Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/261,906

COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, CONTROL SERVER APPARATUS, BASE STATION PLACEMENT METHOD AND PROGRAM

Non-Final OA §103
Filed
Jul 18, 2023
Examiner
LIU, JUNG-JEN
Art Unit
2473
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
89%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
2y 7m
To Grant
94%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 89% — above average
89%
Career Allow Rate
1070 granted / 1198 resolved
+31.3% vs TC avg
Minimal +5% lift
Without
With
+4.7%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 7m
Avg Prosecution
36 currently pending
Career history
1234
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
6.2%
-33.8% vs TC avg
§103
71.4%
+31.4% vs TC avg
§102
5.6%
-34.4% vs TC avg
§112
2.9%
-37.1% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1198 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 . DETAILED ACTION Allowable Subject Matter 1a. Claims 2, 3 and 5 are objected to as dependent upon rejected claims, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 2. 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. 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 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. 2a. Claims 1, 4 and 6-8 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Shoshan (US 20210099225 A1) in view of Anvari (US 20230399011 A1). 2b. Summary of the Cited Prior Art Shoshan discloses a method for moving cellular communication system. Anvari discloses a method for moving and stationary IoT communication system. 2c. Claim Analysis Regarding Claim 1, Shoshan discloses: A communication system comprising: a movable base station; and a control server apparatus including circuitry configured to: generate one or more terminal clusters that are obtained by clustering terminal devices based on [(Shoshan discloses creating or generating a list of mobile stations to be served: [0041] In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided a cellular system comprising at least two moving non-stationary base stations for enabling cellular communication between at least two mobile stations in a geographic area that lacks adequate cellular coverage by at least one stationary base station. [0066] FIG. 6 illustrates schematically a flow chart of a sequence of operations for obtaining centralistic adaptable network coverage, in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention. The first step 610, which is optional, is a detection of new MSs/EMSs that can be served by any of the MRs of the moving cellular communication system. The detection can be implemented for example by airborne MR that has a wide coverage area and that can detect further MS s/EMS s that are not covered or served by ground MRs. Optionally, an additional list of MSs and/or EMS can be entered manually or remotely. After adding the new detected or manually/remotely entered MSs/EMSs to the list of the MSs/EMSs that needs to be served by the system, the next step 620 is to provide to the non-stationary (moving) cellular system the estimated location of one or more of the MSs/EMSs that it needs to serve. Fig 7, Steps 710-760; Fig 6; see also Figs 1a-5 and 8-10)]; (i) information about a location and a material of each of at least one shielding object in an area and [(Shoshan discloses physical constraint or objects in the area: [0066] …... Optionally, an additional list of MSs and/or EMS can be entered manually or remotely. After adding the new detected or manually/remotely entered MSs/EMSs to the list of the MSs/EMSs that needs to be served by the system, the next step 620 is to provide to the non-stationary (moving) cellular system the estimated location of one or more of the MSs/EMSs that it needs to serve. In accordance with certain embodiments, step 625 is implemented in which, in addition to location, any other information that needs to be considered can be provided to the non-stationary (moving) cellular system, such as but not limited to the required application for the MSs/EMSs, physical constraints of moving to a specific direction, the quality of service (such as signal-to-noise ratio, bit-error-rate, block-error-rate), the MS characteristics (such as but not limited to antenna performance and type and maximal transmitted power). Fig 7, Steps 710-760; Fig 6; see also Figs 1a-5 and 8-10)]; (ii) a location of each terminal device; [(Shoshan discloses estimating locations of all terminal devices: [0066] FIG. 6 illustrates schematically a flow chart of a sequence of operations for obtaining centralistic adaptable network coverage, in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention. The first step 610, which is optional, is a detection of new MSs/EMSs that can be served by any of the MRs of the moving cellular communication system. The detection can be implemented for example by airborne MR that has a wide coverage