Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/249,534

SIDELINK RESOURCE SELECTION IN UNLICENSED SPECTRUM

Non-Final OA §103
Filed
Apr 18, 2023
Examiner
PASIA, REDENTOR M
Art Unit
2413
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
Qualcomm Incorporated
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
79%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
3y 3m
To Grant
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 79% — above average
79%
Career Allow Rate
530 granted / 668 resolved
+21.3% vs TC avg
Strong +24% interview lift
Without
With
+23.7%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 3m
Avg Prosecution
43 currently pending
Career history
711
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
5.5%
-34.5% vs TC avg
§103
53.9%
+13.9% vs TC avg
§102
20.1%
-19.9% vs TC avg
§112
11.8%
-28.2% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 668 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 . Election/Restrictions Applicant's election with traverse of Specie I of claims 3-4 and 18-19 in the reply filed on 10/24/2025 is acknowledged. The traversal is on the ground(s) that: “the Office Action has not set forth which features are considered to be mutually exclusive between each of Species I through IV. Nor has the Office Action established reasons for why the examination of all of the asserted Species I through IV would impose a serious burden.” (Applicant’s Remarks, pages 11-12). This is not found persuasive because mutually exclusive properties of each species presented will require at least a different field of search specifically directed to the respective mutually exclusive properties of each species, different/separate status in view of each species’ CPC classification (See Restriction requirement, 08/27/2025, page 2) based on the respective mutually exclusive properties of each species and/or a prior art reference will not likely be applicable another specie. Therefore, there is a serious search and examination burden if the claims are not restricted. The requirement is still deemed proper and is therefore made FINAL. Priority Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55. Information Disclosure Statement The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 04/08/2023, 01/04/2024, 08/25/2025 and 12/19/2025 are considered. The submission is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Claim Interpretation The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(f): (f) Element in Claim for a Combination. – An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof. The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph: An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof. The claims in this application are given their broadest reasonable interpretation using the plain meaning of the claim language in light of the specification as it would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The broadest reasonable interpretation of a claim element (also commonly referred to as a claim limitation) is limited by the description in the specification when 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is invoked. As explained in MPEP § 2181, subsection I, claim limitations that meet the following three-prong test will be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph: (A) the claim limitation uses the term “means” or “step” or a term used as a substitute for “means” that is a generic placeholder (also called a nonce term or a non-structural term having no specific structural meaning) for performing the claimed function; (B) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is modified by functional language, typically, but not always linked by the transition word “for” (e.g., “means for”) or another linking word or phrase, such as “configured to” or “so that”; and (C) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is not modified by sufficient structure, material, or acts for performing the claimed function. Use of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim with functional language creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites sufficient structure, material, or acts to entirely perform the recited function. Absence of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is not to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is not interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites function without reciting sufficient structure, material or acts to entirely perform the recited function. Claim limitations in this application that use the word “means” (or “step”) are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action. Conversely, claim limitations in this application that do not use the word “means” (or “step”) are not being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action. 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. This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention. Claim(s) 1-2, 8-9, 12-13, 16-17, 23-24, 27-30 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kwon (US 2024/0179501; hereinafter Kwon) in view of Zhao et al. (US 2022/0039118; hereinafter Zhao). Regarding claim 1, Kwon shows an apparatus for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE) (Figure 16 shows a UE performing in part the method of Figures 13-14.), comprising: one or more memories (Figure 16 shows the UE including memory.); and one or more processors coupled with the one or more memories (Figure 16 shows the memory coupled to the processor for performing the disclosed method.) and configured to cause the UE to: determine a resource selection configuration that indicates a plurality of component carriers for sidelink communications (Figures 13-14; Par. 0176-0178, 0189; when UE 1 determines