In step 916, the MS determines the beam pairs selected by the BS from the request message and detects the channel measurement (beam pairs selected to perform digital beamforming switch). In [131] the switch is performed -The type of digital beamforming to be used may be determined in various manners wherein one of the first beamforming mode and the second beamforming mode is a digital beamforming mode, [128]- The request message may include information about one or more beam pairs selected by the BS. The request message may further include digital beamforming information. Seol does not teach, and wherein the other of the first beamforming mode and the second beamforming mode is a hybrid beamforming mode or an analog beamforming mode; Orhan teaches, wherein the other of the first beamforming mode and the second beamforming mode is a hybrid beamforming mode. and performing a communication using the second beamforming mode [46]- In some embodiments, the digital mode and the hybrid mode are configured to repeat at predetermined time intervals, and the digital data compression circuit 314 is configured to adaptively change the data compression metric D during the digital mode associated with each of the respective time intervals. It would have been obvious to a person having an ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Seol, wherein the other of the first beamforming mode and the second beamforming mode is a hybrid beamforming mode; and performing a communication using the second beamforming mode as taught by Orhan to have another option for beamforming mode to have metrics such as SINR. Regarding Claim 28, Seol teaches, The method of claim 27, wherein receiving the request is in accordance with a channel condition associated with the UE. [330]- To this end, the base station may indicate information such as K, O_1TXRU, L, O_2TXRU, etc. or the N_A value to the UE through higher-layer signaling or may pre-agree with the UE about this. The tilting angle or scan angle mainly used for the UE may be limited depending on the UE's channel environment. see also [273] Regarding Claim 29, Seol teaches, The method of claim 27, wherein receiving the request is in accordance with a power condition associated with the UE. [263]- If a transceiver unit (TXRU) is provided for each antenna element to enable adjustment of transmit power and phase, independent beamforming is possible for each frequency resource. Regarding Claim 30, Seol teaches, A method of wireless communication performed by a base station, comprising: transmitting a request to a user equipment (UE) indicating to switch from a first beamforming mode to a second beamforming mode, Fig 9,[128]- The MS receives a request message requesting feedback information for digital beamforming of the selected one or more beam pairs from the BS in step 914. wherein one of the first beamforming mode and the second beamforming mode is a digital beamforming mode, [128]- The request message may include information about one or more beam pairs selected by the BS. The request message may further include digital beamforming information. transmitting, to the UE, configuration information configuring the UE to switch from the first beamforming mode to the second beamforming mode.[128]- In step 912, the MS feeds back information about the selected one or more beam pairs and the CSI (e.g., RSSIs, CINRs, etc.) of the beam pairs to the BS. Seol does not teach, and wherein the other of the first beamforming mode and the second beamforming mode is an analog beamforming mode or a hybrid beamforming mode; Orhan teaches, and wherein the other of the first beamforming mode and the second beamforming mode is an analog beamforming mode or a hybrid beamforming mode; [45]- Similarly, the analog data compression circuit 311 is selectively activated during the hybrid mode as shown in FIG. 3b and selectively deactivated during the digital mode as shown in FIG. 3a. It would have been obvious to a person having an ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Seol, wherein the other of the first beamforming mode and the second beamforming mode is an analog beamforming mode or a hybrid beamforming mode as taught by Orhan to have another option for beamforming mode to have metrics such as SINR. Claim(s) 12-14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Seol et al. (US20130301454A1) in view of Orhan et al. (US20210075456A1) in further view of Kang et al. (US20160080058A1) Regarding Claim 12,Seol in view of Orhan does not teach, The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the request includes an indication of the second beamforming mode, of a set of candidate beamforming modes including the first beamforming mode and the second beamforming mode, to use for performing the communication Kang teaches, The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the request includes an indication of the second beamforming mode, of a set of candidate beamforming modes including the first beamforming mode and the second beamforming mode, to use for performing the communication.