Prosecution Insights
Last updated: July 17, 2026
Application No. 18/282,657

METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR A RESOURCE CONFLICT INDICATOR TRANSMISSION

Non-Final OA §103
Filed
Sep 18, 2023
Priority
Mar 19, 2021 — nonprovisional of PCTCN2021081763
Examiner
AL SAMAHI, SANAA SHAKER ABED
Art Unit
2463
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
Lenovo (United States) Inc.
OA Round
3 (Non-Final)
62%
Grant Probability
Moderate
3-4
OA Rounds
1m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 62% of resolved cases
62%
Career Allowance Rate
5 granted / 8 resolved
+4.5% vs TC avg
Strong +47% interview lift
Without
With
+46.7%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 11m
Avg Prosecution
28 currently pending
Career history
48
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§103
89.4%
+49.4% vs TC avg
§102
10.6%
-29.4% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 8 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 . Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114 A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 05/14/2026 has been entered. Response to Remarks This Office action is considered fully responsive to the amendments filed 05/06/2026. Claims 1-4, 6, 8-14 and 22-29 are pending in the application, claims 1, 13, 22, and 28 have been amended and 2-4, 6, 8-12, 14, 23-27, 29 were previously presented. Response to Arguments Applicant's arguments filed on 05/06/2026 have been fully considered and are persuasive. Therefore, the rejection has been withdrawn. However, upon further consideration, a new ground(s) of rejection is made in view of (US-20230389056-A1). A) Regarding independent claims 1, 13, 22 and 28, see the U.S.C. 103 rejection below. B) Regarding all dependent claims, see the U.S.C. 103 rejection below. The Claim Rejections section below details the rejections of the instant claims. 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. The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows: 1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art. 2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue. 3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art. 4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness. 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. Claims 1-3, 6, 8-14, 22-24, and 26-29 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Zhang et al. (US-20190387377-A1) in view of Wang et al. (US-20230389056-A1). Regarding claim 1 (Currently Amended), Zhang teaches a user equipment (UE) for wireless communication, comprising: at least one memory; and at least one processor coupled with the at least one memory and operable to cause the UE to ([0153], lines 1-9, describe the UE (terminal device) for performing bidirectional wireless communication, the UE includes a processor [0425] coupled with memory [0424], used for store data and programs, and the processor configured to perform the method functions as shown in Figs. 2 and 11): receive two or more control signals from two or more UEs, each control signal received from a respective UE of the two or more UEs indicating one or more reserved resources for the respective UE (Fig. 1, [0003], lines 7-11 states “The PSCCH is used to indicate time/frequency domain resource positions, modulation and coding mode, and priorities of data carried in PSSCH of PSSCH transmission, while PSSCH is used to carry data”, while [0156] states “Referring to FIG. 1, in step 101, a UE detects physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH) in a format of Sidelink Control Information (SCI) x transmitted by other UEs. For example, the UEs are UEs using Mode 4”. [0195], [0340], lines 3-5, the UE can detect/receive control signals such as PSCCHs transmitted by other UEs, where the PSCCH indicates reserved resources for each UE [0273], lines 8-15, the PSCCH contains information time/frequency domain resource positions, modulation and coding mode, and priorities of data carried in PSSCH for transmission. That implies the UE can receive two or more control signals, from other UEs, to indicate the reserved resources for the UE), detect whether there is a resource conflict among the one or more reserved resources for the two or more UEs (Fig. 1_ step 102, [0112] states “the UE excluding one or more candidate single-subframe resources which overlap or conflict with the at least one subframe from the set S.” That implies the capability of the UE to detect the overlap/ conflict among the reserved resources. [0156], [0342], [0159], lines 1-6, [0186], these sections describe the mechanism that can be done by the UE to detect resource conflict among the reserved resources for UEs which includes decoding PSCCH, measuring PSSCH-RSRP and S-RSSI and excluding the overlapping (conflicting) resources during selection); select, in response to detection of the resource conflict, a transmission resource from a set of resource conflict indicator resources allocated for transmission of a resource conflict indicator ([0091] and [0326] describe that the UE may exclude some candidate single-subframe resources which overlap or conflict with the above one or more subframes from the set