Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 02, 2026
Application No. 18/021,289

USING THE EXPECTED TIME TO BE SERVED AS CELL SELECTION AND RESELECTION CRITERION IN A NON-TERRESTRIAL NETWORK

Non-Final OA §103
Filed
Feb 14, 2023
Priority
Aug 17, 2020 — provisional 63/066,751 +1 more
Examiner
HOLLAND, JENEE LAUREN
Art Unit
2469
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
OA Round
5 (Non-Final)
84%
Grant Probability
Favorable
5-6
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
91%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 84% — above average
84%
Career Allowance Rate
597 granted / 715 resolved
+25.5% vs TC avg
Moderate +7% lift
Without
With
+7.2%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 11m
Avg Prosecution
41 currently pending
Career history
750
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
8.8%
-31.2% vs TC avg
§103
63.1%
+23.1% vs TC avg
§102
15.4%
-24.6% vs TC avg
§112
9.2%
-30.8% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 715 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 . 1. Claims 1, 3, 5-10, 18, 21-26, and 30-32 are pending. Claims 2, 4,11-17, 19-20, and 27-29 are cancelled. Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114 2. A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 05/06/2026 has been entered. 3. Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) 1, 5-6, 8-10, 18, 21-22, 24-26, and 30-32 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. The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 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. 4. Claim(s) 1, 5-6, 8-10, 18, 21-22, 24-26, and 30-32 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over WO 2020/092566 (as cited in the IDS dated 02/14/2023) hereafter ‘566 in view of Jung et al, US 2015/0050934 hereafter Jung and further in view of Hong, US 2023/0300699 hereafter Hong. As for claim 1, ‘566 discloses: A method performed by a wireless device for cell selection in a Non-Terrestrial Network, NTN, the method comprising: obtaining information indicating an expected time for the wireless device to be served in at least one cell (Fig. 5B, [0095]-[0097], The WTRU 560 may examine the candidate beams within the selected constellation. The WTRU 560 may determine a weighted sum of metrics for the candidate beams. Dwelling duration refers to the expected time the WTRU determines it would be able to remain connected to and/or send/receive signals to/from a satellite. The Examiner interprets dwell(ing) duration corresponds to the “expected time”. FIG. 5B shows example footprints of satellites 550, 552 within a constellation. Each satellite 550, 552 may include one or more cells. Each cell may provide a beam that produces a footprint {e.g., such as footprints A, B, C). A WTRU 560 may be located within one or more footprints. For example, the WTRU 560 may be within footprint A of a first satellite 550, footprint B of the first satellite 550, and/or footprint C of a second satellite 552. The WTRU 560 may determine Footprint A may be provided by a first cell (e.g., a beam of the first cell) of the first satellite 550. Footprint B may be provided by a second cell (e.g., a beam of the second cell) of the first satellite 550. Footprint C may bs provided by a first cell (e.g., a beam of the first cell) of the second satellite 560. The WTRU 560 may examine the candidate beams within the selected constellation. ); and determining whether to perform a cell selection or reselection procedure based at least in part on the information indicating the expected time for the wireless device to be served in the at least one cell ([0095]-[0097], [0101], [0104], Determining cell selection/reselection based on system information or dedicated signaling, weights for maximize dwell duration. Dwelling duration refers to the expected time the WTRU determines it would be able to remain connected to and/or send/receive signals to/from a satellite. The selected satellite constellation may include a plurality of candidate satellites. Each of the plurality of candidate satellites may include one or more cells (e.g., candidate beams). The WTRU may select the highest ranked candidate beam for cell selection. a WTRU (e.g., such as WTRU 560) may prioritize dwelling duration when selecting a cell). ‘566 does not explicitly disclose wherein determining whether to perform the cell selection or reselection procedure based at least in part on the information comprises determining to perform the cell selection or reselection procedure when the expected time for the wireless device to be served in the at least one cell drops below a threshold. However, Jung discloses wherein determining whether to perform the cell selection or reselection procedure based at least in part on the information comprises determining to perform the cell selection or reselection procedure when the expected time for the wireless device to be served in the at least one cell drops below a threshold (Jung, Fig. 13, [0011]-[0012], [0232]-[0233], determining to perform a cell moving/reselection based on determining when/if the expected residence time is smaller than a specific reference value.) It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of ‘566 with determining whether to perform the cell selection or reselection procedure based at least in part on the information comprises determining to perform the cell selection or reselection procedure when the expected time for the wireless device to be served in the at least one cell drops below a threshold as taught by Jung to provide