activation of duplicated packet transmission on the sidelink, UE 1 may select at least two carriers operable in mode 4.); select a transmission time occasion that has a frequency resource available on multiple component carriers of the plurality of component carriers based at least in part on the resource selection configuration (Table 3; Par. 0190-0191; UE 1 selects a radio resource for duplicated packet transmission based on transmission resource pool information of each serving cell or carrier obtained from the V2X service-related system information. The radio resource which is selectable for duplicated packet transmission may be configured as a subframe, a Transmission Time interval (TTI), or a PSSCH transmission interval existing at the same point in time, among serving cells or carriers.); and transmit, during the transmission time occasion, a first sidelink message within a corresponding frequency resource of at least one of the multiple component carriers (Figures 13-14; Par. 0195, 0201; UE performs the sidelink duplicated packet transmission on the two selected carriers based on the configuration and resources determined and selected in the prior steps.). Kwon shows all of the elements including the plurality of component carriers, as discussed above. Kwon does not specifically show the plurality of component carriers are within a shared radio frequency band, performing, prior to the transmission time occasion, a channel access procedure on each of the multiple component carriers to determine whether a respective frequency resource of each of the multiple component carriers is available; and transmitting, during the transmission time occasion, a first sidelink message based at least in part on the channel access procedure. However, the above-mentioned claim limitations are well-established in the art as evidenced by Zhao. Specifically, Zhao shows the plurality of component carriers are within a shared radio frequency band (Par. 0074, 0077; the first carrier and the second carrier can be different carriers in the same frequency band.), performing, prior to the transmission time occasion, a channel access procedure on each of the multiple component carriers to determine whether a respective frequency resource of each of the multiple component carriers is available (Par. 0082; in the mode 4, the in-vehicle terminal transmits sidelink data by means of sensing and reserving a transmission resource. Specifically, an in-vehicle terminal acquires an available transmission resource set from a resource pool by means of sensing, and randomly selects a transmission resource from the available transmission resource set to transmit the sidelink data.); and transmitting, during the transmission time occasion, a first sidelink message based at least in part on the channel access procedure (Par. 0082; in the mode 4, the in-vehicle terminal transmits sidelink data by means of sensing and reserving a transmission resource. Specifically, an in-vehicle terminal acquires an available transmission resource set from a resource pool by means of sensing, and randomly selects a transmission resource from the available transmission resource set to transmit the sidelink data.). In view of the above, having the system of Kwon, then given the well-established teaching of Zhao, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Kwon as taught by Zhao, in order to provide motivation for a dynamic change of transmission power on the two different sidelinks to be reduced or avoided (Par. 0006 of Zhao). Regarding claim 2, modified Kwon shows an antenna (Kwon: Figures 1-2 shows the UE includes an antenna.), wherein the one or more processors are configured to cause the UE to: transmit a resource reservation message that indicates a resource allocation for two or more component carriers of the multiple component carriers (Zhao: Par. 0082; While transmitting sidelink data to a receiving terminal, the in-vehicle terminal, as a transmitting terminal, can further transmit sidelink control information which can carry information for reserving the resource for the next transmission, so that other in-vehicle terminals can determine whether the transmission resource is reserved and used by the in-vehicle terminal through the sidelink control information, so as to achieve a purpose of reducing transmission resource conflicts.). Regarding claim 8, modified Kwon shows wherein, to transmit the first sidelink message, the one or more processors are configured to cause the UE to: transmit, during the transmission time occasion, the first sidelink message on two or more component carriers of the multiple component carriers (Kwon: Figures 13-14; Par. 0195, 0201; UE performs the sidelink duplicated packet transmission on the two selected carriers based on the configuration and resources determined and selected in the prior steps.) within the shared radio frequency spectrum band (Zhao: Par. 0074, 0077; the first carrier and the second carrier can be different carriers in the same frequency band.). Regarding claim 9, modifid Kwon shows wherein, to select the transmission time occasion, the one or more processors are configured to cause the UE to: select the transmission time occasion that has a frequency resource available on each component carrier of the plurality of component carriers based at least in part on the resource selection configuration (Kwon: Table 3; Par. 0190-0191; UE 1 selects a radio resource for duplicated packet transmission based on transmission resource pool information of each serving cell or carrier obtained from the V2X service-related system information. The radio resource which is selectable for duplicated packet transmission may be configured as a subframe, a Transmission Time