area and that can detect further MS s/EMS s that are not covered or served by ground MRs. Optionally, an additional list of MSs and/or EMS can be entered manually or remotely. After adding the new detected or manually/remotely entered MSs/EMSs to the list of the MSs/EMSs that needs to be served by the system, the next step 620 is to provide to the non-stationary (moving) cellular system the estimated location of one or more of the MSs/EMSs that it needs to serve. In accordance with certain embodiments, step 625 is implemented in which, in addition to location, any other information that needs to be considered can be provided to the non-stationary (moving) cellular system, such as but not limited to the required application for the MSs/EMSs, physical constraints of moving to a specific direction, the quality of service (such as signal-to-noise ratio, bit-error-rate, block-error-rate), the MS characteristics (such as but not limited to antenna performance and type and maximal transmitted power). [0066] …… The estimated location of part or all of the MSs/EMSs are sent to and stored in a central location. Such a central location can be in example seen in FIG. 1 as one of the rRM 118 in one of the a MR/EMR of the non-stationary cellular system. In this central location a test or computation is then executed to identify whether a change in the location of part or all the MRs/EMRs is required. If no change is required, as a result of this test 665, then the flow returns to the previous step 620. Otherwise, the next step is the calculation of the new location of the part (or all) the MRs that their location needs to be changed 640. The identification step 630 and calculation step 640 can be based on several criteria such as weighted sum of parameters such as the location of the MSs/EMSs, and any abovementioned information or parameter that is provided to the system (i.e. quality of service). Fig 7, Steps 710-760; Fig 6; see also Figs 1a-5 and 8-10)]; determine a location of the movable base station for each of the one or more terminal clusters; and [(Shoshan discloses determining the new location of the movable base station or relay: [0067] ………. The location information (and additional information) is then tested and computed to identify the need of change in the current MR 730. If no need of change is the result 765, then the flow returns to the previous step 720. Otherwise the flow proceeds to the calculation step 740. In the calculation step 740 the new location of the MR/EMR is calculated (methods for calculations are described in FIG. 6). Then the MR/EMR moves to the new location 750. Thereafter, optionally, the new location of the MR is sent to the neighboring MRs 760. And finally the flow returns 770 to step 720. Fig 7, Steps 740-760; Fig 6; see also Figs 1a-5 and 8-10)]; move the movable base station to the determined location, for each of the one or more terminal clusters [(Shoshan discloses moving the movable base station or relay to a new location: [0067] ………. The location information (and additional information) is then tested and computed to identify the need of change in the current MR 730. If no need of change is the result 765, then the flow returns to the previous step 720. Otherwise the flow proceeds to the calculation step 740. In the calculation step 740 the new location of the MR/EMR is calculated (methods for calculations are described in FIG. 6). Then the MR/EMR moves to the new location 750. Thereafter, optionally, the new location of the MR is sent to the neighboring MRs 760. And finally the flow returns 770 to step 720. Fig 7, Steps 740-760; Fig 6; see also Figs 1a-5 and 8-10)]. Shoshan does not discloses about material. However, Anvari discloses: (i) information about a location and a material of each of at least one shielding object in an area and [(Anvair discloses location and material of barriers: [0130] Terrestrial base stations (RU, RRU, eNodeB, gNodeB, or proprietary) are stationary and located in the center (or vertices) of a hexagon cell as shown in FIG. 5. The terrestrial cluster 601 has a center cell 602 and 6 cells attached to its peripheral. This cluster grows by adding new cells to expand the coverage area. Cells in the architecture of FIG. 5 and the moving objects within the cells are all controlled by SOMC. The shared database SD stores location coordinate of the base stations (RU, RRU, eNodeB, gNodeB, or proprietary), type of base stations (sectors, transmit power, height of antenna, type of tower, service providers using the tower, type of power supply), the terrain map of the cells, street and road map of the cells, one way or two way roads, allowed or not allowed right turn at red light, location coordinates of junctions and traffic lights, type of junctions, type of street and road (one lane, two lanes, multiple lanes, road and street curbs and center barriers), type of stationary objects in the cells, type of buildings (height, type of body structure), specific information for moving object's navigation and protection system (NPS), and service providers using the cells. Some of the data in SD are fixed and some dynamically change. Figs 5-6, 12A-12F)]. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to integrate Shoshan’s method for moving cellular communication system with Anvari’s method for moving and stationary IoT communication system with the motivation being to enhance deep learning (Anvari, Title). Regarding Claim 4, Shoshan does not discloses this claim. However, Anvari discloses: wherein the circuitry of the control server apparatus is further configured to determine, as the location of the movable base station, for each of two terminal clusters of the one or more terminal clusters, a location at which a greatest number of terminal devices that are situated within a line of sight is obtained, a location at which a smallest total radio wave attenuation amount is obtained, or a location of a center of gravity of the terminal cluster [(Anvari discloses location center of a cluster or cell: [0130] Terrestrial base stations (RU, RRU, eNodeB, gNodeB, or proprietary) are stationary and located in the center (or vertices) of a hexagon cell as shown in FIG. 5. The terrestrial cluster 601 has a center cell 602 and 6 cells attached to its peripheral. This cluster grows by adding new cells to expand the coverage area. Cells in the architecture of FIG. 5 and the moving objects within the cells are all controlled by SOMC. The shared database SD stores location coordinate of the base stations (RU, RRU, eNodeB, gNodeB, or proprietary), type of base stations (sectors, transmit power, height of antenna, type of tower, service providers using the tower, type of power supply), the terrain map of the cells, street and road map of the cells, one way or two way roads, allowed or not allowed right turn at red light, location coordinates of junctions and traffic lights, type of junctions, type of street and road (one lane, two lanes, multiple lanes, road and street curbs and center barriers), type of stationary objects in the cells, type of buildings (height, type of body structure), specific information for moving object's navigation and protection system (NPS), and service providers using the cells. Some of the data in SD are fixed and some dynamically change. Figs 5-6, 12A-12F)]. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to integrate Shoshan’s method for moving cellular communication system with Anvari’s method for moving and stationary IoT communication system with the motivation being to enhance deep learning (Anvari, Title). Regarding Claim 6, the claim discloses similar features as of Claim 1, and is rejected accordingly. Regarding Claim 7, the claim discloses similar features as of Claim 1, and is rejected accordingly. Regarding Claim 8, the claim discloses similar features as of Claim 1, and is rejected accordingly. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Jung-Jen Liu whose telephone number is 571-270-7643. The examiner can normally be reached on Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Kwang B. Yao can be reached on 571-272-3182. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished applications is available through Private PAIR only. For more information about the PAIR system, see http://pair-direct.uspto.gov. Should you have questions on access to the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to the automated information system, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /JUNG LIU/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2473
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Jul 18, 2023
Application Filed
Aug 21, 2025
Non-Final Rejection — §103 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12604207
APPARATUSES AND METHODS FOR FACILITATING AN INTEGRATED NETWORK AND SYSTEM PLANNING TOOL
2y 5m to grant Granted Apr 14, 2026
Patent 12604332
TECHNIQUES FOR SENDING ASSISTANCE INFORMATION FOR CANCELLING INTERFERENCE IN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS
2y 5m to grant Granted Apr 14, 2026
Patent 12603695
Reconfigurable Wireless Radio System for Providing Highly Sensitive Nationwide Radar Functionality Using a Limited Number of Frequencies and Adaptable Hardware
2y 5m to grant Granted Apr 14, 2026
Patent 12593241
COMPUTERIZED SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR NON-DISRUPTIVE CAC ON A NETWORK VIA MLO FUNCTIONALITY
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 31, 2026
Patent 12593375
METHOD OF DETECTING STATUS OF USER OUTSIDE VEHICLE, SYSTEM, STORAGE MEDIUM AND VEHICLE THEREOF
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 31, 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
89%
Grant Probability
94%
With Interview (+4.7%)
2y 7m
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 1198 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