Prosecution Insights
Last updated: August 06, 2026
Application No. 18/251,437

Resource Processing Method and Apparatus and Storage Medium

Non-Final OA §103
Filed
May 02, 2023
Priority
Nov 03, 2020 — CN 202011210192.0 +2 more
Examiner
ACOLATSE, KODZOVI
Art Unit
2478
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
OA Round
2 (Non-Final)
84%
Grant Probability
Favorable
2-3
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 84% — above average
84%
Career Allowance Rate
781 granted / 933 resolved
+25.7% vs TC avg
Strong +21% interview lift
Without
With
+21.1%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 6m
Avg Prosecution
48 currently pending
Career history
989
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
5.6%
-34.4% vs TC avg
§103
54.8%
+14.8% vs TC avg
§102
22.3%
-17.7% vs TC avg
§112
9.1%
-30.9% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 933 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 . Claims 34-54 are pending in this office action. Allowable Subject Matter Claims 35, 36, 39-47,49, 50 and 53 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. Response to Arguments Applicant’s arguments with respect to the amendment filed 02/03/2026 have been considered but are moot in view of new grounds of rejection. 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 34, 37, 38, 48, 51, 52 and 54 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Fong et al (US 2021/0400655 A1) in view of Zhang (US 2023/0030664 A1) in further view of Hui et al (US 2023/0262718 A1). Regarding claim 34 and 54, Fong teaches A method applied to a first device and comprising: receiving first sidelink control information (SCI) comprising first indication information, wherein a type of the first SCI is a first type, wherein the first indication information indicates a first time-frequency resource (Fong: Fig. 3:320; [0164], UE 115-d receives a first SCI from UE 115-c indicating a set of resource), wherein the first indication information further instructs the first device to send a second SCI, and wherein the first time-frequency resource is reserved for the second device to send data to the first device, or the second device to send data to the first device and for the first device to receive data (Fong: Fig. 3:320; [0164], UE 115-d receives a first SCI from UE 115-c indicating a set of resource for communication between the two UEs; [0172] a third SCI is transmitted by UE 115-d in response to the SCI from UE 115-c; the first SCI to allow UE 115-d to receive data to UE 115-c); and sending the second SCI comprising second indication information (Fong: Fig. 3; [0172], [0175]), wherein a type of the second SCI is a second type (Fong: Fig. 3: [0172], [0175], third SCI to allow UE 115-d to send data to UE 115-c), wherein the second indication information indicates a second time-frequency resource (Fong: Fig. 3; [0172], [0175], third SCI comprising resource to allow UE 115-d to send/receive data to UE 115-c), wherein the second time-frequency resource is reserved for the first device to receive data (Fong: Fig. 3; [0172], [0175] third SCI comprising resource to allow UE 115-d to send/receive data to UE 115-c). Fong does not explicitly disclose wherein the first time-frequency resource comprises the second time-frequency resource. Zhang teaches wherein the first time-frequency resource comprises the second time-frequency resource (Zhang: [0144], [0212], [0329], a first set of sidelink resource is included in a second set of sidelink resource; both being resource requested by SCI). It would have been obvious to a person having an ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Fong wherein the first time-frequency resource comprises the second time-frequency resource as disclosed by Zhang to provide a system for setting duration in sidelink communications (Zhang: Abstract). Fong in view of Zhang does not explicitly disclose the SCI comprises a first service priority of data, a first device identifier of the first device, and a second device identifier of a second device; the second SCI comprising second indication information a second service priority of data, and the second device identifier wherein the second service priority is based on the first service priority. Hui teaches the SCI comprises a first service priority of data, a first device identifier of the first device, and a second device identifier of a second device (Hui: [0246]-[0251], [0266]); the second SCI comprising second indication information a second service priority of data, and the second device identifier wherein the second service priority is based on the first service priority (Hui: [0246]-[0251], [0266]). It would have been obvious to a person having an ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Fong the SCI comprises a first service priority of data, a first device identifier of the first device, and a second device identifier of a second device; the second SCI comprising second indication information a second service priority of data, and the second device identifier wherein the second service priority is based on the first service priority as disclosed by Hui to provide a system for condition for skipping resource evaluation for sidelink (Hui: Abstract). Regarding claim 48, Fong teaches a first device comprising: a memory configured to store executable instructions; and one or more processors coupled to the memory and configured to execute the instructions to cause the first device to: receive first sidelink control information (SCI) comprising first indication information, wherein a type of the first SCI is a first type, wherein the first indication information indicates a first time-frequency resource (Fong: Fig. 3:320; [0164], UE 115-d receives a first SCI from UE 115-c indicating a set of resource), wherein the first indication information further instructs the first device to send second SCI, wherein the first time- frequency resource is reserved for a second device to send data to the first device, or the first time-frequency resource is reserved for the second device to send data to the first device and that is reserved for the first device to receive data (Fong: Fig. 3:320; [0164], UE 115-d receives a first SCI from UE 115-c indicating a set of resource for communication between the two UEs; [0172] a third SCI is transmitted by UE 115-d in response to the SCI from UE 115-c; the first SCI to allow UE 115-d to receive data to UE 115-c); and send the second SCI comprising second indication information (Fong: Fig. 3: [0172], [0175]), wherein a type of the second SCI is a second type (Fong: Fig. 3: [0172], [0175], third SCI to allow UE 115-d to send data to UE 115-c), wherein the second indication information indicates a second time-frequency resource (Fong: Fig. 3; [0172], [0175] third SCI comprising resource to allow UE 115-d to send/receive data to UE 115-c), wherein the second time-frequency resource is reserved for the first device to receive data (Fong: Fig. 3; [0172], [0175] third SCI comprising resource to allow UE 115-d to send/receive data to UE 115-c), and Fong does not explicitly disclose wherein the first time-frequency resource comprises the second time-frequency resource. Zhang teaches wherein the first time-frequency resource comprises the second time-frequency resource (Zhang: [0144], [0212], [0329], a first set of sidelink resource is included in a second set of sidelink resource; both being resource requested by SCI). It would have been obvious to a person having an ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Fong wherein the first time-frequency resource comprises the second time-frequency resource as disclosed by Zhang to provide a system for setting duration in sidelink communications (Zhang: Abstract). Fong in view of Zhang does not explicitly disclose the SCI comprises a first service priority of data, a first device identifier of the first device, and a second device identifier of a second device; the second SCI comprising second indication information a second service priority of data, and the second device identifier wherein the second service priority is based on the first service priority. Hui teaches the SCI comprises a first service priority of data, a first device identifier of the first device, and a second device identifier of a second device (Hui: [0246]-[0251], [0266]); the second SCI comprising second indication information a second service priority of data, and the second device identifier wherein the second service priority is based on the first service priority (Hui: [0246]-[0251], [0266]). It would have been obvious to a person having an ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Fong the SCI comprises a first service priority of data, a first device identifier of the first device, and a second device identifier of a second device; the second SCI comprising second indication information a second service priority of data, and the second device identifier wherein the second service priority is based on the first service priority as disclosed by Hui to provide a system for condition for skipping resource evaluation for sidelink (Hui: Abstract). Regarding claims 37 and 51, Fong in view of Zhang teaches wherein the first SCI further comprises a first identifier that instructs the first device to send the second SCI (Fong: Fig. 3; [0172] a third SCI is transmitted by UE 115-d in response to the SCI from UE 115-c; the first SCI including a reverse sidelink scheduling indicator). Regarding claims 38 and 52, Fong in view of Zhang teaches wherein the first SCI further comprises a second identifier that indicates that the type of the first SCI is the first type (Fong: Fig. 3; [0164] the first including a first type of SCI). . Conclusion THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. 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 KODZOVI ACOLATSE whose telephone number is (571)270-1999. The examiner can normally be reached Monday to Friday 10 am to 6pm. 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, Avellino Joseph can be reached at (571) 272-3905. 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. /KODZOVI ACOLATSE/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2478
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

