Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/177,937

POSITIONING PROCESSES FOR REDUCED CAPABILITY DEVICES

Final Rejection §103
Filed
Mar 03, 2023
Examiner
MANOHARAN, MUTHUSWAMY GANAPATHY
Art Unit
2647
Tech Center
2600 — Communications
Assignee
Qualcomm Incorporated
OA Round
2 (Final)
65%
Grant Probability
Favorable
3-4
OA Rounds
3y 7m
To Grant
82%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 65% — above average
65%
Career Allow Rate
409 granted / 627 resolved
+3.2% vs TC avg
Strong +17% interview lift
Without
With
+16.8%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 7m
Avg Prosecution
47 currently pending
Career history
674
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
2.1%
-37.9% vs TC avg
§103
64.9%
+24.9% vs TC avg
§102
20.2%
-19.8% vs TC avg
§112
6.1%
-33.9% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 627 resolved cases

Office Action

§103
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . 1. (Currently Amended) A method for providing an intermediate feature to a network resource, comprising: obtaining receiving, via at least one transceiver, assistance data including one or more machine learning models for processing a plurality of reference signals; generating the intermediate feature corresponding to at least a subset of the plurality of reference signals based at least in part on the one or more machine learning models; and providing transmitting, via the at least one transceiver, the intermediate feature to the network resource, wherein the intermediate feature comprises at least one eigenvector associated with a channel. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action: A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made. Claim(s) 1-5, 7, 9-21, 23-30 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hasegawa et al. (hereinafter Hasegawa)(US 2024/0295625) in view of Echigo et al. (hereinafter Echigo)(WO 2024/004194). Regarding Claim 1, Hasegawa teaches a method for providing an intermediate feature to a network resource, comprising: receiving, via at least one transceiver assistance data including one or more machine learning models for processing a plurality of reference signals(items 507 and 508 in Fig. 5); generating the intermediate feature corresponding to at least a subset of the plurality of reference signals based at least in part on the one or more machine learning models(item 511, WTRU measurement; P[0232], subsets of TRPs from which RS is transmitted); and transmitting, via the at least one transceiver, the intermediate feature to the network resource(P[0238], training status can be reported by the WTRU). Hasegawa did not teach specifically wherein the intermediate feature comprises at least one eigenvector associated with a channel. However, Echigo teaches in an analogous art wherein the intermediate feature comprises at least one eigenvector associated with a channel.(abstract; terminal applies the input to the AI/ML model relating to CSI ; Fig. 15; UE determines a precoding matrix/eigenvector as an input for the AI/ML mode\l). Therefore, it would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to use the method wherein the intermediate feature comprises at least one eigenvector associated with a channel in order to have improved precision. Regarding claim 2, Hasegawa teaches the method of claim 1 wherein the intermediate feature correspond to one or more radio frequency fingerprint features(P0009], multiple reference signals from TP and measure RSRP). Regarding claim 3, Hasegawa teaches the method of claim 2 wherein the one or more radio frequency fingerprint features include a reference signal received power value, a channel impulse response, a channel frequency response, a multipath profile of a channel, or combinations thereof(P[0011], measure RSRP). Regarding claim 4, Hasegawa teaches the method of claim 1 wherein the one or more machine learning models is a machine learning identification value corresponding to a previously stored machine learning model(P[0290], past IDs algorithm parameters and weights from previous training phases). Regarding claim 5, Hasegawa teaches the method of claim 1 wherein the one or more machine learning models are configured to process one subset of the plurality of reference signals at a time(P[0281], types of RS supported for positioning measurements). Regarding claim 7, Hasegawa teaches the method of claim 1 further comprising providing one or more capabilities messages to the network resource, wherein the assistance data is based at least in part on the one or more capabilities messages(items 505 and 507 in Fig. 5; capability transfer). Regarding claim 9, Hasegawa teaches the method of claim 1 wherein the one or more machine learning models are associated with a bandwidth of at least one of the plurality of reference signals(P[0064], bandwidths supported by all STAs). Regarding claim 10, Hasegawa teaches the method of claim 1 wherein the one or more machine learning models associated with a number of antenna ports on a station that is transmitting at least one of the plurality of reference signals(P[0376], WTRU may receive parameters antenna reference point). Regarding claim 11, Hasegawa teaches a method for determining a location estimate for a mobile device, comprising: providing assistance data to the mobile device(Fig. 5, item 509; Fig. 6, WTRU receive positioning reference signal configuration), the assistance data including one or more machine learning models for processing a plurality of reference signals(P[0231], indication from the network to train the machine learning model; P[0298], WTRU may receive ML/AI configuration); receiving one or more intermediate features corresponding to at least a subset of the plurality of reference signals from the mobile device(P[0232], subsets of TRPs from which RS is transmitted); generating a combined intermediate latent representation based on the one or more intermediate features(P[0308], performance improve progressively; P[0338], fix the parameters for the worst case so that the training can be accelerated/positioning accuracy can be improved; use more signaling and data exchange to