improved UE mobility. The combination of ‘566 and Jung does not explicitly disclose receiving, from a network node, information indicating an expected time for the wireless device to be served in at least one cell, wherein the information is received in the broadcast information. However, Hong discloses receiving, from a network node, information indicating an expected time for the wireless device to be served in at least one cell, wherein the information is received in the broadcast information. (Hong, [0116], the first weight values can be broadcast to the user equipment by the satellite [0071], for each of the at least one satellite, it can respectively configure a corresponding first weight value for dwell time defining when its cell dwell in the one or more regions, and the first weight value is sent to the user equipment in a form of broadcast signaling, and the user equipment receives the first weight value.) It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the combination of the teachings of ‘566 and Jung with receiving, from a network node, information indicating an expected time for the wireless device to be served in at least one cell, wherein the information is received in the broadcast information as taught by Hong to provide improved selection and reselection of cells in satellite communication systems (Hong, [0038]). As for claim 5, ‘566 discloses: The wireless device is in an RRC_IDLE ([0086], UE is in an idle state) or RRC_INACTIVE state. As for claim 6, ‘566 discloses: The information comprises a plurality of values, each of the plurality of values being associated with an expected time for the wireless device to be served in a respective one of a plurality of target cells, and determining whether to perform the cell selection or reselection procedure based at least in part on the information comprises selecting the target cell associated with a highest one of the plurality of values ([0097], [0101], [0104], Determine cell selection/reselection based on system information or dedicated signaling, weights for maximize dwell duration. Dwelling duration refers to the expected time the WTRU determines it would be able to remain connected to and/or send/receive signals to/from a satellite. The selected satellite constellation may include a plurality of candidate satellites. Each of the plurality of candidate satellites may include one or more cells (e.g., candidate beams). The WTRU may select the highest ranked candidate beam for cell selection). As for claim 8, ‘566 discloses: Obtain additional information comprising: a plurality of Received Signal Received Power (RSRP) values ([0078], The RSRP and/or RSRP values from the candidate cells), wherein each of the plurality of RSRP values is associated with an associated one of the plurality of target cells ([0078], The RSRP and/or RSRP values from the candidate cells); and/or a plurality of Received Signal Received Quality (RSRQ) values, wherein each of the plurality of RSRQ values is associated with an associated one of the plurality of target cells ([0078], The RSRP and/or RSRP values from the candidate cells); and rank the plurality of target cells based at least in part on the additional information ([0078], Ranking candidate cells). As for claim 9, ‘566 discloses: The expected time for the wireless device to be served in the at least one cell is one of a plurality of criteria used for determining whether to perform a cell selection or reselection procedure ([0097], [0101], [0104], Determine cell selection/reselection based on system information or dedicated signaling including a plurality of criteria for making the determination), the plurality of criteria comprises at least one of: Reference Signal Received Power ([0078], The RSRP and/or RSRP values from the candidate cells), Reference Signal Received Quality ([0078], The RSRP and/or RSRP values from the candidate cells), Signal Interference to Noise Ratio, Signal to Noise Ratio, received Signal Strength Indicator ([0076], The RSSI values from the candidate cells), and pathloss ([0103], Performing reselection based on criteria such as pathloss), and determining whether to perform a cell selection or reselection procedure comprises comparing one or more of the plurality of criteria to one or more thresholds ([0076], Determining whether to perform a cell selection or reselection procedure comprises comparing RSSI to a threshold). As for claim 10, ‘566 discloses: A method performed by a network node in a Non-Terrestrial Network, NTN (par. [0099]: "When used herein, the terms assistance information, satellite assistance information, constellation assistance information, constellation topology assistance information, etc. may be used to refer to any information provided by a network for assisting a WTRU in identifying, tracking, measuring, and/or selecting one or more satellite constellations for purposes of establishing communications (e.g., for cell selection/reselection)", and par. [0101]: "the WTRUs receive, e.g., via system information or dedicated signaling") , the method comprising: transmitting, to a wireless device, information associated with an expected time for the wireless device to be served in at least one cell (par. [0101]: "In an example, the WTRUs receive, e.g., via system information or dedicated signaling, weights to apply for link access. [..] Similarly, weights may be applied for [..] links that maximize dwell duration"). ‘566 does not explicitly disclose wherein determining whether to perform the cell selection or reselection procedure based at least in part on the information comprises determining to perform the cell selection or reselection procedure when the expected time for the wireless device to be served in the at least one cell drops below a threshold. However, Jung discloses wherein determining whether to perform the cell selection or reselection procedure based at least in part on the information comprises determining to perform the cell selection or reselection procedure when the expected time for the wireless device to be served in the at least one cell drops below a threshold (Jung, Fig. 13, [0011]-[0012], [0232]-[0233], determining to perform a cell moving/reselection based on determining when/if the expected residence time is smaller than a specific reference value.). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of ‘566 with Jung to provide improved UE mobility. The combination of ‘566 and Jung does not explicitly disclose transmitting, to a wireless device, information indicating an expected time for the wireless device to be served in at least one cell, wherein the information is received in the broadcast information. However, Hong discloses disclose transmitting, to a wireless device, information indicating an expected time for the wireless device to be served in at least one cell, wherein the information is received in the broadcast information. (Hong, [0116], the first weight values can be broadcast to the user equipment by the satellite [0071], for each of the at least one satellite, it can respectively configure a corresponding first weight value for dwell time defining when its cell dwell in the one or more regions, and the first weight value is sent to the user equipment in a form of broadcast signaling, and the user equipment receives the first weight value.) It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the combination of the teachings of ‘566 and Jung with disclose transmitting, to a wireless device, information indicating an expected time for the wireless device to be served in at least one cell, wherein the information is received in the broadcast information as taught by Hong to provide improved selection and reselection of cells in satellite communication systems (Hong, [0038]). As for claim 18, ‘566 discloses: A wireless device adapted to: obtain information indicating an expected time for the wireless device to be served in at least one cell; and determine whether to perform a cell selection or reselection procedure based at least in part on the information indicating the expected time for the wireless device to be served in the at least one cell ([0097], [0101], [0104], Determine cell selection/reselection based on system information or dedicated signaling, weights for maximize dwell duration. Dwelling duration refers to the expected time the WTRU determines it would be able to remain connected to and/or send/receive signals to/from a satellite. The selected satellite constellation may include a plurality of candidate satellites. Each of the plurality of candidate satellites may include one or more cells (e.g., candidate beams). The WTRU may select the highest ranked candidate beam for cell selection). ‘566 does not explicitly disclose wherein determining whether to perform the cell selection or reselection procedure based at least in part on the information comprises determining to perform the cell selection or reselection procedure when the expected time for the wireless device to be served in the at least one cell drops below a threshold. However, Jung discloses wherein determining whether to perform the cell selection or reselection procedure based at least in part on the information comprises determining to perform the cell selection or reselection procedure when the expected time for the wireless device to be served in the at least one cell drops below a threshold (Jung, Fig. 13, [0011]-[0012], [0232]-[0233], determining to perform a cell moving/reselection based on determining when/if the expected residence time is smaller than a specific reference value.). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of ‘566 with Jung to provide improved UE mobility. The combination of ‘566 and Jung does not explicitly disclose receiving, from a network node, information indicating an expected time for the wireless device to be served in at least one cell, wherein the information is received in the broadcast information. However, Hong discloses receiving, from a network node, information indicating an expected time for the wireless device to be served in at least one cell, wherein the information is received in the broadcast information. (Hong, [0116], the first weight values can be broadcast to the user equipment by the satellite [0071], for each of the at least one satellite, it can respectively configure a corresponding first weight value for dwell time defining when its cell dwell in the one or more regions, and the first weight value is sent to the user equipment in a form of broadcast signaling, and the user equipment receives the first weight value.) It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the combination of the teachings of ‘566 and Jung with receiving, from a network node, information indicating an expected time for the wireless device to be served in at least one cell, wherein the information is received in the broadcast information as taught by Hong to provide improved selection and reselection of cells in satellite communication systems (Hong, [0038]). As for claim 21, ‘566 discloses: The wireless device is in an RRC_IDLE ([0086], UE is in