S. [0137], lines 1-9, [0156], lines 4-11, [0166], based on the conflict detection process, the UE can select one or more transmission resources from the remaining available resources in the set for transmitting the PSSCH to ensure the selected resources do not overlap with the reserved resources of other UES, [0338]-[0339], [0169], lines 7-11. [0169], lines 7-11 , [0342], the UE carefully select single-subframe resources (usable resources) from single-subframe resources (reserved resources) which do not overlap with resources reserved by detected PSCCH when performing resource selection or reselection [0137], [0240], see also [0235]-[0238], to ensure efficient communication and reduce the interference in V2X systems [0154]), wherein the set of resource conflict indicator resources is associated with the two or more control signals ([0018] states “first User Equipment (UE) determining a SideLink Grant (SLG); wherein the SLG includes position information of M Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH) transmission resources, the M PSSCH transmission resources are used for M times of transmission of one Transmission Block (TB), M is a positive integer” where the SLG can be considered as control signal as stated in [0070], [0260], lines 9-13 and claim 6. The UE can receive multiple download control signals from BS or another UE through sidelink to determine the SLG and resource set as indicated in [0260], lines 1-5 . The SLG can be transmitted by UE to another UEs, as stated in [0156] lines 1-4. That describes the set of resource conflict indicator resources is associated with the two or more control signals). Zhang fails to teach wherein a respective time domain location of each resource within the set of resource conflict indicator resources is at least a first time gap after a time domain location of a corresponding control signal within the two or more control signals or is a second time gap before a time domain location of a corresponding reserved resource of the one or more reserved resources and transmit, to at least one UE of the two or more UEs, the resource conflict indicator on the selected transmission resource, However, Wang teaches wherein a respective time domain location of each resource within the set of resource conflict indicator resources is at least a first time gap after a time domain location of a corresponding control signal within the two or more control signals ([0002]-[0004] describe a method for a conflict indications, specifically, for managing resource or transmission conflict, where the physical SL channels, PSxCH, and feedback channel, PSFCH associated with control signals, PSCCH/PSSCH in time domain, see claim 1, 9 and Abstract. [0212]-[0213] and [0206] provide how the PSxCH occasion associated with PSCCH/PSSCH resources, and the PSxCH occasion considered as the first time gap after the control signal, see [0369]-[0370]. And claim 10 illustrates how PSxCH can be scheduled at the first available time gap after T , so that any resource conflict detected can be indicated correctly in the coming available slot, see [0359] which states “In some embodiments, a time interval, minimum time interval, or maximum time interval between a PSCCH and/or PSSCH occasion and an associated PSxCH occasion is K, K being a duration predefined by a protocol, configured by a control node, or pre-configured.” And [0496], [0202] and claim 15) or is at least a second time gap before a time domain location of a corresponding reserved resource of the one or more reserved resources, and transmit, to at least one UE of the two or more UEs, the resource conflict indicator on the selected transmission resource ([0030] sates “after determining a resource or transmission conflict, the first terminal can indicate the resource or transmission conflict to the second terminal in a variety of ways such that the second terminal does not use a resource under conflict.” [0065] provides that the conflict indication can be done using different ways, such as, by transmitting the conflict indication signaling [0438]-[0439], performing the conflict indication using PSxCH [[0007]-[0008], or by performing conflict indication through a physical sidelink feedback channel PSFCH resource corresponding to a resource under conflict as stated in [0009] and [0019]. Claim 1 confirm that by explicitly states “A conflict indication method performed by a first terminal, wherein the method comprises: in a case that a resource or transmission conflict is determined, indicating the resource or transmission conflict to a second terminal, comprising any one of the following: transmitting conflict indication signaling to the second terminal; performing conflict indication through a physical sidelink channel (PSxCH); and performing conflict indication through a physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) resource corresponding to a resource under conflict.”). Therefore, it would have been obvious to someone of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Zhang to incorporate the teachings of Wang (in analogous art) by including maximum time gap value is a sum of the resource reservation processing time and the resource selection