Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 01, 2026
Application No. 18/064,191

IMPROVED SPECTRUM ANALYZER FOR WI-FI

Final Rejection §103
Filed
Dec 09, 2022
Priority
Jan 19, 2022 — provisional 63/266,938 +1 more
Examiner
LOUIS-FILS, NICOLE M
Art Unit
2641
Tech Center
2600 — Communications
Assignee
MaxLinear Inc.
OA Round
2 (Final)
72%
Grant Probability
Favorable
3-4
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 72% — above average
72%
Career Allowance Rate
192 granted / 265 resolved
+10.5% vs TC avg
Strong +35% interview lift
Without
With
+34.8%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 9m
Avg Prosecution
34 currently pending
Career history
312
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
1.6%
-38.4% vs TC avg
§103
76.4%
+36.4% vs TC avg
§102
9.1%
-30.9% vs TC avg
§112
7.7%
-32.3% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 265 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 Amendment The Amendment filed 01/16/2026 has been entered. Claims 1, 3, 6, 13-26 have been added. Claims 1-26 remain pending in the application. Response to Arguments Applicant’s arguments with respect to claims 1-26 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 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. Claims 1-3, 5, 9-11, 13-15, 7, 22-23 and 25-26 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Qi et al.( US 20210058856 A1) in view of Ergen et al. (US 20220400392 A1). Regarding claim 1, Qi teaches a method for an automated frequency coordination (AFC) (method of Fig. 4, using device of Fig. 1), the method comprising: determining, by one or more processors, an operation mode of a Wi-Fi access point (The first NAN frame may include any attributes/fields as shown in Tables 1-3, such as a first indication of the first NAN device's operation capability in a 6 GHz frequency band, [0069]); in response to a determination that the operation mode is associated with 6 GHz transmissions, determining, by the one or more processors, a power mode of the Wi-Fi access point (The first NAN frame also may include a second indication of a transmit power operating mode of the first NAN device in the 6 GHz frequency band, [0069]). However, Qi does not clearly teach in response to a determination that the Wi-Fi access point is in a standard power mode under AFC control, scanning one or more 6 GHz bands to collect 6 GHz frequency spectrum data for use by an AFC server; and transmitting the collected 6 GHz frequency spectrum data to the AFC server. In an analogous art, Ergen teaches in response to a determination that the Wi-Fi access point is in a standard power mode under AFC control (Since incumbent services in U-NII-5 and U-NII-7 bands are fixed, FCC plans to let unlicensed use at standard power outdoors and indoors subject to an AFC framework, [0047]), scanning one or more 6 GHz bands to collect 6 GHz frequency spectrum data for use by an AFC server (The scan procedure covers the whole unlicensed spectrum which is divided into several channels based on country regulations, [0034]; collect, by one or more processors, RF measurements from a plurality of nearby PoAs, [0118]; all the information collected in the cloud platform 108 is tested over different channels and network topologies utilizing different algorithms (DFS for 2.4 and 5 GHz bands, AFC for 6 GHz, [0044]); and transmitting the collected 6 GHz frequency spectrum data to the AFC server (transmit by one or more processors, the RF measurements collected from the plurality of client devices and the plurality of nearby PoAs to a cloud platform, [0119]; calculate, by a cloud processor at the cloud platform, an optimal transmission channel/network in the one or more unlicensed bands for one or more nearby PoAs of the plurality of nearby PoAs using an AI module based on the RF measurements, wherein the AI module utilizes at least one of a DFS, an AFC module, [0120]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to have modified the access point method of Qi with the RF data collection of Ergen to provide a methods and a system for optimizing utilization and performance of one or more unlicensed bands in a network (Wi-Fi and Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS)) through a client device application that communicates with a central node deployed on a cloud platform as suggested, Ergen Abstract. Regarding claim 2, Qi as modified by Ergen teaches the method of claim 1, the method further comprising: in response to a determination that the operation mode is unassociated with the 6 GHz transmissions, determining, by the one or more processors, that the Wi-Fi access point operates in one or more non-6 GHz bands (the first NAN device and the second NAN device may be operating in a 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz frequency band, Qi [0070]). Regarding claim 3, Qi as modified by Ergen teaches the method of claim 1, the method further comprising: in response to a determination that the Wi-Fi access point is in a non-standard power mode, determining, by the one or more processors, that the Wi-Fi access point is in a low power mode or a very low power mode (two NAN devices operating in LPI (low power indoor) modes may establish NAN operations when they are in the