Prosecution Insights
Last updated: May 29, 2026
Application No. 18/013,963

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SETTING UP INTERFACE

Non-Final OA §103
Filed
Dec 30, 2022
Priority
Aug 10, 2020 — nonprovisional of PCTCN2020108140
Examiner
BEAMER, TEMICA M
Art Unit
2646
Tech Center
2600 — Communications
Assignee
BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO., LTD.
OA Round
3 (Non-Final)
88%
Grant Probability
Favorable
3-4
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
92%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 88% — above average
88%
Career Allowance Rate
890 granted / 1009 resolved
+26.2% vs TC avg
Minimal +4% lift
Without
With
+4.1%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 3m
Avg Prosecution
12 currently pending
Career history
1028
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
3.0%
-37.0% vs TC avg
§103
41.9%
+1.9% vs TC avg
§102
28.9%
-11.1% vs TC avg
§112
2.5%
-37.5% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1009 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 with respect to claim(s) 1-3, 5, 7-16, 18, 19 and 24 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument. 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 (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 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) 1-3, 5, 7-16, 18, 19 and 24 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Shiga et al. (Shiga), U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2018/0049088 in view of Xu et al. (Xu), U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2017/0230935. Regarding claim 1, Shiga discloses a method for setting up an interface (X2 interface; see figure 18), performed by a first base station (V2X enb, 0099), the method comprising: sending first support information (V2X capability information) of the first base station for multi-modality communication and/or service (The V2X Capability information may include a more detailed service type, a provider and other attribute information, 0100) to a second base station (existing V2X enb, 0099) in response to a request (X2 Setup Request Message, 0099) by the first base station for setting up an interface with the second base station (First, the V2X eNB 61 transmits an X2 Setup Request message to the existing V2X eNB (S11). The V2X eNB 61 sets to the X2 Setup Request message a parameter indicating that the V2X eNB 61 is a vehicle base station which communicates with the vehicle terminal 40. The parameter indicating that the V2X eNB 61 is a vehicle base station which communicates with the vehicle terminal 40 may be V2X Capability information.) (0099); receiving information of interface setup failure (Connection Rejection is indicated in the cause value sent; 0101) sent by the second base station in response to the second base station declining to set up the interface with the first base station (Further, when deciding in step S12 that the V2X Capability information is not set to the received X2 Setup Request message or it is not possible to meet a request notified by the V2X Capability information, the existing V2X eNB may transmit to the V2X eNB 61 a message to which a Cause value indicating rejection of connection has been set.) (0101). Shiga, however, fails to disclose receiving a reason for interface setup failure wherein the reason is that multi-modality communication and/or service supported by the second base station is different from multi-modality communication and/or service supported by the first base station, resulting in that the first base station and the second base station cannot communicate for the same type of multi-modality communication and/or service. In a similar field of endeavor, Xu discloses methods for supporting access and paging of low complexity user equipment. Xu further discloses receiving a reason for interface setup failure wherein the reason is that multi-modality communication and/or service supported by the second base station is different from multi-modality communication and/or service supported by the first base station (in the case that the target base station does not support low complexity UE, the target base station returns a handover failure message to the source base station directly or via the MME, and indicates that the failure reason is the target base station does not support low complexity UE.) (0241). Therefore, before the effective filing date, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to modify Shiga with the teachings of Xu for the purpose of allowing the system to know why connection failed in order to improve system performance. Regarding claim 2, Shiga as modified discloses the method according to claim 1, further comprising: receiving second support information of the second base station for multi-modality communication and/or service sent by the second base station in response to the second base station agreeing (Connection Agreement is indicated in the cause value sent; 0101) to set up the interface with the first base station (Next, the existing V2X eNB transmits to the V2X eNB 61 the X2 Setup Response message to which the V2X Capability information indicating that the existing V2X eNB is the vehicle base station has been set (S13). Next, the V2X eNB 61 holds the V2X Capability information set to the received X2 Setup Response message.) (0100). Regarding claim 3, Shiga as modified discloses the method according to claim 2, wherein the second support information is carried in an interface setup response signaling sent to the first base station from the second base station Next, the existing V2X eNB transmits to the V2X eNB 61 the X2 Setup Response message to which the V2X Capability information indicating that the existing V2X eNB is the vehicle base station has been set (S13). Next, the V2X eNB 61 holds the V2X Capability information set to the received X2 Setup Response message.) (0100). Regarding claim 5, Shiga as modified discloses the method according to claim 1, where the reason information is carried in an interface setup failure signaling sent to the first base station from the second base station (in the case that the target base