an idle state) or RRC_INACTIVE state. As for claim 22, ‘566 discloses: The information comprises a plurality of values, each of the plurality of values being associated with an expected time for the wireless device to be served in a respective one of a plurality of target cells, and when determining whether to perform the cell selection or reselection procedure based at least in part on the information, the wireless device is adapted to select the target cell associated with a highest one of the plurality of values ([0097], [0101], [0104], Determine cell selection/reselection based on system information or dedicated signaling, weights for maximize dwell duration. Dwelling duration refers to the expected time the WTRU determines it would be able to remain connected to and/or send/receive signals to/from a satellite. The selected satellite constellation may include a plurality of candidate satellites. Each of the plurality of candidate satellites may include one or more cells (e.g., candidate beams). The WTRU may select the highest ranked candidate beam for cell selection). As for claim 24, ‘566 discloses: Obtain additional information comprising: a plurality of Received Signal Received Power (RSRP) values ([0078], The RSRP and/or RSRP values from the candidate cells), wherein each of the plurality of RSRP values is associated with an associated one of the plurality of target cells ([0078], The RSRP and/or RSRP values from the candidate cells); and/or a plurality of Received Signal Received Quality (RSRQ) values, wherein each of the plurality of RSRQ values is associated with an associated one of the plurality of target cells ([0078], The RSRP and/or RSRP values from the candidate cells); and rank the plurality of target cells based at least in part on the additional information ([0078], Ranking candidate cells). As for claim 25, ‘566 discloses: The expected time for the wireless device to be served in the at least one cell is one of a plurality of criteria used for determining whether to perform a cell selection or reselection procedure ([0097], [0101], [0104], Determine cell selection/reselection based on system information or dedicated signaling including a plurality of criteria for making the determination), and the plurality of criteria comprising at least one of: Reference Signal Received Power ([0078], The RSRP and/or RSRP values from the candidate cells), Reference Signal Received Quality ([0078], The RSRP and/or RSRP values from the candidate cells), Signal Interference to Noise Ratio, Signal to Noise Ratio, received Signal Strength Indicator ([0076], The RSSI values from the candidate cells), and pathloss([0103], Performing reselection based on criteria such as pathloss), and when determining whether to perform a cell selection or reselection procedure, the wireless device is adapted to compare one or more of the plurality of criteria to one or more thresholds ([0076], Determining whether to perform a cell selection or reselection procedure comprises comparing RSSI to a threshold). As for claim 26, ‘566 discloses: A network node in a Non-Terrestrial Network, NTN, the network node adapted to: transmit, to a wireless device, information associated with an expected time for the wireless device to be served in at least one cell ([0097], [0101], [0104], Transmit system information or dedicated signaling, weights for maximize dwell duration. Dwelling duration refers to the expected time the WTRU determines it would be able to remain connected to and/or send/receive signals to/from a satellite), determine whether to perform a cell selection or reselection procedure based at least in part on the information associated with the expected time for the wireless device to be served in the at least one cell ([0095]-[0097], [0101], [0104], [0109], The satellite platform determines cell selection/reselection based on the system information which is associated with the dwelling duration. The satellite/aerial platform may discourage the selection of such cells/spot beams. For example, the satellite/aerial platform may apply weighting penalties for selecting a spot beam that is currently servicing across billing/roaming regions (e.g., a country border). For example, the satellite/aerial platform may bar the WTRU from accessing the cell/spot beam. Determining cell selection/reselection based on system information or dedicated signaling, weights for maximize dwell duration. Dwelling duration refers to the expected time the WTRU determines it would be able to remain connected to and/or send/receive signals to/from a satellite. The selected satellite constellation may include a plurality of candidate satellites. Each of the plurality of candidate satellites may include one or more cells (e.g., candidate beams). The WTRU may select the highest ranked candidate beam for cell selection. a WTRU (e.g., such as WTRU 560) may prioritize dwelling duration when selecting a cell). ‘566 does not explicitly disclose wherein determining whether to perform the cell selection or reselection procedure based at least in part on the information comprises determining to perform the cell selection or reselection procedure when the expected time for the wireless device to be served in the at least one cell drops below a threshold. However, Jung discloses wherein determining whether to perform the cell selection or reselection procedure based at least in part on the information comprises determining to perform the cell selection or reselection procedure when the expected time for the wireless device to be served in the at least one cell drops below a threshold (Jung, Fig. 13, [0011]-[0012], [0232]-[0233], determining to perform a cell moving/reselection based on determining when/if the expected residence time is smaller than a specific reference value.). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of ‘566 with Jung to provide improved UE mobility. The combination of ‘566 and Jung does not explicitly disclose transmitting, to a wireless device, information indicating an expected time for the wireless device to be served in at least one cell. The combination of ‘566 and Jung does not explicitly disclose transmitting, to a wireless device, information indicating an expected time for the wireless device to be served in at least one cell, wherein the information is received in the broadcast information. However, Hong discloses disclose transmitting, to a wireless device, information indicating an expected time for the wireless device to be served in at least one cell, wherein the information is received in the broadcast information. (Hong, [0116], the first weight values can be broadcast to the user equipment by the satellite [0071], for each of the at least one satellite, it can respectively configure a corresponding first weight value for dwell time defining when its cell dwell in the one or more regions, and the first weight value is sent to the user equipment in a form of broadcast signaling, and the user equipment receives the first weight value.) It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the combination of the teachings of ‘566 and Jung with disclose transmitting, to a wireless device, information indicating an expected time for the wireless device to be served in at least one cell, wherein the information is received in the broadcast information as taught by Hong to provide improved selection and reselection of cells in satellite communication systems (Hong, [0038]). As for claim 30, ‘566 discloses: The network node is adapted to: obtain a plurality of values, each of the plurality of values being associated with an expected time for the wireless device to be served in a respective one of a plurality of target cells, and select a target cell associated with a highest one of the plurality of values ([0097], [0101], [0104], Determine cell selection/reselection based on system information or dedicated signaling, weights for maximize dwell duration. Dwelling duration refers to the expected time the WTRU determines it would be able to remain connected to and/or send/receive signals to/from a satellite. The selected satellite constellation may include a plurality of candidate satellites. Each of the plurality of candidate satellites may include one or more cells (e.g., candidate beams). The WTRU may select the highest ranked candidate beam for cell selection). As for claim 31, ‘566 discloses: The network node is adapted to: obtain additional information comprising: a plurality of Received Signal Received Power (RSRP) values ([0078], The RSRP and/or RSRP values from the candidate cells), wherein each of the plurality of RSRP values is associated with an associated one of the plurality of target cells ([0078], The RSRP and/or RSRP values from the candidate cells); and/or a plurality of Received Signal Received Quality (RSRQ) values, wherein each of the plurality of RSRQ values is associated with an associated one of the plurality of target cells ([0078], The RSRP and/or RSRP values from the candidate cells); and rank the plurality of target cells based at least in part on the additional information ([0078], Ranking candidate cells). As for claim 32, ‘566 discloses: The expected time for the wireless device to be served in the at least one cell is one of a plurality of criteria used for determining whether to perform a cell selection or reselection procedure ([0097], [0101], [0104], Dwelling duration refers to the expected time the WTRU determines it would be able to remain connected to and/or send/receive signals to/from a satellite), the plurality of criteria further comprises at least one of: Reference Signal Received Power ([0078], The RSRP and/or RSRP values from the candidate cells), Reference Signal Received Quality ([0078], The RSRP and/or RSRP values from the candidate cells), Signal Interference to Noise Ratio, Signal to Noise Ratio, received Signal Strength Indicator ([0076], The RSSI values from the candidate cells), and pathloss ([0103], Performing reselection based on criteria such as pathloss), and the network node is adapted to compare one or more of the plurality of criteria to one or more threshold and determine whether to perform a cell selection or reselection procedure based on the comparing ([0097], [0101], [0104], The WTRU may select the highest ranked candidate beam for cell selection). 