presence of an LPI AP's enabling signal and remain within the service area of the LPI AP, Qi [0033]). Regarding claim 5, Qi as modified by Ergen teaches the method of claim 1, wherein the one or more 6 GHz bands include one or more bands from unlicensed national information infrastructure (U-NII) bands (FIG. 2, there are shown three operating modes in 6 GHz. The operating modes shown are: SP, LPI, and VLP. SP devices are allowed in 850 MHz of spectrum (UNII-5 and UNII-7), Qi [0063]). Regarding claim 9, Qi as modified by Ergen teaches the method of claim 1, the method further comprising: determining an interference caused by the access point on a 6 GHz communication channel, the determined interference to be used by the AFC server for interference reduction for future communications in the 6 GHz communication channel (AFC mechanism is being used in the 6 GHz band to protect incumbent devices against interference. In AFC systems, allowable frequencies and allowable maximum transmit power of secondary users are determined based on an agreed Interference Protection Criteria (e.g., I/N Interference over Noise ratio). Locations of secondary user devices are used to determine allowable frequencies and allowable maximum transmit power of secondary users (e.g., Wi-Fi devices) in proximity of the incumbent receivers (e.g., non-Wi-Fi devices). AFC may be required for standard power Wi-Fi certified devices in the 6 GHz band, Qi [0020]). Regarding claim 10, Qi as modified by Engen teaches the method of claim 1. Ergen further teaches in response to a determination that the Wi-Fi access point is in the standard power mode (FCC plans to let unlicensed use at standard power outdoors and indoors subject to an AFC framework, Ergen [0047]) scanning 6 GHz Wi-Fi channels to begin collecting 6 GHz Wi-Fi frequency spectrum data (The scan procedure covers the whole unlicensed spectrum which is divided into several channels based on country regulations, [0034]; This metric represents the numbers of neighboring Service Set identifiers (SSIDs) that spectrum orchestration application 102 detects through the scanning of neighboring APs via RF measurement module, Ergen [0061]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to have modified the access point method of Qi with the RF data collection of Ergen to provide a methods and a system for optimizing utilization and performance of one or more unlicensed bands in a network (Wi-Fi and Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS)) through a client device application that communicates with a central node deployed on a cloud platform as suggested, Ergen Abstract. Regarding claim 11, Qi as modified by Ergen teaches the method of claim 10, the method further comprising: decoding, by the one or more processors, one or more Wi-Fi packets that are associated with the collected 6 GHz Wi-Fi frequency spectrum data (For example, adding a bit to a defined frame may render the defined frame a different type of frame, as the device that receives the frame may decode the frame and determine its contents based on the frame type, Qi [0040] and in particular, bits 13 and 14 may be use to indicate whether an availability entry (e.g., a frequency band and time) of a device is compliant with 6 GHz VLP use, Qi [0039]). Regarding claim 13, Qi teaches a system (e.g. AP 102 of Fig. 1A and/or 500 of Fig. 5) for collecting frequency spectrum data for automated frequency coordination (AFC), the Wi-Fi access point comprising: data processing hardware (processing circuitry 506); and memory hardware (memory 508)in communication with the data processing hardware, the memory hardware storing instructions that when executed on the data processing hardware cause the data processing hardware to perform operations comprising: determine an operation mode of a Wi-Fi access point (The first NAN frame may include any attributes/fields as shown in Tables 1-3, such as a first indication of the first NAN device's operation capability in a 6 GHz frequency band, [0069]); in response to a determination that the operation mode is associated with 6 GHz transmissions point (The first NAN frame may include any attributes/fields as shown in Tables 1-3, such as a first indication of the first NAN device's operation capability in a 6 GHz frequency band, [0069]), determine a power mode of the Wi-Fi access point (The first NAN frame also may include a second indication of a transmit power operating mode of the first NAN device in the 6 GHz frequency band, [0069]). However, Qi does not clearly teach in response to a determination that the Wi-Fi access point is in a standard power mode under AFC control, scan one or more 6 GHz bands to collect 6 GHz frequency spectrum data for use by an AFC server; and transmitting the collected 6 GHz frequency spectrum data to the AFC server. In an analogous art, Ergen teaches in response to a determination that the Wi-Fi access point is in a standard power mode under AFC control (Since incumbent services in U-NII-5 and U-NII-7 bands are fixed, FCC plans to let unlicensed use at standard power outdoors and indoors subject to an AFC framework, [0047]), scan one or more 6 GHz bands to collect 6 GHz frequency spectrum data for use by an AFC server (collect, by one or