improve all the poor performers); and determining the location estimate and confidence value for the mobile device based at least in part on the combined intermediate latent representation(P[0225], WTRU may send the position estimate; report confidence values related to the positioning estimate). Regarding claim 12, Hasegawa teaches the method of claim 11 wherein the one or more intermediate features correspond to one or more radio frequency fingerprint features(P0009], multiple reference signals from TP and measure RSRP). Regarding claim 13, Hasegawa teaches the method of claim 12 wherein the one or more radio frequency fingerprint features include a reference signal received power value, a channel impulse response, a channel frequency response, a multipath profile of a channel, or combinations thereof(P[0011], measure RSRP). Regarding claim 14, Hasegawa teaches the method of claim 11 further comprising receiving one or more capabilities messages from the mobile device, wherein the assistance data is based at least in part on the one or more capabilities messages(Fig. 5, item 505, capability transfer). Regarding claim 15, Hasegawa teaches the method of claim 14 wherein the one or more capabilities messages includes an indication of a number of measurements the mobile device is configured to include in a single report(P[0280], number of positioning methods/configurations that may be supported concurrently; P[0038], multi-mode capabilities cellular, IEEE 802). Regarding claim 16, Hasegawa teaches the method of claim 11 wherein the combined intermediate latent representation is based on at least a first intermediate feature and a second intermediate feature received subsequent to the first intermediate feature(P[0122], weight be associated with the position estimate; position estimate pos1 and positioning estimate pos2). Regarding claim 17, Hasegawa teaches the method of claim 11 further comprising providing a drop measurements message in response to the confidence value meeting a threshold value(P[0122], weight be associated with the position estimate; level of confidence in the accuracy of the measurement or location estimate). Regarding claim 18, Hasegawa teaches the method of claim 17 wherein the drop measurements message is provided via a downlink control information message, a medium access control message, a radio resource control message, or combinations thereof(P[0369], DCI, MAC-CE). Regarding claim 19, Hasegawa teaches the e method of claim 11 wherein the assistance data includes measurement gap configuration information including a short measurement gap repetition period and a long measurement gap repetition period(P[0139], configured to send semi-static reporting based on threshold). Claim 20-21 and 23-24 are rejected for the same reason as set forth in claims 1, 7, 9-10 respectively. Claim 25-30 are rejected for the same reason as set forth in claims 14-17 and 19 respectively. Claim(s) 8 and 22 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hasegawa et al. (hereinafter Hasegawa)(US 2024/0295625) in view of Echigo et al. (hereinafter Echigo)(WO 2024/004194) and Wang et al. (hereinafter Wang)(US 2025/0247189). Regarding claim 8, Hasegawa in view of Echigo teaches all the particulars of the claim except the method of claim 7 wherein the one or more capabilities messages include an indication of a time required to generate the intermediate feature. However, Wang teaches in an analogous art wherein the one or more capabilities messages include an indication of a time required to generate the intermediate feature(P[0049], capability may be used to indicate the time delay of processing AI/ML model). Therefore, it would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to use the method wherein the one or more capabilities messages include an indication of a time required to generate the intermediate feature in order to have improved efficiency. Claim 22 is rejected for the same reason as set forth in claim 8. Claim(s) 6 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hasegawa et al. (hereinafter Hasegawa)(US 2024/0295625) in view of Echigo et al. (hereinafter Echigo)(WO 2024/004194) and Rahman et al. (hereinafter Rahman)(US 2022/026333). Regarding claim 6, Hasegawa in view of Echigo teaches all the particulars of the claim except, wherein the one or more machine learning models are configured to process multiple subsets of the plurality of reference signals at a time. However, Rahman teaches in an analogous art, wherein the one or more machine learning models are configured to process multiple subsets of the plurality of reference signals at a time (P[0277], multiple subsets CSI-RS resource configuration; CSI reporting). Therefore, it would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to use the method wherein the one or more machine learning models are configured to process multiple subsets of the plurality of reference signals at a time in order to have improved efficiency. Response to Arguments Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) 2/4/2026 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. Conclusion 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 MUTHUSWAMY GANAPATHY MANOHARAN whose telephone number is (571)272-5515. The examiner can normally be reached 6:30am-3:00pm. 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, Alison T Slater can be reached at 571-270-0375. 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. /MUTHUSWAMY G MANOHARAN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2647
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Prosecution Timeline

Mar 03, 2023
Application Filed
Oct 31, 2025
Non-Final Rejection — §103
Feb 04, 2026
Response Filed
Mar 09, 2026
Final Rejection — §103 (current)

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

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Prosecution Projections

3-4
Expected OA Rounds
65%
Grant Probability
82%
With Interview (+16.8%)
3y 7m
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
PTA Risk
Based on 627 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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