station does not support low complexity UE, the target base station returns a handover failure message to the source base station directly or via the MME, and indicates that the failure reason is the target base station does not support low complexity UE.) (Xu, 0241). Regarding claim 7, Shiga as modified discloses the method according to claim 1, wherein the reason information comprises the multi-modality communication and/or service supported by the second base station being partially or all different from the multi-modality communication and/or service supported by the first base station (in the case that the target base station does not support low complexity UE, the target base station returns a handover failure message to the source base station directly or via the MME, and indicates that the failure reason is the target base station does not support low complexity UE.) (Xu, 0241). Regarding claim 8, Shiga as modified discloses the method according to claim 1, wherein the reason comprises the second base station supporting target multi-modality communication and/or service, and the first base station not supporting the target multi-modality communication and/or service (in the case that the target base station does not support low complexity UE, the target base station returns a handover failure message to the source base station directly or via the MME, and indicates that the failure reason is the target base station does not support low complexity UE.) (Xu, 0241). Regarding claim 9, Shiga as modified discloses the method according to claim 1, where the first support information is carried in an interface setup request signaling sent to the second base station from the first base station (First, the V2X eNB 61 transmits an X2 Setup Request message to the existing V2X eNB (S11). The V2X eNB 61 sets to the X2 Setup Request message a parameter indicating that the V2X eNB 61 is a vehicle base station which communicates with the vehicle terminal 40. The parameter indicating that the V2X eNB 61 is a vehicle base station which communicates with the vehicle terminal 40 may be V2X Capability information.) (0099). Regarding claim 10, Shiga as modified discloses the method according to claim 1, wherein the interface comprises at least one of an XN interface and an X2 interface (First, the V2X eNB 61 transmits an X2 Setup Request message to the existing V2X eNB (S11).) (0099). Regarding claim 11, Shiga discloses a method for setting up an interface, performed by a second base station, the method comprising: receiving first support information of a first base station for multi-modality communication and/or service sent by the first base station; and determining whether to set up an interface with the first base station (as indicated in the Cause Value sent by the second base station to the first base station) according to the first support information (Next, the existing V2X eNB holds the V2X Capability information set to the received X2 Setup Request message (S12). Next, the existing V2X eNB transmits to the V2X eNB 61 the X2 Setup Response message to which the V2X Capability information indicating that the existing V2X eNB is the vehicle base station has been set (S13). Next, the V2X eNB 61 holds the V2X Capability information set to the received X2 Setup Response message. The V2X Capability information may include a more detailed service type, a provider and other attribute information. The V2X Capability information set to a message different from the X2 Setup Request message may also include a more detailed service type, a provider and other attribute information likewise. Further, when deciding in step S12 that the V2X Capability information is not set to the received X2 Setup Request message or it is not possible to meet a request notified by the V2X Capability information, the existing V2X eNB may transmit to the V2X eNB 61 a message to which a Cause value indicating rejection of connection has been set.) (0100 and 0101). Shiga, however, fails to disclose sending a reason for interface setup failure to the first base station in a case where the second base station declining to set up the interface with the first base station wherein the reason is that multi-modality communication and/or service supported by the second base station is different from multi-modality communication and/or service supported by the first base station, resulting in that the first base station and the second base station cannot communicate for the same type of multi-modality communication and/or service. Xu discloses receiving a reason for interface setup failure wherein the reason is that multi-modality communication and/or service supported by the second base station is different from multi-modality communication and/or service supported by the first base station (in the case that the target base station does not support low complexity UE, the target base station returns a handover failure message to the source base station directly or via the MME, and indicates that the failure reason is the target base station does not support low complexity UE.) (0241). Therefore, before the effective filing date, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to modify Shiga with the teachings of Xu for the purpose of allowing the system to know why connection failed in order to improve system performance. Regarding claim 12, Shiga as modified discloses the method according to claim 11, where determining whether to set up the interface with the first base station according to the first support information comprises: determining to set up the interface with the first base station in response to multi-modality communication and/or service supported by the second base station being the same as multi-modality communication and/or service supported by the first base station (Next, the existing V2X eNB holds the V2X Capability information set to the received X2 Setup Request message (S12). Next, the existing V2X eNB transmits to the V2X eNB 61 the X2 Setup Response message to which the V2X Capability information indicating that the existing V2X eNB is the vehicle base station has been set (S13). Next, the V2X