processing time eliminate the problem of transmission resource or transmission conflicts (Wang, [0003]). Regarding claim 2 (Previously Presented), Zhang and Wang teach the UE of claim 1. Zhang further teaches wherein to detect whether there is a resource conflict (Fig. 1, [0112], [0156], [0342], [0159], lines 1-6, [0186], these sections describe the mechanism that can be done by the UE to detect resource conflict among the reserved resources for UEs which includes decoding PSCCH, measuring PSSCH-RSRP and S-RSSI and excluding the overlapping (conflicting) resources during selection), the at least one processor is operable to cause the UE ([0153], lines 1-9, describe the UE (terminal device) where the UE includes a processor [0425] coupled with memory [0424], used for store data and programs, and the processor configured to perform the method functions as shown in Figs. 2 and 11) to: detect whether there is resource overlapping between the one or more reserved resources for the two or more UEs (Fig. 1, [0112], [0156], [0342], [0159], lines 1-6, [0186], these sections describe the mechanism that can be done by the UE to detect resource conflict among the reserved resources for UEs which includes decoding PSCCH, measuring PSSCH-RSRP and S-RSSI and excluding the overlapping (conflicting) resources during selection); detect whether a time gap betweencontrol signals of the two or more control signals is equal to or less than a maximum time gap value ([0032], [0264], lines 1-9, the UE can detect the time gab as stated “a first PSSCH transmission resource unit and a last PSSCH transmission resource unit contained in each resource pattern have a time-domain gap less than or equal to a sum of a maximum tolerated delay ( max. gap value) for data transmission of the first UE and the time required for encoding the PSSCH” , to ensure the time gap between the control signals meets the predefined constraints to maintain low latency and high reliability , [0008], lines 15-20); and detect whether reference signal received power (RSRP) measurement results of the two or more UEs are above a threshold ([0094], lines 6-14, [0180], 20-36, [0423, lines 9-14, the UE detect the RSRP measurement results of the other UEs above predefined threshold value, which is a part of the resource exclusion process during resource selection or reselection). Regarding claim 3 (Previously Presented), Zhang and Wang teach the UE of claim 2. Zhang further teaches wherein the maximum time gap value is determined by at least one of: a resource reservation processing time (Fig. 7, [0145], [0032], [0160], [0172], the resource reservation interval (resource reservation processing time) refers to the time required for the UE to reserve resources for transmission[0292], lines 10-13, in mode 3, the allocation and reserved for the UE use can involve communication with BS for resource allocation, [0224]); or a resource selection processing time ( [0004], lines 13-17, refers to the time taken by the UE to autonomously select resources for transmission, in mode 4, [0007], lines 8-10, the UE performs resource selection by detection the channel conditions and select the suitable resources for transmission. [0265], the time domain gap should be less than or equal to the sum of the maximum tolerated delay for data transmission and the time required for encoding the PSSCH ). Regarding claim 6 (Previously Presented), Zhang and Wang teach the UE of claim 1. Zhang further teaches wherein time domain location of each resource within the set of resource conflict indicator resources is after the time domain location of the corresponding control signal within the two or more control signals ([0253]-[0254], the resource allocation based on the control signals, [0258], lines 1-8, if the first UE receives the downlink control signaling in slot n1, the first slot which is after slot n1+k and belonging to the current resource pool of the first UE is slot where the resource for the first time transmission in the SLG is located, which implies the resource is in a slot that occur after the slot where the control signal is received, [0258], lines 12-14, [0255]-[256]), and wherein the resource is associated with the control signal ([0172], lines 17-22, [0253]-[0254], the resources are linked to the control signal through the SLG which defines the positions of the resources in relation to the control signal [0030], [0250], lines 9-13). Regarding claim 8 (Previously Presented), Zhang and Wang teach the UE of claim 1. Zhang further teaches wherein time domain location of each resource within the set of resource conflict indicator resources is before the time domain location of the corresponding reserved resource within the one or more reserved resources ([0007], [0106], [0159], UE performs resource selection or reselection on subframe n,(time domain location/slot) on any one of subframes belonging to the resource pool within a range [n+T1,n+T2], [0121], reserved resources may occur later in the time domain (after), outside the window where the UE ensures the selected resources do not overlap with reserved resources, [0112]. That implies time domain location of each resource within the set