[299]- . The UE, which has received the information, selects two or more beamforming modes from among the beamforming modes included in the candidate beamforming mode set and configures and reports CSI information supporting the beamforming modes to the network. It would have been obvious to a person having an ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of in view of Orhan, The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the request includes an indication of the second beamforming mode, of a set of candidate beamforming modes including the first beamforming mode and the second beamforming mode, to use for performing the communication as taught by Kang to have another option for beamforming mode to have metrics such as SINR. Regarding Claim 13, Seol in view of Orhan does not teach, The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least one processor of the one or more processors is further configured to: transmit a UE request to use the second beamforming mode wherein receiving the indication of the second beamforming mode is in accordance with the UE request to use the second beamforming mode. Kang teaches, The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least one processor of the one or more processors is further configured to: transmit a UE request to use the second beamforming mode [299]- The UE, which has received the information, selects two or more beamforming modes from among the beamforming modes included in the candidate beamforming mode set and configures and reports CSI information supporting the beamforming modes to the network. wherein receiving the indication of the second beamforming mode is in accordance with the UE request to use the second beamforming mode The network, which has received the information, selects and applies one of the plurality of beamforming modes selected by the UE and transmits a data signal. It would have been obvious to a person having an ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Seol in view of Orhan, The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least one processor of the one or more processors is further configured to: transmit a UE request to use the second beamforming mode wherein receiving the indication of the second beamforming mode is in accordance with the UE request to use the second beamforming mode. as taught by Kang to have another option for beamforming mode to have metrics such as SINR. Regarding Claim 14, Seol in view of Orhan does not teach, The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least one processor of the one or more processors, to receive the indication of the second beamforming mode,is configured to: receive the indication of the second beamforming mode via one or more of a medium access control element or downlink control information Kang teaches, The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least one processor of the one or more processors, to receive the indication of the second beamforming mode,is configured to: receive the indication of the second beamforming mode via one or more of a medium access control element or downlink control information.[51] It would have been obvious to a person having an ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Seol in view of Orhan, The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least one processor of the one or more processors, to receive the indication of the second beamforming mode is configured to: receive the indication of the second beamforming mode via one or more of a medium access control element or downlink control information as taught by Kang to have another option for beamforming mode to have metrics such as SINR. Claim(s) 9-11,20-22 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Seol et al. (US20130301454A1) in view of Orhan et al. (US20210075456A1) in further view of Luo et al. (US20160269093A1) Regarding Claim 9, Seol in view of Orhan does not teach, The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least one processor of the one or more processors, to receive the indication of the second beamforming mode, is configured to: receive the indication of the second beamforming mode via one or more of a medium access control control element or downlink control information. Luo teaches, The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least one processor of the one or more processors, to receive the indication of the second beamforming mode, is configured to: receive the indication of the second beamforming mode via one or more of a medium access control control element or downlink control information.[32-38];[32] the signal bandwidth can be divided into two parts where one wide bandwidth part can be used for general data transmission by the main transceiver under hybrid beamforming constraints(=hybrid or second beam forming mode); while one narrow bandwidth part(=1Mhz) can be used for initial access digital or first beam forming mode).[34], [35]- [37] auxiliary transceiver is configured to provide the initial access for the user equipment to the access point based on aligning at least one beam of the user equipment with at least one beam of the access point. (=to receive the indication of the second beamforming mode) It would have been obvious to a person having an ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Seol in view of Orhan, The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least one processor of the one or more processors, to receive the indication of the second beamforming mode,is configured to: receive the indication of the second beamforming mode via one or more of a medium access control element or downlink control information as taught by Luo to have another option for beamforming mode to have metrics such as SINR. Regarding Claim 10, Seol in view of Orhan does not teach, The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the configuration information indicates a mapping of a first set of bandwidth parts to the first beamforming mode of the set of beamforming modes of the UE, and wherein the configuration information indicates a mapping of a second set of bandwidth parts to the second beamforming mode of the set of beamforming modes of the UE Luo teaches, The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the configuration information indicates a mapping of a first set of bandwidth parts to the first beamforming mode of the set of beamforming modes of the UE, and ;.