eNB 61 holds the V2X Capability information set to the received X2 Setup Response message. The V2X Capability information may include a more detailed service type, a provider and other attribute information. The V2X Capability information set to a message different from the X2 Setup Request message may also include a more detailed service type, a provider and other attribute information likewise. Further, when deciding in step S12 that the V2X Capability information is not set to the received X2 Setup Request message or it is not possible to meet a request notified by the V2X Capability information, the existing V2X eNB may transmit to the V2X eNB 61 a message to which a Cause value indicating rejection of connection has been set.) (0100 and 0101). Regarding claim 13, Shiga as modified discloses the method according to claim 12, wherein determining to set up the interface with the first base station in response to the multi-modality communication and/or service supported by the second base station being the same as the multi-modality communication and/or service supported by the first base station comprises: determining to set up the interface with the first base station in response to the multi-modality communication and/or service supported by the second base station being partially or all the same as the multi-modality communication and/or service supported by the first base station (Next, the existing V2X eNB holds the V2X Capability information set to the received X2 Setup Request message (S12). Next, the existing V2X eNB transmits to the V2X eNB 61 the X2 Setup Response message to which the V2X Capability information indicating that the existing V2X eNB is the vehicle base station has been set (S13). Next, the V2X eNB 61 holds the V2X Capability information set to the received X2 Setup Response message. The V2X Capability information may include a more detailed service type, a provider and other attribute information. The V2X Capability information set to a message different from the X2 Setup Request message may also include a more detailed service type, a provider and other attribute information likewise. Further, when deciding in step S12 that the V2X Capability information is not set to the received X2 Setup Request message or it is not possible to meet a request notified by the V2X Capability information, the existing V2X eNB may transmit to the V2X eNB 61 a message to which a Cause value indicating rejection of connection has been set.) (0100 and 0101). Regarding claim 14, Shiga as modified discloses he method according to claim 12, wherein determining to set up the interface with the first base station in response to the multi-modality communication and/or service supported by the second base station being the same as the multi-modality communication and/or service supported by the first base station comprises: determining to set up the interface with the first base station in response to the second base station supporting target multi-modality communication and/or service and the first base station supporting the target multi-modality communication and/or service (Next, the existing V2X eNB holds the V2X Capability information set to the received X2 Setup Request message (S12). Next, the existing V2X eNB transmits to the V2X eNB 61 the X2 Setup Response message to which the V2X Capability information indicating that the existing V2X eNB is the vehicle base station has been set (S13). Next, the V2X eNB 61 holds the V2X Capability information set to the received X2 Setup Response message. The V2X Capability information may include a more detailed service type, a provider and other attribute information. The V2X Capability information set to a message different from the X2 Setup Request message may also include a more detailed service type, a provider and other attribute information likewise. Further, when deciding in step S12 that the V2X Capability information is not set to the received X2 Setup Request message or it is not possible to meet a request notified by the V2X Capability information, the existing V2X eNB may transmit to the V2X eNB 61 a message to which a Cause value indicating rejection of connection has been set.) (0100 and 0101). Regarding claim 15, Shiga as modified discloses the method according to claim 11, further comprising: sending second support information of the second base station for multi-modality communication and/or service to the first base station in response to agreeing to set up the interface with the first base station (Further, when deciding in step S12 that the V2X Capability information is not set to the received X2 Setup Request message or it is not possible to meet a request notified by the V2X Capability information, the existing V2X eNB may transmit to the V2X eNB 61 a message to which a Cause value indicating rejection of connection has been set.) (0101). Regarding claim 16, Shiga as modified discloses the method according to claim 15, wherein the second support information is carried in an interface setup response signaling sent to the first base station from the second base station (Next, the existing V2X eNB transmits to the V2X eNB 61 the X2 Setup Response message to which the V2X Capability information indicating that the existing V2X eNB is the vehicle base station has been set (S13). Next, the V2X eNB 61 holds the V2X Capability information set to the received X2 Setup Response message. The V2X Capability information may include a more detailed service type, a provider and other attribute information. The V2X Capability information set to a message different from the X2 Setup Request message may also include a more detailed service type, a provider and other attribute information likewise.) (0100). Regarding claim 18, Shiga as modified discloses the method according to claim 17, wherein the reason is carried in an interface setup failure signaling sent to the first base station from the second base station (Further, when deciding in step S12 that the V2X Capability information is not set to the received X2 Setup Request message or it is not possible to meet a request notified by the V2X Capability information, the