interval (TTI), or a PSSCH transmission interval existing at the same point in time, among serving cells or carriers.). Regarding claim 12, modified Kwon shows wherein, to perform the channel access procedure, the one or more processors are configured to cause the UE to: perform the channel access procedure that indicates the respective frequency resource of two or more component carriers of the multiple component carriers is available (Zhao: Par. 0082; in the mode 4, the in-vehicle terminal transmits sidelink data by means of sensing and reserving a transmission resource. Specifically, an in-vehicle terminal acquires an available transmission resource set from a resource pool by means of sensing, and randomly selects a transmission resource from the available transmission resource set to transmit the sidelink data.). Regarding claim 13, modified Kwon shows claim 12, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: select a first component carrier of the two or more component carriers for transmitting the first sidelink message (Kwon: Figures 13-14; Par. 0195, 0201; UE performs the sidelink duplicated packet transmission on the two selected carriers based on the configuration and resources determined and selected in the prior steps.)based at least in part on the channel access procedure (Zhao: Par. 0082; in the mode 4, the in-vehicle terminal transmits sidelink data by means of sensing and reserving a transmission resource. Specifically, an in-vehicle terminal acquires an available transmission resource set from a resource pool by means of sensing, and randomly selects a transmission resource from the available transmission resource set to transmit the sidelink data.). Regarding claim 16, Kwon shows a method for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), comprising: determining a resource selection configuration that indicates a plurality of component carriers for sidelink communications (Figures 13-14; Par. 0176-0178, 0189; when UE 1 determines activation of duplicated packet transmission on the sidelink, UE 1 may select at least two carriers operable in mode 4.); selecting a transmission time occasion that has a frequency resource available on multiple component carriers of the plurality of component carriers based at least in part on the resource selection configuration (Table 3; Par. 0190-0191; UE 1 selects a radio resource for duplicated packet transmission based on transmission resource pool information of each serving cell or carrier obtained from the V2X service-related system information. The radio resource which is selectable for duplicated packet transmission may be configured as a subframe, a Transmission Time interval (TTI), or a PSSCH transmission interval existing at the same point in time, among serving cells or carriers.); performing, prior to the transmission time occasion, a channel access procedure on each of the multiple component carriers to determine whether a respective frequency resource of each of the multiple component carriers is available; and transmitting, during the transmission time occasion, a first sidelink message within a corresponding frequency resource of at least one of the multiple component carriers (Figures 13-14; Par. 0195, 0201; UE performs the sidelink duplicated packet transmission on the two selected carriers based on the configuration and resources determined and selected in the prior steps.). Kwon shows all of the elements including the plurality of component carriers, as discussed above. Kwon does not specifically show the plurality of component carriers are within a shared radio frequency band, performing, prior to the transmission time occasion, a channel access procedure on each of the multiple component carriers to determine whether a respective frequency resource of each of the multiple component carriers is available; and transmitting, during the transmission time occasion, a first sidelink message based at least in part on the channel access procedure. However, the above-mentioned claim limitations are well-established in the art as evidenced by Zhao. Specifically, Zhao shows the plurality of component carriers are within a shared radio frequency band (Par. 0074, 0077; the first carrier and the second carrier can be different carriers in the same frequency band.), performing, prior to the transmission time occasion, a channel access procedure on each of the multiple component carriers to determine whether a respective frequency resource of each of the multiple component carriers is available (Par. 0082; in the mode 4, the in-vehicle terminal transmits sidelink data by means of sensing and reserving a transmission resource. Specifically, an in-vehicle terminal acquires an available transmission resource set from a resource pool by means of sensing, and randomly selects a transmission resource from the available transmission resource set to transmit the sidelink data.); and transmitting, during the transmission time occasion, a first sidelink message based at least in part on the channel access procedure (Par. 0082; in the mode 4, the in-vehicle terminal transmits sidelink data by means of sensing and reserving a transmission resource. Specifically, an in-vehicle terminal acquires an available transmission resource set from a resource pool by means of sensing, and randomly selects a transmission resource from the available transmission resource set to transmit the sidelink data.). In view of the above, having the system of Kwon, then given the well-established teaching of Zhao, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Kwon as taught by Zhao, in order to provide motivation for a dynamic change of transmission power on the two different sidelinks to be reduced or avoided (Par. 0006 