of resource conflict indicator resources is before the time domain location of the corresponding reserved resource within the reserved resources). Regarding claim 9 (Previously Presented), Zhang and Wang teach the UE of claim 1. Zhang further teaches wherein to select the transmission resource from the set of resource conflict indicator resources ([0137], lines 1-9, [0156], lines 4-11, [0166], based on the conflict detection process, the UE can select one or more transmission resources from the remaining available resources in the set for transmitting the PSSCH to ensure the selected resources do not overlap ( which means excluded from the set of resource conflict indicator resources ) with the reserved resources of other UES, [0338]-[0339], [0169], lines 7-11), the at least one processor is operable to cause the UE ([0153], lines 1-9, describe the UE (terminal device) where the UE includes a processor [0425] coupled with memory [0424], used for store data and programs, and the processor configured to perform the method functions as shown in Figs. 2 and 11) to: determine whether a time gap between a resource within the set of resource conflict indicator resources and a reserved resource within the one or more reserved resources is equal to or greater than a time gap threshold ([0156], [0403], lines 1-8, the determining by detect the reserved resources which included their positions and reserved intervals, [0160], [0206], [0408], [0186], then calculate the time gap and compare the calculated time gap with the predefine threshold, [0326]); and select, in response to determining that the time gap is equal to or greater than the time gap threshold, the resource as the selected transmission resource ([0326], [0404], if the gap is equal to or greater than the threshold, the resource is not excluded and remains a valid for transmission, [0092], [0408]). Regarding claim 10 (Previously Presented), Zhang and Wang teach the UE of claim 1, wherein to select the transmission resource from the set of resource conflict indicator resources, the at least one processor is operable to cause the UE to at least one of; Zhang further teaches select the transmission resource according to a priority field value included in a control signal within the two or more control signals ( [0132], describe the process to select the transmission resources based on the priority field value in the PSCCH which included in a control signal within control signals, [0374], lines 14-17, the evaluation of the priority field values included in the detected control signals, [0186], “ If a value prior of a priority field contained in the SCI x is greater than a particular value, then the UE excludes the single-subframe resource Rx,y from S when selecting or reselecting resources” , [0282]); select the transmission resource according to the respective a time domain location of each resource within the set of resource conflict indicator resources ([0378]-[0379], lines 1-4, [0159], lines 6-20, [0279], the selection based on time domain locations can be done by defining the a resource selection window, evaluating overlapping resources, then excluding the overlapping resources and sorting and selecting the resources, [0287], lines 9-10, [0196], claim 10); select the transmission resource according to a time gap between a resource within the set of resource conflict indicator resources and the corresponding reserved resource within the one or more reserved resources; select the transmission resource is associated with reserved resource within the one or more reserved resources, select the transmission resource associated with a control signal within the two or more control signals, indicating a fewest quantity of reserved resources; or select the transmission resource according to a power restriction of the UE. Regarding claim 11 (Previously Presented), Zhang and Wang teach the UE of claim 1. Zhang further teaches wherein the selected transmission resource is associated with a control signal including a higher priority field value within the two or more control signals ([0237], [0124], the selection process ensure the UE prioritizes resources associated with higher priority transmissions, [0374, “The priority of the sidelink signal is determined by the value of the “priority” field in the PSCCH of the sidelink signal. The higher the value of the priority field, the lower the priority level “, [0186], lines21-24, the resources associated with control signals that have higher priority values (lower priority data) may be excluded from selection). Regarding claim 12 (Previously Presented), Zhang and Wang teach the UE of claim 10, wherein Zhang further teaches the selected transmission resource has an earliest time domain location within the set of resource conflict indicator resources ([0258], lines 1-8, the UE can identify the earliest slot (time domain location) after a specific offset (n1+k) and selects it as the first resource for transmission, [0088], describes the priority of earliest resources in multi carrier scenarios, which implies inherently prioritizes resources with earlier domain locations ( minimum variance in time domain indices, [0089]). Regarding claim 