existing V2X eNB may transmit to the V2X eNB 61 a message to which a Cause value indicating rejection of connection has been set.) (0101). Regarding claim 19, Shiga as modified discloses the method according to claim 11, the reason comprises the multi-modality communication and/or service supported by the second base station being partially or all different from the multi-modality communication and/or service supported by the first base station; or the reason comprises the second base station supporting target multi-modality communication and/or service, and the first base station not supporting the target multi-modality communication and/or service (in the case that the target base station does not support low complexity UE, the target base station returns a handover failure message to the source base station directly or via the MME, and indicates that the failure reason is the target base station does not support low complexity UE.) (0241). Regarding claim 24, Shiga discloses an apparatus for setting up an interface, applicable for a first base station, the apparatus comprising: a processor; a memory, configured to store instructions executable by the processor (The V2X eNB 61 may be a computer apparatus which operates when the processor executes the program stored in the memory. Further, each component which configures the V2X eNB 61 may be software or a module which executes processing when the processor executes the program stored in the memory. Furthermore, each component which configures the V2X eNB 61 may be configured by a circuit.) (0062); wherein the processor is configured to implement; sending first support information of the first base station for multi-modality communication and/or service to a second base station in response to a request by the first base station for setting up an interface with the second base station (First, the V2X eNB 61 transmits an X2 Setup Request message to the existing V2X eNB (S11). The V2X eNB 61 sets to the X2 Setup Request message a parameter indicating that the V2X eNB 61 is a vehicle base station which communicates with the vehicle terminal 40. The parameter indicating that the V2X eNB 61 is a vehicle base station which communicates with the vehicle terminal 40 may be V2X Capability information.) (0099). Shiga, however, fails to disclose receiving a reason for interface setup failure to the first base station in a case where the second base station declining to set up the interface with the first base station wherein the reason is that multi-modality communication and/or service supported by the second base station is different from multi-modality communication and/or service supported by the first base station, resulting in that the first base station and the second base station cannot communicate for the same type of multi-modality communication and/or service. Xu discloses methods for supporting access and paging of low complexity user equipment. Xu further discloses receiving a reason for interface setup failure wherein the reason is that multi-modality communication and/or service supported by the second base station is different from multi-modality communication and/or service supported by the first base station (in the case that the target base station does not support low complexity UE, the target base station returns a handover failure message to the source base station directly or via the MME, and indicates that the failure reason is the target base station does not support low complexity UE.) (0241). Therefore, before the effective filing date, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to modify Shiga with the teachings of Xu for the purpose of allowing the system to know why connection failed in order to improve system performance. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Shi et al. U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2012/0270552 discloses a method for processing handover capability and a base station. Stauffer et al. U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2020/0045612 discloses managing mobility between a cellular network and a WLAN. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to TEMICA M. BEAMER whose telephone number is (571)272-7797. The examiner can normally be reached Monday thru Friday; 9:00 AM to 3:00 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, Matthew D. Anderson can be reached at 571-272-4177. 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. /TEMICA M BEAMER/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2646
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Dec 30, 2022
Application Filed
May 22, 2025
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103
Aug 19, 2025
Response Filed
Nov 17, 2025
Final Rejection mailed — §103
Jan 08, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
Feb 03, 2026
Request for Continued Examination
Feb 17, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
Mar 09, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12641489
CONTROL INSTRUCTION METHOD AND DEVICE, AND BEHAVIOR CONTROL METHOD AND DEVICE
2y 8m to grant Granted May 26, 2026
Patent 12641514
NETWORK ACCELERATION METHOD, ELECTRONIC DEVICE, AND READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM
2y 5m to grant Granted May 26, 2026
Patent 12634710
COMMUNICATION METHOD AND APPARATUS
2y 7m to grant Granted May 19, 2026
Patent 12628072
BEACONS HAVING SERVICE-SPECIFIC INFORMATION
2y 9m to grant Granted May 12, 2026
Patent 12627948
DEVICE-FREE LOCALIZATION METHODS WITHIN SMART INDOOR ENVIRONMENTS
2y 7m to grant Granted May 12, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

Strategy Recommendation AI-generated — please review before filing

Get a prosecution strategy drawn from examiner precedents, rejection analysis, and claim mapping.
Typically takes 5-10 seconds — AI-generated, attorney review required before filing

Prosecution Projections

3-4
Expected OA Rounds
88%
Grant Probability
92%
With Interview (+4.1%)
2y 3m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
High
PTA Risk
Based on 1009 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance 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