5. Claim(s) 7 and 23 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over ‘566 in view of Hong in view of Hong as applied to claims 1 and 18 above, and further in view of Ye, US 2016/0029276 hereafter Ye. As for claim 7, the combination ‘566, Jung and Hong does not explicitly disclose the information comprises a plurality of values, each of the plurality of values being associated with an expected time for the wireless device to be served in a respective one of a plurality of target cells, and determining whether to perform the cell selection or reselection procedure based at least in part on the information comprises selecting a particular one of the plurality of target cells for the cell selection or reselection procedure that is associated with a longest expected time to be served among the plurality of values. However, Ye discloses the information comprises a plurality of values, each of the plurality of values being associated with an expected time for the wireless device to be served in a respective one of a plurality of target cells (Ye, [0032]-[0036], Each of a plurality of criteria being associated with a timer value for the UE being served by the respective target cells), and determining whether to perform the cell selection or reselection procedure based at least in part on the information comprises selecting a particular one of the plurality of target cells for the cell selection or reselection procedure that is associated with a longest expected time to be served among the plurality of values (Ye, [0032]-[0034], Determining reselection based on selecting a target cell based on the conditions holding true longer than the reselection timer value). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the combination of the teachings of ‘566, Jung and Hong with determining whether to perform the cell selection or reselection procedure based at least in part on the information comprises selecting a particular one of the plurality of target cells for the cell selection or reselection procedure that is associated with a longest expected time to be served among the plurality of values as taught by Ye for improving communication quality (Ye, [0036]). As for claim 23, the combination ‘566, Jung and Hong does not explicitly disclose the information comprises a plurality of values, each of the plurality of values being associated with an expected time for the wireless device to be served in a respective one of a plurality of target cells, and determining whether to perform the cell selection or reselection procedure based at least in part on the information comprises selecting a particular one of the plurality of target cells for the cell selection or reselection procedure that is associated with a longest expected time to be served among the plurality of values. However, Ye discloses the information comprises a plurality of values, each of the plurality of values being associated with an expected time for the wireless device to be served in a respective one of a plurality of target cells (Ye, [0032]-[0036], Each of a plurality of criteria being associated with a timer value for the UE being served by the respective target cells), and determining whether to perform the cell selection or reselection procedure based at least in part on the information comprises selecting a particular one of the plurality of target cells for the cell selection or reselection procedure that is associated with a longest expected time to be served among the plurality of values (Ye, [0032]-[0034], Determining reselection based on selecting a target cell based on the conditions holding true longer than the reselection timer value). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the combination of the teachings of ‘566, Jung and Hong with determining whether to perform the cell selection or reselection procedure based at least in part on the information comprises selecting a particular one of the plurality of target cells for the cell selection or reselection procedure that is associated with a longest expected time to be served among the plurality of values as taught by Ye for improving communication quality (Ye, [0036]). Allowable Subject Matter 6. Claim 3 is 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. Conclusion 7. The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure: US 2021/0266962 discloses [0090] the base station 105-d may configure the minimum dwell time 415, maximum dwell time 420, the maximum COT duration 425, or combinations thereof (e.g., in broadcast signaling, or in dedicated signaling transmitted to one or more receivers). 8. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JENEE HOLLAND whose telephone number is (571)270-7196. The examiner can normally be reached 8:30 AM - 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, IAN MOORE can be reached at (571)272-3085. 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. JENEE HOLLAND Examiner Art Unit 2469 /JENEE HOLLAND/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2469
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Prosecution Timeline

Show 5 earlier events
Oct 02, 2025
Response after Non-Final Action
Oct 23, 2025
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103
Jan 14, 2026
Response Filed
Mar 06, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §103
May 06, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
Jun 03, 2026
Request for Continued Examination
Jun 10, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
Aug 05, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103 (current)

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Patent 12739763
ESTABLISHING A RELAY CONNECTION FOR AN OUT-OF-COVERAGE (OOC) SIDELINK (SL) USER EQUIPMENT (UE)
3y 0m to grant Granted Sep 15, 2026
Patent 12739890
REPETITION DETERMINATION METHOD, REPETITION DETERMINATION APPARATUS, TERMINAL, AND NETWORK SIDE DEVICE
2y 10m to grant Granted Sep 15, 2026
Patent 12706655
Precoding Method and Communication Apparatus
3y 5m to grant Granted Aug 11, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

5-6
Expected OA Rounds
84%
Grant Probability
91%
With Interview (+7.2%)
2y 11m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
High
PTA Risk
Based on 715 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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