more processors, RF measurements from a plurality of nearby PoAs. The RF measurement module 208 collects RF measurements from the plurality of nearby PoAs 112A-112N. A PoA may include, but is not limited to, a Wi-Fi AP and a 5G/LTE BS. The RF measurements may include, but are not limited to, RSSI measurements/values, capabilities and channels, [0118]); and transmitting the collected 6 GHz frequency spectrum data to the AFC server (transmit by one or more processors, the RF measurements collected from the plurality of client devices and the plurality of nearby PoAs to a cloud platform, [0119]; calculate, by a cloud processor at the cloud platform, an optimal transmission channel/network in the one or more unlicensed bands for one or more nearby PoAs of the plurality of nearby PoAs using an AI module based on the RF measurements, wherein the AI module utilizes at least one of a DFS, an AFC module, [0120]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to have modified the access point method of Qi with the RF data collection of Ergen to provide a methods and a system for optimizing utilization and performance of one or more unlicensed bands in a network (Wi-Fi and Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS)) through a client device application that communicates with a central node deployed on a cloud platform as suggested, Ergen Abstract. Regarding claim 14, Qi as modified by Ergen teaches the system of claim 13, the operations further comprising: in response to a determination that the operation mode is unassociated with the 6 GHz transmissions, determine that the Wi-Fi access point operates in one or more non-6 GHz bands (the first NAN device and the second NAN device may be operating in a 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz frequency band, Qi [0070]). Regarding claim 15, Qi as modified by Ergen teaches the system of claim 13, the operations further comprising: in response to a determination that the Wi-Fi access point is in a non-standard power mode, determine that the Wi-Fi access point is a low power mode or a very low power mode (low power indoor) modes may establish NAN operations when they are in the presence of an LPI AP's enabling signal and remain within the service area of the LPI AP, Qi [0033]). Regarding claim 17, Qi as modified by Ergen teaches the system of claim 13, wherein the one or more 6 GHz bands include one or more bands from unlicensed national information infrastructure (U-NII) bands (FIG. 2, there are shown three operating modes in 6 GHz. The operating modes shown are: SP, LPI, and VLP. SP devices are allowed in 850 MHz of spectrum (UNII-5 and UNII-7), Qi [0063]). Regarding claim 22, Qi as modified by Ergen teaches the system of claim 13. Ergen further teaches the operations further comprising: in response to a determination that the Wi-Fi access point is in the standard power mode, scan 6 GHz Wi-Fi channels to begin collecting 6 GHz Wi-Fi frequency spectrum data (Since incumbent services in U-NII-5 and U-NII-7 bands are fixed, FCC plans to let unlicensed use at standard power outdoors and indoors subject to an AFC framework, [0047]; The scan procedure covers the whole unlicensed spectrum which is divided into several channels based on country regulations, Ergen [0034]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to have modified the access point method of Qi with the RF data collection of Ergen to provide a methods and a system for optimizing utilization and performance of one or more unlicensed bands in a network (Wi-Fi and Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS)) through a client device application that communicates with a central node deployed on a cloud platform as suggested, Ergen Abstract. Regarding claim 23, Qi as modified by Ergen teaches the system of claim 22, the operations further comprising: decoding one or more Wi-Fi packets that are associated with the collected 6 GHz Wi-Fi frequency spectrum data (For example, adding a bit to a defined frame may render the defined frame a different type of frame, as the device that receives the frame may decode the frame and determine its contents based on the frame type, Qi [0040] and in particular, bits 13 and 14 may be use to indicate whether an availability entry (e.g., a frequency band and time) of a device is compliant with 6 GHz VLP use, Qi [0039]). Regarding claim 25, Qi as modified by Ergen teaches system of claim 13, the operations further comprising: determining an interference based on using a noise measurement on one or more pilot symbols (As an example, AFC mechanism is being used in the 6 GHz band to protect incumbent devices against interference. In AFC systems, allowable frequencies and allowable maximum transmit power of secondary users are determined based on an agreed Interference Protection Criteria (e.g., I/N Interference over Noise ratio), Qi [0020]). Regarding claim 26, Qi as modified by Ergen teaches the system of claim 25, wherein determining the interference based on using the noise measurement on the one or more pilot symbols includes performing a time analysis on one or more interferences locations (A NAN device that supports 6 GHz bands may indicate an ability to access 6 GHz bands, and at which times, in a Device Capability Attribute, Qi [0023]). 