of Zhao). Regarding claims 17, 23, 24, 27 and 28, these claims are rejected based on the same reasoning as presented in the rejection of claims 2, 8, 9, 12 and 13, respectively. Regarding claim 29, Kwon shows an apparatus (Figure 16 shows a UE performing in part the method of Figures 13-14.) for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), comprising: means for determining a resource selection configuration that indicates a plurality of component carriers for sidelink communications (Figures 13-14; Par. 0176-0178, 0189; when UE 1 determines activation of duplicated packet transmission on the sidelink, UE 1 may select at least two carriers operable in mode 4.); means for selecting a transmission time occasion that has a frequency resource available on multiple component carriers of the plurality of component carriers based at least in part on the resource selection configuration (Table 3; Par. 0190-0191; UE 1 selects a radio resource for duplicated packet transmission based on transmission resource pool information of each serving cell or carrier obtained from the V2X service-related system information. The radio resource which is selectable for duplicated packet transmission may be configured as a subframe, a Transmission Time interval (TTI), or a PSSCH transmission interval existing at the same point in time, among serving cells or carriers.); and means for transmitting, during the transmission time occasion, a first sidelink message within a corresponding frequency resource of at least one of the multiple component carriers (Figures 13-14; Par. 0195, 0201; UE performs the sidelink duplicated packet transmission on the two selected carriers based on the configuration and resources determined and selected in the prior steps.). Kwon shows all of the elements including the plurality of component carriers, as discussed above. Kwon does not specifically show the plurality of component carriers are within a shared radio frequency band, means for performing, prior to the transmission time occasion, a channel access procedure on each of the multiple component carriers to determine whether a respective frequency resource of each of the multiple component carriers is available; and means for transmitting, during the transmission time occasion, a first sidelink message based at least in part on the channel access procedure. However, the above-mentioned claim limitations are well-established in the art as evidenced by Zhao. Specifically, Zhao shows the plurality of component carriers are within a shared radio frequency band (Par. 0074, 0077; the first carrier and the second carrier can be different carriers in the same frequency band.), means for performing, prior to the transmission time occasion, a channel access procedure on each of the multiple component carriers to determine whether a respective frequency resource of each of the multiple component carriers is available (Par. 0082; in the mode 4, the in-vehicle terminal transmits sidelink data by means of sensing and reserving a transmission resource. Specifically, an in-vehicle terminal acquires an available transmission resource set from a resource pool by means of sensing, and randomly selects a transmission resource from the available transmission resource set to transmit the sidelink data.); and means for transmitting, during the transmission time occasion, a first sidelink message based at least in part on the channel access procedure (Par. 0082; in the mode 4, the in-vehicle terminal transmits sidelink data by means of sensing and reserving a transmission resource. Specifically, an in-vehicle terminal acquires an available transmission resource set from a resource pool by means of sensing, and randomly selects a transmission resource from the available transmission resource set to transmit the sidelink data.). In view of the above, having the system of Kwon, then given the well-established teaching of Zhao, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Kwon as taught by Zhao, in order to provide motivation for a dynamic change of transmission power on the two different sidelinks to be reduced or avoided (Par. 0006 of Zhao). Regarding claim 30, Kwon shows a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE) (Figure 16; noted instructions stored in memory and executed by the processor of the UE to perform the disclosed method of Figures 13-14.), the code comprising instructions executable by one or more processors to cause the UE to: determine a resource selection configuration that indicates a plurality of component carriers for sidelink communications (Figures 13-14; Par. 0176-0178, 0189; when UE 1 determines activation of duplicated packet transmission on the sidelink, UE 1 may select at least two carriers operable in mode 4.); select a transmission time occasion that has a frequency resource available on multiple component carriers of the plurality of component carriers based at least in part on the resource selection configuration (Table 3; Par. 0190-0191; UE 1 selects a radio resource for duplicated packet transmission based on transmission resource pool information of each serving cell or carrier obtained from the V2X service-related system information. The radio resource which is selectable for duplicated packet transmission may be configured as a subframe, a Transmission Time interval (TTI), or a PSSCH transmission interval existing at the same point in time, among serving cells or carriers.); and transmit, during the transmission time occasion, a first sidelink message within a corresponding frequency resource of at least one of the multiple component carriers (Figures 13-14; Par. 0195, 0201; UE performs the sidelink duplicated packet transmission on the two selected carriers based