[32-38];[32] the signal bandwidth can be divided into two parts where one wide bandwidth part can be used for general data transmission by the main transceiver under hybrid beamforming constraints(=hybrid or second beam forming mode); while one narrow bandwidth part(=1Mhz) can be used for initial access digital or first beam forming mode). wherein the configuration information indicates a mapping of a second set of bandwidth parts to the second beamforming mode of the set of beamforming modes of the UE.see [32-38], [35]- the main transceiver is configured to perform user data transmission between the user equipment and the access point.Here data transmission in not using narrow bandwidth as in initial transmission, rather hybrid beamforming. It would have been obvious to a person having an ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Seol in view of Orhan, The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the configuration information indicates a mapping of a first set of bandwidth parts to the first beamforming mode of the set of beamforming modes of the UE, and wherein the configuration information indicates a mapping of a second set of bandwidth parts to the second beamforming mode of the set of beamforming modes of the UE as taught by Luo to have another option for beamforming mode to have metrics such as SINR. Regarding Claim 11, Seol in view of Orhan does not teach, The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the configuration information indicates a mapping of the one or more bandwidth parts to the digital beamforming mode of the UE, wherein the digital beamforming mode defines a number of inputs and a number of outputs Luo teaches,The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the configuration information indicates a mapping of the one or more bandwidth parts to the digital beamforming mode of the UE, wherein the digital beamforming mode defines a number of inputs and a number of outputs see [32-38] [33]- digital signal processing units are used to couple the processed signals, e.g. if at Tx, a plurality of digital signals consisting of weighted combinations of data streams, via the analog processing chains to the multi-antenna array. It would have been obvious to a person having an ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Seol in view of Orhan, The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the configuration information indicates a mapping of the one or more bandwidth parts to the digital beamforming mode of the UE, wherein the digital beamforming mode defines a number of inputs and a number of outputs as taught by Luo to have another option for beamforming mode to have metrics such as SINR. Regarding Claim 20, Seol in view of Orhan does not teach, The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the at least one processor of the one or more processors is further configured to: transmit configuration information that indicates a mapping of one or more bandwidth parts to a set of beamforming modes of the UE, the set of beamforming modes including the first beamforming mode and the second beamforming mode; and communicate with the UE on a bandwidth part to which the second beamforming mode is mapped. Luo teaches, The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the at least one processor of the one or more processors is further configured to: transmit configuration information that indicates a mapping of one or more bandwidth parts to a set of beamforming modes of the UE, the set of beamforming modes including the first beamforming mode and the second beamforming mode;.[32-38];[32] the signal bandwidth can be divided into two parts where one wide bandwidth part can be used for general data transmission by the main transceiver under hybrid beamforming constraints(=hybrid or second beam forming mode); while one narrow bandwidth part(=1Mhz) can be used for initial access digital or first beam forming mode). and communicate with the UE on a bandwidth part to which the second beamforming mode is mapped [32-37]938]- auxiliary transceiver can assist the AP and UE's to find the best beam directions which accelerates calculating the optimal beam forming coefficients for the hybrid transceiver based on such beam directions. It would have been obvious to a person having an ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Seol in view of Orhan, The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the at least one processor of the one or more processors is further configured to: transmit configuration information that indicates a mapping of one or more bandwidth parts to a set of beamforming modes of the UE, the set of beamforming modes including the first beamforming mode and the second beamforming mode; and communicate with the UE on a bandwidth part to which the second beamforming mode is mapped as taught by Luo to have another option for beamforming mode to have metrics such as SINR. Regarding Claim 21, Seol in view of Orhan does not teach, The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the configuration information indicates a mapping of a first set of bandwidth parts to the first beamforming mode of the set of beamforming modes of the UE, and wherein the configuration information indicates a mapping of a second set of bandwidth parts to the second