6. Claims 4 and 16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Qi et al.( US 20210058856 A1) in view of Ergen and further in view of Kim et al.(US 20230147636 A1). Regarding claim 4, Qi as modified by Ergen teaches the method of claim 3. However, Qi and Ergen do not teach in response to a determination that the Wi-Fi access point is in the low power mode or the very low power mode, determining, by the one or more processors, not to start scanning the one or more 6 GHz bands. In an analogous art, Kim teaches in response to a determination that the Wi-Fi access point is in the low power mode or the very low power mode, determining, by the one or more processors, not to start scanning the one or more 6 GHz bands (On the other hand, in the sleep mode, since power consumption is decreased extremely, frame transmission/reception is impossible, and channel scanning is also impossible. A basic operation of power saving is in principle that the WLAN station is usually in a sleep mode and transitions to an active mode only, when necessary, Kim [0272]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to have modified the access point method of Qi and Ergen with the scanning feature of Kim to provide a methods and a system wherein the extreme high throughput standard may use an increased bandwidth, an enhanced PHY layer protocol data unit (PPDU) structure, an enhanced sequence, a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) scheme, or the like, which is newly proposed. The EHT standard may be called the IEEE 802.11be standard as suggested, Kim [0003]. Regarding claim 16, Qi as modified by Ergen teaches the system of claim 15. However, Qi and Ergen do not teach the operations further comprising: in response to a determination that the Wi-Fi access point is in the low power mode or the very low power mode, determine not to start scanning the one or more 6 GHz bands. In an analogous art, Kim teaches the operations further comprising: in response to a determination that the Wi-Fi access point is in the low power mode or the very low power mode, determine not to start scanning the one or more 6 GHz bands (On the other hand, in the sleep mode, since power consumption is decreased extremely, frame transmission/reception is impossible, and channel scanning is also impossible. A basic operation of power saving is in principle that the WLAN station is usually in a sleep mode and transitions to an active mode only, when necessary, Kim [0272]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to have modified the access point method of Qi with the scanning feature of Kim to provide a methods and a system wherein the extreme high throughput standard may use an increased bandwidth, an enhanced PHY layer protocol data unit (PPDU) structure, an enhanced sequence, a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) scheme, or the like, which is newly proposed. The EHT standard may be called the IEEE 802.11be standard as suggested, Kim [0003]. Claims 6-8, 12, 18-21 and 24 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Qi et al.( US 20210058856 A1) in view of Ergen and further in view of Ansley et al. (US 20200367020 A1). Regarding claim 6, Qi as modified by Ergen teaches the method of claim 1. However, Qi and Ergen do not teach the method further comprising: in response to a determination that the Wi-Fi access point is in a non-standard power mode, the AP is moved to another frequency that is not being used. In an analogous art, Ansley teaches the method further comprising: in response to a determination that the Wi-Fi access point is in a non-standard power mode, the AP is moved to another frequency that is not being used (the controller may consider the STA's current RSSI as well as RSSI history, as well as the channel assignments and power level limits of the APs it controls. At 805, the controller may determine a 5 GHz RSSI of a STA. At 810, the controller may determine a breadth and level of interference of a 6 GHz channel. At 815, the controller may determine whether the 6 GHz channel may offer better performance for the STA than the currently used 5 GHz channel. If the determination is made that the 6 GHz channel does not offer better performance for the STA, the controller may direct the STA to the 5 GHz channel, [0087]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to have modified the access point method of Qi and Ergen with the channel selection of Ansley to provide a methods and a system wherein combination of lower power and indoor operations may protect other registered services already operating on these frequencies from harmful interference as suggested, Ansley [0010]. Regarding claim 7, Qi as modified by Ergen teaches the method of claim 1. However, Qi and Ergen do not teach the method further comprising: stitching, by the one or more processors, the collected 6 GHz frequency spectrum data together. In an analogous art, Ansley teaches the method further comprising: stitching, by the one or more processors, the collected 6 GHz frequency spectrum data together (The relative signal strengths and directions may be combined with the location estimation to determine if the information provided is credible, Ansley [0061]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to have modified the access point method of Qi and Ergen with the channel selection of Ansley to provide a methods and a system wherein combination of lower power and indoor operations may protect other registered services already operating on these frequencies from harmful interference as suggested, Ansley [0010]. Regarding claim 8, Qi as modified by Ergen in view of Ansley teaches the method of claim 7. Ansley further teaches the method further comprising: transmitting, by the one or more processors, a report based on the stitched 6 GHz frequency spectrum data to an AFC server (The baseline location may be output to a database (e.g., database of an AFC system 115 of FIG. 1) at 410, Ansley [0065]). Regarding claim 12, Qi as modified by Ergen teaches the method of claim 11. However, Qi and Ergen do not clearly teach further comprising: when the one or more Wi-Fi packets are decodable, generating a report of the 6 GHz Wi-Fi channels and transmitting the report to an AFC server; and when the one or more Wi-Fi packets are un-decodable, transmitting the collected 6 GHz Wi-Fi frequency spectrum data to the AFC server. In an analogous art, Ansley teaches further comprising: when the one or more Wi-Fi packets are decodable, generating a report of the 6 GHz Wi-Fi channels and transmitting the report to an AFC server (If the AP 105 is processing the spectrum locally, it may detect a certain combination of fixed microwave signals. With that information, the AP can consult a database containing 6 GHz registered signal sites. Fixed wireless assigned frequencies may be recorded in a database that also includes location information. When combined with the Wi-Fi signal information, the location of the AP may be ascertained with greater certainty or less uncertainty, [0048]); and when the one or more Wi-Fi packets are un-decodable, transmitting the collected 6 GHz Wi-Fi frequency spectrum data to the AFC server (If the AP sends a collected signal spectrum to a controller 130 or cloud server, those entities similarly may consult databases of known 6 GHz entities to develop a location estimate. Those entities may also consult databases of known 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz signal sources. That estimate may be returned to the AP for it to use in communication with an AFC system. Alternatively, the controller 130 or cloud server may forward the location estimate with information identifying the AP to an AFC. If the AP recognizes Wi-Fi signals within the 6 GHz scan, that information may also be used to aid with location determination, [0048] and Utilizing energy detection, an AP need not be able to demodulate or decode a fixed wireless or other non-Wi-Fi communications signal to detect its presence, [0047]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to have modified the access point method of Qi and Ergen with the channel selection of Ansley to provide a methods and a system wherein combination of lower power and indoor operations may protect other registered services already operating on these frequencies from harmful interference as suggested, Ansley [0010]. Regarding claim 18, Qi as modified by Ergen teaches the Wi-Fi access point of claim 17. However, Qi and Ergen do not teach wherein the U-NII bands include U-NII-5 band, U-NII-6 band, U-NII-7 band, and U-NII-8 band. In an analogous art, Ansley teaches wherein the U-NII bands include U-NII-5 band, U-NII-6 band, U-NII-7 band, and U-NII-8 band (he FCC has considered varying treatment for four sub-bands of the 6 GHz band, wherein the sub-bands include: [0006] U-NII 5: 5925-6425 MHz [0007] U-NII 6: 6425-6525 MHz [0008] U-NII 7: 6525-6825 MHz [0009] U-NII 8: 6875-7125 MHz, [0005]-[0009]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to have modified the access point method of Qi and Ergen with the channel selection of Ansley to provide a methods and a system wherein combination of lower power and indoor operations may protect other registered services already operating on these frequencies from harmful interference as suggested, Ansley [0010]. Regarding claim 19, Qi as modified by Ergen teaches the Wi-Fi access point of claim 13. However, Qi and Ergen do not teach the operations further comprising: stitching the collected 6 GHz frequency spectrum data together. In an analogous art, Ansley teaches stitching, by the one or more processors, the collected 6 GHz frequency spectrum data together (The relative signal strengths and directions may be combined with the location estimation to determine if the information provided is credible, Ansley [0061]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to have modified the access point method of Qi and Ergen with the channel selection of Ansley to provide a methods and a system wherein combination of lower power and indoor operations may protect other registered services already operating on these frequencies from harmful interference as suggested, Ansley [0010]. Regarding claim 20, Qi as modified by Ergen and Ansley teaches the Wi-Fi access point of claim 19. Ansley further teaches wherein stitching the collected 6 GHz frequency spectrum data together includes: combining the collected 6 GHz frequency spectrum data associated