on the configuration and resources determined and selected in the prior steps.). Kwon shows all of the elements including the plurality of component carriers, as discussed above. Kwon does not specifically show the plurality of component carriers are within a shared radio frequency band, performing, prior to the transmission time occasion, a channel access procedure on each of the multiple component carriers to determine whether a respective frequency resource of each of the multiple component carriers is available; and transmitting, during the transmission time occasion, a first sidelink message based at least in part on the channel access procedure. However, the above-mentioned claim limitations are well-established in the art as evidenced by Zhao. Specifically, Zhao shows the plurality of component carriers are within a shared radio frequency band (Par. 0074, 0077; the first carrier and the second carrier can be different carriers in the same frequency band.), performing, prior to the transmission time occasion, a channel access procedure on each of the multiple component carriers to determine whether a respective frequency resource of each of the multiple component carriers is available (Par. 0082; in the mode 4, the in-vehicle terminal transmits sidelink data by means of sensing and reserving a transmission resource. Specifically, an in-vehicle terminal acquires an available transmission resource set from a resource pool by means of sensing, and randomly selects a transmission resource from the available transmission resource set to transmit the sidelink data.); and transmitting, during the transmission time occasion, a first sidelink message based at least in part on the channel access procedure (Par. 0082; in the mode 4, the in-vehicle terminal transmits sidelink data by means of sensing and reserving a transmission resource. Specifically, an in-vehicle terminal acquires an available transmission resource set from a resource pool by means of sensing, and randomly selects a transmission resource from the available transmission resource set to transmit the sidelink data.). In view of the above, having the system of Kwon, then given the well-established teaching of Zhao, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Kwon as taught by Zhao, in order to provide motivation for a dynamic change of transmission power on the two different sidelinks to be reduced or avoided (Par. 0006 of Zhao). Claim(s) 10-11, 14-15 and 25-26 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kwon in view of Zhao and Freda et al. (US 2021/0329596; hereinafter Freda). Regarding claim 10, modified Kwon shows all of the elements except selecting the transmission time occasion that has a frequency resource available at a same frequency location within a respective bandwidth of each component carrier of the multiple component carriers based at least in part on the resource selection configuration. However, the above-mentioned claim limitations are well-established in the art as evidenced by Freda. Specifically, Freda shows selecting the transmission time occasion that has a frequency resource available at a same frequency location within a respective bandwidth of each component carrier of the multiple component carriers based at least in part on the resource selection configuration (Figures 2-3; Par. 0120, 0127; the WTRU may apply certain restrictions/rules/criteria to determine the amount of allowable resources from which resource selection is permitted. Specifically, the WTRU may determine any of the following parameters defining the amount of available resources based on the time criticality. The WTRU may determine bandwidth in terms of the number of resource blocks, carriers, and BWPs that can be used. In FIG. 3, a WTRU may be configured with a number of possible center BWPs 310, 320, 330 to use for determination of selectable resources and may select one of the center frequencies.). In view of the above, having the system of Kwon, then given the well-established teaching of Freda, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Kwon as taught by Freda, in order to provide motivation to maintain an equal bandwidth for different criticality transmissions while maximizing the overall bandwidth or resource pool utilization (Par. 0127 of Freda). Regarding claim 11, modified Kwon shows the multiple component carriers including all of the plurality of component carriers (Freda: Figure 3; Par. 0137; the WTRU may select a transmit pool which defines the configuration to be used. Alternatively, resource configurations may be associated with multiple/all pools.). Regarding claim 14, modified Kwon shows all of the elements except the channel access procedure comprising a listen before talk procedure. However, the above-mentioned claim limitations are well-established in the art as evidenced by Freda. Specifically, Freda shows the channel access procedure comprising a listen before talk procedure (Par. 0229; A WTRU may be configured with resource selection based on sensing only (e.g., LTE) as well as resource selection that requires listen before talk (LBT).). In view of the above, having the system of Kwon, then given the well-established teaching of Freda, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Kwon as taught by Freda, in order to provide motivation to maintain an equal bandwidth for different criticality transmissions while maximizing the overall bandwidth or resource pool utilization (Par. 0127 of Freda). Regarding claim 15, modified Kwon shows all of the elements except the channel access procedure comprising an energy detection procedure. However, the above-mentioned claim limitations are well-established in the art as evidenced by Freda. Specifically, Freda