13 (Currently Amended), Zhang teaches a first user equipment (UE) for wireless communication, comprising: at least one memory; and at least one processor coupled with the at least one memory and operable to cause the first UE ([0153], lines 1-9, describe the UE (terminal device) for performing bidirectional wireless communication, the UE includes a processor [0425] coupled with memory [0424], used for store data and programs, and the processor configured to perform the method functions as shown in Figs. 2 and 11 ) to: transmit a control signal to a second UE (Fig. 1, [0156], describe the UE transmits PSCCH to other UE), the control signal indicating one or more reserved resources for the first UE (the PSCCH indicates reserved resources for each UE [0273], lines 8-15, the PSCCH contains information time/frequency domain resource positions, modulation and coding mode, and priorities of data carried in PSSCH for transmission); wherein the set of resource conflict indicator resources are associated with the control signal ([0018] states “first User Equipment (UE) determining a SideLink Grant (SLG); wherein the SLG includes position information of M Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH) transmission resources, the M PSSCH transmission resources are used for M times of transmission of one Transmission Block (TB), M is a positive integer” where the SLG can be considered as control signal as stated in [0070], [0260], lines 9-13 and claim 6. The UE can receive multiple download control signals from BS or another UE through sidelink to determine the SLG and resource set as indicated in [0260], lines 1-5 . The SLG can be transmitted by UE to another UEs, as stated in [0156] lines 1-4. That describes the set of resource conflict indicator resources is associated with the two or more control signals). Zhang fails to teach receive, via a resource from a set of resource conflict indicator resources allocated for transmission of a resource conflict indicator, the resource conflict indicator from the second UE, the resource conflict indicator indicating resource conflict between the one or more reserved resources for the first UE and one or more reserved resources for a third UE, and wherein a respective time domain location of each resource within the set of resource conflict indicator resources is at least a first time gap after a time domain location of the control signal or is at least a first time gap after a time domain location of the one or more reserved resources for the first UE. However, Wang teaches receive, via a resource from a set of resource conflict indicator resources allocated for transmission of a resource conflict indicator, the receive a resource conflict indicator from the second UE ([0010] states “provides a conflict indication method performed by a second terminal and including: [0011] obtaining, by performing any one of the following, conflict indication information indicated by a first terminal: [0012] receiving conflict indication signaling from the first terminal”, see also Step 201, Fig.5, [0263] and [0423]-[0426]. That implies the other terminals/UE can receive/monitor the resources to obtain the indication of the conflict if occur), the resource conflict indicator indicating a resource conflict between the one or more reserved resources for the first UE and one or more reserved resources for a third UE ([0078]-[0080] state “detecting, by the first terminal, a resource under conflict based on resource information; [0079] where the resource information is used to represent at least one of the following: [0080] a resource of the first terminal, a resource of at least one second terminal.” That implies the method can be applied for multiple UEs, see also [0083]. [0089]-[0090] illustrate that the resource of the at least one second terminal determined by using SL control information received by the first terminal, where the SL control information includes at least one of the following: [0090] resource reservation information, and a terminal identifier associated with a reserved resource. That confirm the resource conflict indicator indicating a resource conflict between the one or more reserved resources for the first UE and one or more reserved resources for another UE, such as, the third UE), and wherein a respective time domain location of each resource within the set of resource conflict indicator resources is a first time gap after a time domain location of the control signal (([0002]-[0004] describe a method for a conflict indications, specifically, for managing resource or transmission conflict, where the physical SL channels, PSxCH, and feedback channel, PSFCH associated with control signals, PSCCH/PSSCH in time domain, see claim 1, 9 and Abstract. [0212]-[0213] and [0206] provide how the PSxCH occasion associated with PSCCH/PSSCH resources, and the PSxCH occasion considered as the first time gap after the control signal, see [0369]-[0370]. And claim 10 illustrates how PSxCH can be scheduled at the first available time gap after T , so that any resource conflict detected can be indicated correctly in the coming available slot, see [0359] which states “In some embodiments, a time