with a same band (The baseline location may be output to a database (e.g., database of an AFC system 115 of FIG. 1) at 410, Ansley [0065]). Regarding claim 21, Qi as modified by Ergen and Ansley teaches the Wi-Fi access point of claim 19. Ansley further teaches the operations further comprising: transmitting a report based on the stitched 6 GHz frequency spectrum data to an AFC server (The baseline location may be output to a database (e.g., database of an AFC system 115 of FIG. 1) at 410, Ansley [0065]). Regarding claim 24, Qi as modified by Ergen teaches the Wi-Fi access point of claim 23. However, Qi and Ergen do not teach the operations further comprising: when the one or more Wi-Fi packets are decodable, generate a report of the 6 GHz Wi-Fi channels and transmit the report to an AFC server; and when the one or more Wi-Fi packets are un-decodable, transmit the collected 6 GHz Wi-Fi frequency spectrum data to the AFC server. In an analogous art, Ansley teaches when the one or more Wi-Fi packets are decodable, generating a report of the 6 GHz Wi-Fi channels and transmitting the report to an AFC server (If the AP 105 is processing the spectrum locally, it may detect a certain combination of fixed microwave signals. With that information, the AP can consult a database containing 6 GHz registered signal sites. Fixed wireless assigned frequencies may be recorded in a database that also includes location information. When combined with the Wi-Fi signal information, the location of the AP may be ascertained with greater certainty or less uncertainty, [0048]); and when the one or more Wi-Fi packets are un-decodable, transmitting the collected 6 GHz Wi-Fi frequency spectrum data to the AFC server (If the AP sends a collected signal spectrum to a controller 130 or cloud server, those entities similarly may consult databases of known 6 GHz entities to develop a location estimate. Those entities may also consult databases of known 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz signal sources. That estimate may be returned to the AP for it to use in communication with an AFC system. Alternatively, the controller 130 or cloud server may forward the location estimate with information identifying the AP to an AFC. If the AP recognizes Wi-Fi signals within the 6 GHz scan, that information may also be used to aid with location determination, [0048] and Utilizing energy detection, an AP need not be able to demodulate or decode a fixed wireless or other non-Wi-Fi communications signal to detect its presence, [0047]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to have modified the access point method of Qi and Ergen with the channel selection of Ansley to provide a methods and a system wherein combination of lower power and indoor operations may protect other registered services already operating on these frequencies from harmful interference as suggested, Ansley [0010]. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Damnjanovic et al. (US 20220216962 A1): Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. An access point (AP) may configure power parameters for sidelink communications between user equipments (UEs). The power parameters may be configured based on the UEs operating within an AP service area. In some examples, an AP may transmit one or more signals to the first UE, and the first UE may determine the power parameters based on receiving the signals. Additionally or alternatively, the first UE may be configured to transmit one or more reference signals to the AP, and the AP may configure the power parameters based on receiving the reference signals. The first AP may indicate the power parameters in a sidelink configuration transmitted to the first UE. The first UE may communicate with the second UE on a sidelink channel in accordance with the sidelink configuration, which may improve efficiency and reliability of the sidelink communications. Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a). A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to NICOLE M LOUIS-FILS whose telephone number is (571)270-0671. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday. 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, Charles Appiah can be reached at 571-272-7904. 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. /NICOLE M LOUIS-FILS/ Examiner, Art Unit 2641 /CHARLES N APPIAH/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2641
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Prosecution Timeline

Dec 09, 2022
Application Filed
Jul 16, 2025
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103
Jan 16, 2026
Response Filed
Apr 28, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §103 (current)

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2y 5m to grant Granted Jun 02, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

Strategy Recommendation AI-generated — please review before filing

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Prosecution Projections

3-4
Expected OA Rounds
72%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+34.8%)
2y 9m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
PTA Risk
Based on 265 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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