shows the channel access procedure comprising an energy detection procedure (Par. 0229; A WTRU may measure CBR in the pool of resources for transmission. If the WTRU measures CBR above a threshold, the WTRU may use a LBT-based resource selection. If the WTRU measures CBR below a threshold, the WTRU may use conventional (e.g., LTE) autonomous resource selection.). In view of the above, having the system of Kwon, then given the well-established teaching of Freda, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Kwon as taught by Freda, in order to provide motivation to reduce the probability of collision under high occupancy and may use a resource selection mechanism which does not account for the possibility of collision under low occupancy (Par. 0228 of Freda). Regarding claims 25 and 26, these claims are rejected based on the same reasoning as presented in the rejection of claims 10 and 11, respectively. Allowable Subject Matter Claims 3-4 and 18-19 are 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. Examiner submits that none of the prior art references cited in this action teaches the claimed subject matter as specifically presented in the above dependent claims. Examiner submits that the allowance of this application is based on an examination wherein the claim limitations recited in the dependent claims were not taken alone but in view of the scope of the claim(s) as a whole including any proceeding and/or preceding claim limitation(s) present within the claims and by their respective dependencies on other claims. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. US 20220201707 A1 - There are provided a user equipment and a method that selects at least one resource across a plurality of carries for transmitting at least one packet in sidelink. US 20220191919 A1 - A method and apparatus for clearing retransmission resources based on acknowledgement in a wireless communication system is provided. US 20210160037 A1 - A method for communication between user equipments includes: determining, by a user equipment (UE), a physical control channel resource of a first frequency; and transmitting, by the UE, first control information on a physical control channel of the first frequency; wherein the first control information includes frequency indication information and/or resource indication information of a second frequency, the frequency indication information of the second frequency is used to indicate the second frequency, and the resource indication information of the second frequency is used to indicate an allocated/reserved resource of the second frequency. US 20210051630 A1 - Disclosed herein is a method of transmitting a sidelink signal by a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system including selecting a plurality of resources from two or more frequency resources, and transmitting a sidelink signal based on the plurality of selected resources, wherein the UE selects the plurality of resources based on i) continuity of frequency resources ii) maximum power reduction (MPR) in sequence. US 20200413397 A1 - A method in a radio device of radio resource allocation for transmitting data on a plurality of communication carriers is provided. US 20200351855 A1 - relates to wireless communication networks, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for handling a retransmission indication for a configured grant in sidelink in a wireless communication system. US 20200288431 A1 - relates to wireless communication and, more particularly, to a method for a user equipment (UE) to transmit a sidelink message in a wireless communication system and a UE using the method. US 20200229194 A1 - relates to wireless communication systems and more specifically to transmissions in device to device (D2D) environments. US 20100278136 A1 - A method for wireless communication combines OFDMA resource allocation and power control policies with cooperative relaying techniques. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to REDENTOR M PASIA whose telephone number is (571)272-9745. The examiner can normally be reached Mondays-Thursdays - 5am-245pm and Fridays 5am-330pm. 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, Un Cho can be reached at (571)272-7919. 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. /REDENTOR PASIA/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2413
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Apr 18, 2023
Application Filed
Feb 07, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §103 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12592852
Method, Apparatus, and System for Sending Packet and Receiving Packet to Perform OAM
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 31, 2026
Patent 12592867
METHOD FOR ESTABLISHING NETWORK CONNECTION AND APPARATUS
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 31, 2026
Patent 12563504
FULL POWER TRANSMISSION SIGNALING FOR COHERENT USER EQUIPMENT
2y 5m to grant Granted Feb 24, 2026
Patent 12556330
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACQUIRING UPLINK CHANNEL STATE INFORMATION
2y 5m to grant Granted Feb 17, 2026
Patent 12537623
SIDELINK DATA TRANSMISSION METHOD AND TERMINAL DEVICE
2y 5m to grant Granted Jan 27, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

AI Strategy Recommendation

Get an AI-powered prosecution strategy using examiner precedents, rejection analysis, and claim mapping.
Powered by AI — typically takes 5-10 seconds

Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
79%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+23.7%)
3y 3m
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 668 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow 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