beamforming mode of the set of beamforming modes of the UE. Luo teaches, The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the configuration information indicates a mapping of a first set of bandwidth parts to the first beamforming mode of the set of beamforming modes of the UE. see [32-38] [32]- The signal bandwidth can be divided into two parts where one wide bandwidth part can be used for general data transmission by the main transceiver under hybrid beamforming constraints; while one narrow bandwidth part (e.g. 1 MHz) can be used for initial access and other optional tasks such as small packet transmission etc. and wherein the configuration information indicates a mapping of a second set of bandwidth parts to the second beamforming mode of the set of beamforming modes of the UE[38]- and wherein the configuration information indicates a mapping of a second set of bandwidth parts to the second beamforming mode of the set of beamforming modes of the UE It would have been obvious to a person having an ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Seol in view of Orhan, The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the configuration information indicates a mapping of a first set of bandwidth parts to the first beamforming mode of the set of beamforming modes of the UE, and wherein the configuration information indicates a mapping of a second set of bandwidth parts to the second beamforming mode of the set of beamforming modes of the UE as taught by Luo to have another option for beamforming mode to have metrics such as SINR. Regarding Claim 22, Seol in view of Orhan does not teach, he apparatus of claim 20, wherein the configuration information indicates a mapping of the one or more bandwidth parts to the digital beamforming mode of the UE, wherein the digital beamforming mode defines a number of inputs and a number of outputs. Luo teaches, The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the configuration information indicates a mapping of the one or more bandwidth parts to the digital beamforming mode of the UE, wherein the digital beamforming mode defines a number of inputs and a number of outputs. see [32-38] [33]- digital signal processing units are used to couple the processed signals, e.g. if at Tx, a plurality of digital signals consisting of weighted combinations of data streams, via the analog processing chains to the multi-antenna array. It would have been obvious to a person having an ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Seol in view of Orhan, he apparatus of claim 20, wherein the configuration information indicates a mapping of the one or more bandwidth parts to the digital beamforming mode of the UE, wherein the digital beamforming mode defines a number of inputs and a number of outputs as taught by Luo to have another option for beamforming mode to have metrics such as SINR. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Anindita Sen whose telephone number is (571)-272-2390. The examiner can normally be reached 7:30am-5:30pm. 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, Joseph Avellino can be reached on (571)-272-3905. 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. /ANINDITA SEN/Examiner, Art Unit 2478 /JOSEPH E AVELLINO/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2478
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Prosecution Timeline

Jul 22, 2021
Application Filed
May 18, 2023
Non-Final Rejection — §103
Jul 03, 2023
Interview Requested
Aug 09, 2023
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)
Aug 09, 2023
Examiner Interview Summary
Sep 01, 2023
Response Filed
Dec 29, 2023
Non-Final Rejection — §103
Feb 15, 2024
Interview Requested
Feb 28, 2024
Examiner Interview Summary
Feb 28, 2024
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)
Apr 02, 2024
Response Filed
Aug 20, 2024
Non-Final Rejection — §103
Sep 24, 2024
Interview Requested
Nov 07, 2024
Examiner Interview Summary
Nov 07, 2024
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)
Nov 19, 2024
Response Filed
Feb 11, 2025
Final Rejection — §103
Feb 26, 2025
Interview Requested
Mar 26, 2025
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)
Mar 26, 2025
Examiner Interview Summary
Apr 15, 2025
Response after Non-Final Action
May 15, 2025
Request for Continued Examination
May 21, 2025
Response after Non-Final Action
Aug 05, 2025
Non-Final Rejection — §103
Sep 25, 2025
Interview Requested
Oct 21, 2025
Examiner Interview Summary
Oct 21, 2025
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)
Nov 06, 2025
Response Filed
Feb 14, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §103
Apr 14, 2026
Interview Requested

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12547166
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TELEOPERATIONS AND SUPPORT SERVICES
2y 5m to grant Granted Feb 10, 2026
Patent 12543075
METHOD AND MULTI SIM UE FOR MANAGING DATA SESSION IN WIRELESS NETWORK
2y 5m to grant Granted Feb 03, 2026
Patent 12526771
OFDMA TRIGGER BASED PEER TO PEER OPERATIONS WITH DUAL-STAGE TRIGGERING
2y 5m to grant Granted Jan 13, 2026
Patent 12526789
COMMUNICATION METHOD AND APPARATUS
2y 5m to grant Granted Jan 13, 2026
Patent 12490205
METHODS AND DEVICES OF INFORMATION TRANSMISSION AND INFORMATION RECEPTION, AND TERMINAL
2y 5m to grant Granted Dec 02, 2025
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

6-7
Expected OA Rounds
83%
Grant Probability
87%
With Interview (+3.9%)
2y 11m
Median Time to Grant
High
PTA Risk
Based on 75 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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