interval, minimum time interval, or maximum time interval between a PSCCH and/or PSSCH occasion and an associated PSxCH occasion is K, K being a duration predefined by a protocol, configured by a control node, or pre-configured.” And [0496], [0202] and claim 15)) or is least a second time gap after a time domain location of the one or more reserved resources for the first UE Therefore, it would have been obvious to someone of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Zhang to incorporate the teachings of Wang (in analogous art) by including maximum time gap value is a sum of the resource reservation processing time and the resource selection processing time eliminate the problem of transmission resource or transmission conflicts (Wang, [0003]). Regarding claim 14 (Previously Presented), Zhang and Wang teach the first UE of claim 13. wherein the at least one processor is operable to cause the first UE to: Zhang further teaches: trigger a resource reselection procedure for a transmission to be transmitted on a reserved resource for the first UE wherein the reserved resource for the first UE relates to the resource conflict ([0423], lines 9-14, [0121], [0354], lines 12-15, if the resource cannot accommodate the transmission (e.g., because of conflict or data size) the UE triggers a resource reselection procedure which involves determining new resources for transmission, [0137], based on the detection results, the UE can trigger a resource reselection procedure to select new resources, [0404], lines 4-12, describe the reserved resources for the UE can overlap with resources reserved by other UEs which lead to a resource conflict); and exclude, from a candidate resource set of the first UE, the reserved resource for the first UE ([0326], lines 1-4, [0341], describe the scenario where the UE can exclude its reserved resource from the candidate resource set if it detects a conflict or unavailability, [0338]-[0339]). As to claims 22-24, 26-27, 28-29 see similar rejections to claims 1-3, 6-8, 13-14, respectively. The apparatus teaches the method. Claims 4 and 25 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Zhang et al. (US-20190387377-A1) in view of Wang et al. (US-20230389056-A1), and further in view of Wu et al. (US-20200252910-A1). Regarding claim 4 (Previously Presented), Zhang and Wu teach the UE of claim 3. Zhang and Wang do not explicitly teach wherein the maximum time gap value is a sum of the resource reservation processing time and the resource selection processing time. However, Wu teaches wherein the maximum time gap value is a sum of the resource reservation processing time and the resource selection processing time ([0007], lines 1-7, claim 9, 5-10, [0029 and [0056], lines 6-8, the time gap value between the resource reservation and resource selection is influenced by the processing times for both operations, the constraint in [0056], , predefined time intervals in [0060], ,preparation for transmission in [0059], lines 9-12, and latency features in [0105] are all provided as implied the time gap must account for both resource reservation and selection processing time). Therefore, it would have been obvious to someone of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Zhang in view of Wang to incorporate the teachings of Wu (in analogous art) by including maximum time gap value is a sum of the resource reservation processing time and the resource selection processing time to avoid the conflict and communicated effectively to the relevant UEs (Wu, [0051], lines 6-11). As to claim 25 see similar rejections to claim 4, the apparatus teaches the method. Relevant Prior Art The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Wang et al. (US-20200068609-A1), Shilov et al. (US-20200374861-A1), Wang (US-20210051654-A1), Zhao (CN-112205067-A), Min et al. (CN-111434175-A), CAI et al. (CN-111108788-A) teach methods involved in identifying the overlap and conflict in transmission with SL wireless communication systems. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to SANAA S AL SAMAHI whose telephone number is (571)272-4171. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 8-5 EST. 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, Asad Nawaz can be reached at (571) 272-3988. 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. /SANAA AL SAMAHI/Examiner, Art Unit 2463 /OMAR J GHOWRWAL/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2463
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Prosecution Timeline

Show 1 earlier event
Oct 06, 2025
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103
Jan 21, 2026
Response Filed
Mar 12, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §103
Apr 28, 2026
Interview Requested
May 06, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
May 14, 2026
Request for Continued Examination
May 24, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
Jun 26, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103 (current)

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3-4
Expected OA Rounds
62%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+46.7%)
2y 11m (~1m remaining)
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