May 02, 2023
Application Filed
Dec 03, 2025
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103
Feb 03, 2026
Response Filed
Apr 28, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §103
Jul 21, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
Jul 30, 2026
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12701574
ELECTRONIC APPARATUS, BASE STATION, COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, METHOD, AND STORAGE MEDIUM
3y 10m to grant Granted Aug 04, 2026
Patent 12701593
ADAPTIVE DISTRIBUTED UNIT (DU) SCHEDULER
3y 0m to grant Granted Aug 04, 2026
Patent 12695586
UPLINK PREEMPTION IN CARRIER AGGREGATION/MULTI-CONNECTIVITY MODE
3y 3m to grant Granted Jul 28, 2026
Patent 12696347
DISCONTINUOUS RECEPTION (DRX) BASED ANCHOR USER EQUIPMENT (UE) SELECTION FOR JOINT POSITIONING SESSIONS
2y 6m to grant Granted Jul 28, 2026
Patent 12696303
BEAM INDICATIONS FOR MULTIPLE UPLINK OR DOWNLINK CHANNELS AND REFERENCE SIGNALS
2y 1m to grant Granted Jul 28, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

Strategy Recommendation AI-generated — please review before filing

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

Prosecution Projections

2-3
Expected OA Rounds
84%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+21.1%)
2y 6m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
PTA Risk
Based on 933 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

Sign in with your work email

Enter your email to receive a magic link. No password needed.

Personal email addresses (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.) are not accepted.

Free tier: 3 strategy analyses per month