Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 01, 2026
Application No. 17/843,870

CONDITIONAL CELL CHANGE FOR EMISSION MITIGATION

Non-Final OA §102
Filed
Jun 17, 2022
Priority
Jul 30, 2021 — provisional 63/227,931
Examiner
SHEIKH, AYAZ R
Art Unit
2400
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
Apple Inc.
OA Round
3 (Non-Final)
72%
Grant Probability
Favorable
3-4
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
82%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 72% — above average
72%
Career Allowance Rate
26 granted / 36 resolved
+14.2% vs TC avg
Moderate +10% lift
Without
With
+9.7%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 4m
Avg Prosecution
9 currently pending
Career history
45
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
3.1%
-36.9% vs TC avg
§103
47.7%
+7.7% vs TC avg
§102
37.5%
-2.5% vs TC avg
§112
9.4%
-30.6% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 36 resolved cases

Office Action

§102
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 . This office action is responsive to response filed 10/20/2025. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102 In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status. The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action: A person shall be entitled to a patent unless – (a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention. Claims 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Ingo et al. WO 2021224541 A1. As per claim 1, Ingo et al. teach One or more non-transitory, computer-readable media (NTCRM) having instructions that, when executed, cause processor circuitry to (see ref. fig. 3-6, element 412, page 13, line 8 – page 21 line 32, page 24 lines 10-24 and claims 1-37 of the specification). Ingo et al teach receive, from a serving cell, configuration information for one or more candidate cells; identify one or more execution conditions for conditional handover (CHO) or conditional primary secondary cell (PSCell) change (CPC) with respect to the one or more candidate cells(see ref. fig. 3-6, element 412, page 13, line 8 – page 21 line 32, page 24 lines 10-24 and claims 1-37 of the specification); detect a trigger to reduce an uplink transmit power in the serving cell based on a maximum power exposure (MPE) limit(see ref. fig. 3-6, element 412, page 13, line 8 – page 21 line 32, page 24 lines 10-24 and claims 1-37 of the specification); and initiate a handover to a target cell of the one or more candidate cells based on detection of the trigger without the one or more execution conditions being met (see ref. fig. 3-6, element 412, page 13, line 8 – page 21 line 32, page 24 lines 10-24 and claims 1-37 of the specification) . As per claim 2, Ingo et al. teach the one or more NTCRM of claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the processor circuitry to: determine the uplink transmit power is to be reduced from a first level to a second level to comply with the MPE limit; and perform the handover to the target cell based on the second level(see ref. fig. 3-6, element 412, page 12, 13, line 8 – page 21 line 32, page 24 lines 10-24 and claims 1-37 of the specification). As per claim 3, Ingo et al. teach the one or more NTCRM of claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the UE to: determine signaling conditions in the target cell; and perform the handover to the target cell based further on the signaling conditions(see ref. fig. 3-6, element 402, 412, page 13, line 8 – page 21 line 32, page 24 lines 10-24 and claims 1-37 of the specification). As per claim 4, Ingo et al. teach the one or more NTCRM of claim 3, wherein to determine signaling conditions the processor circuitry is to: determine an available uplink transmit power to the target cell or a signal quality of a downlink signal of the target cell(see ref. fig. 3-6, element 402, 412, page 13, line 8 – page 21 line 32, page 24 lines 10-24 and claims 1-37 of the specification) . As per claim 5, Ingo et al. teach the one or more NTCRM of claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the processor circuitry to: calculate throughput with respect to the serving cell or the target cell; and perform the handover based on the throughput (see ref. fig. 3-6, element 412, Page 8, page 13, line 8 – page 21 line 32, page 24 lines 10-24 and claims 1-37 of the specification). . As per claim 6, Ingo et al. teach the one or more NTCRM of claim 1, wherein to detect the trigger the processor circuitry is to: sense a body proximity (see ref. Fi3 and 4, page 14 lines 25-32 of the specification). As per claim 7, Ingo et al. teach the one or more NTCRM of claim 1, wherein the target cell is a neighbor cell or a primary cell of a secondary cell group(see ref. fig. 3-6, element 412, page 13, line 8 – page 21 line 32, page 24 lines 10-24 and claims 1-37 of the specification) . As per claim 8, Ingo et al. teach the one or more NTCRM of claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the processor circuitry to: identify the target cell from the one or more candidate cells based on a measurement of the target cell(see ref. fig. 3-6, element 412, page 13, line 8 – page 21 line 32, page 24 lines 10-24 and claims 1-37 of the specification) . As per claim 9, Ingo et al. teach the one or more NTCRM of claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the processor circuitry to: transmit, to the target cell, a radio resource control (RRC) message that includes an indication that initiating the handover was done without the one or more execution conditions being met; or transmit, to the serving cell, a media access control (MAC) control element (CE) that includes an indication that initiating the handover was done without the one or more execution conditions being met (see ref. fig. 3-6, element 100,104, 120, 122,412, page 13, line 8 – page 21 line 32, page 24 lines 10-24 and claims 1-37 of the specification). As per claim 10, Ingo et al. teach an apparatus comprising: processing circuitry to (see ref. fig. 3-6, element 412, page 13, line 8 – page 21 line 32, page 24 lines 10-24 and claims 1-37 of the specification):receive, from a serving cell, configuration information for a target cell and store the configuration information in the memory; identify one or more execution conditions for conditional handover (CHO) or conditional primary secondary cell (PSCell) change (CPC) to the target cell (see ref. fig. 3- 6, element 412, page 13, line 8 – page 21 line 32, page 24 lines 10-24 and claims 1-37 of the specification); detect a proximate body based on a body proximity sensing (BPS) operation; and initiate a handover to the target cell based on detecting the proximate body without the one or more execution conditions being met (see ref. fig. 3-6, element 412, page 13, line 8 – page 21 line 32, page 24 lines 10-24 and claims 1-37 of the specification); and interface circuitry, coupled with the processing circuitry, to receive the configuration information and facilitate initiation of the handover (see ref. fig. 3-6, element 412, page 13, line 8 – page 21 line 32, page 24 lines 10-24 and claims 1-37 of the specification). As per claim 11, Ingo et al. teach the apparatus of claim 10, wherein the processing circuitry is further to(see ref. fig. 3-6, element 412, page 13, line 8 – page 21 line 32, page 24 lines 10-24 and claims 1-37 of the specification): compare an adjusted serving cell throughput based on an available exposure mitigation technique to a threshold or to a target cell throughput; and initiate the handover to the target cell based on comparison of the adjusted serving cell throughput to the threshold or to the target cell throughput (see ref. fig. 3-6, element 412, page 13, line 8 – page 21 line 32, page 24 lines 10-24 and claims 1-37 of the specification). As per claim 12, Ingo et al. teach the apparatus of claim 11, wherein the available exposure mitigation technique comprises: reducing an uplink transmit power; reducing an average uplink transmit power by reducing an uplink duty cycle; or changing an uplink transmit beam (see ref. fig. 3-6, element 412, page 13, line 8 – page 21 line 32, page 24 lines 10-24 and claims 1-37 of the specification). As per claim 13, Ingo et al. teach the apparatus of claim 11, wherein the available exposure mitigation technique is to reduce directional exposure based on a maximum permissible exposure limit (see ref. fig. 3-6, element 412, page 13, line 8 – page 21 line 32, page 24 lines 10-24 and claims 1-37 of the specification). As per claim 14, Ingo et al apparatus of claim 10, wherein the processing circuitry is further to: determine signaling conditions in the target cell; and perform the handover to the target cell based further on the signaling conditions (see ref. fig. 3-6, element 412, page 13, line 8 – page 21 line 32, page 24 lines 10-24 and claims 1-37 of the specification). As per claim 15, Ingo et al apparatus of claim 10, wherein the target cell is a neighbor cell or a primary cell of a secondary cell group (see ref. fig. 3-6, element 412, page 13, line 8 – page 21 line 32, page 24 lines 10-24 and claims 1-37 of the specification). As per claim 16, Ingo et al apparatus of claim 10, wherein the processing circuitry is further to: receive configuration information for a plurality of candidate cells; and identify the target cell from the plurality of candidate cells based on a measurement of the target cell (see ref. fig. 3-6, element 412, page 12 lines 7 – page 14 line24, and claims 1-37 of the specification). As per claim 17, Ingo et al apparatus of claim 10, wherein the processing circuitry is further to: transmit, to the target cell, a radio resource control (RRC) message that includes an indication that initiating the handover was done without the one or more execution conditions being met; or transmit, to the serving cell, a media access control (MAC) control element (CE) that includes an indication that initiating the handover was done without the one or more execution conditions being met (see ref. fig. 1, 3-6, element 412, page 7 lines 22-36, 13, line 8 – page 21 line 32, page 24 lines 10-24 and claims 1-37 of the specification). As per claim 18, Ingo et al apparatus of claim 10, wherein to initiate the handover the processing circuitry is to: initiate a synchronization with the target cell (see ref. fig. 3-6, element 412, page 13, line 8 – page 21 line 32, page 24 lines 10-24 and claims 1-37 of the specification). As per claim 19, Ingo et al method comprising(see ref. fig. 3-6, element 412, page 13, line 8 – page 21 line 32, page 24 lines 10-24 and claims 1-37 of the specification): generating, for transmission to a user equipment (UE), measurement configurations with respect to one or more neighbor cells (see ref. fig. 3-6, element 412, page 13, line 8 – page 21 line 32, page 24 lines 10-24 and claims 1-37 of the specification); identifying at least one candidate cell from the one or more neighbor cells based on measurement reports received from the UE; and generating, for transmission to the UE, information to configure first execution conditions for conditional handover (CHO) or conditional primary secondary cell change (CPC) to a target cell of the at least one candidate cell, and to configure second execution conditions for an early CHO or an early CPC based on body positioning sensing or a maximum permissible exposure (MPE) limit(see ref. fig. 3-6, element 412, page 13, line 8 – page 21 line 32, page 24 lines 10-24 and claims 1-37 of the specification) . As per claim 20, Ingo et al method of claim 19, further comprising: receive, from the UE, a media access control (MAC) control element (CE) that includes an indication that the UE is to handover to the target cell without the first execution conditions being met (see ref. fig. 1, 3-6, element 412, page 7 lines 22-36, 13, line 8 – page 21 line 32, page 24 lines 10-24 and claims 1-37 of the specification). Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure Deivasigmani G. et al. US 20140200003 see ref. claims 1-23. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to AYAZ R SHEIKH whose telephone number is (571)272-3795. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 8 AM – 5 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, Deborah Reynolds can be reached at 571-272-0734. 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. /AYAZ R SHEIKH/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2476
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Prosecution Timeline

Jun 17, 2022
Application Filed
Nov 06, 2024
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102
Feb 28, 2025
Response Filed
May 19, 2025
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102
Oct 20, 2025
Response Filed
Aug 19, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102 (current)

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Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

3-4
Expected OA Rounds
72%
Grant Probability
82%
With Interview (+9.7%)
3y 4m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
High
PTA Risk
Based on 36 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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