Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 02, 2026
Application No. 18/291,085

METHOD, DEVICE AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM FOR COMMUNICATIONS

Final Rejection §103
Filed
Jan 22, 2024
Priority
Jul 23, 2021 — nonprovisional of PCTCN2021108271
Examiner
ESMAEILIAN, MAJID
Art Unit
2477
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
NEC Corporation
OA Round
2 (Final)
76%
Grant Probability
Favorable
3-4
OA Rounds
1y 1m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 76% — above average
76%
Career Allowance Rate
243 granted / 321 resolved
+17.7% vs TC avg
Strong +24% interview lift
Without
With
+24.0%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 9m
Avg Prosecution
16 currently pending
Career history
357
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
3.2%
-36.8% vs TC avg
§103
69.7%
+29.7% vs TC avg
§102
13.0%
-27.0% vs TC avg
§112
8.4%
-31.6% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 321 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 This is in reply to an amendment filed on 07/14/2026. Status of Claims are: ** Claims 43-45, 47, 49-51, 53, and 55-58 are pending. ** Claims 55-58 are new ** Claims 46, 48, 52, and 54 are cancelled. Response to Arguments Applicants’ arguments filed in the amendment dated 07/14/2026, have been fully considered but are moot in view of new grounds of rejection. The reasons are set forth below. Prior Art U. S. Patent Pub No. US 20210176735 A1 issued to Deng et al., (hereinafter Deng). Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 4. 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 set forth in Graham v. John Deere Co., 383 U.S. 1, 148 USPQ 459 (1966), that are applied 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. Claims 43, 44, 47, 49, 50, 53 and 55-58 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over US 20200351033 A1 to Ryu et al., (hereinafter Ryu) in view of US 20210176735 A1 to Deng et al., (hereinafter Deng). Claim 43. A method performed by a first terminal device (i.e., reception-UE (RX-UE)), comprising: receiving a configuration information (i.e., reception-UE (RX-UE) receiving “resource pool information” from gNB, see Fig. 4 & Fig. 5) comprising first information indicating a first number of slots for a physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) transmission; (i.e., the “resource pool information” includes a resource slot/symbol index for PSFCH transmissions/reception) and (Ryu: See Figures 4, and para[0128]-[0136] gNB, via “system information”, configures a “reception UE” (RX-UE) (i.e., first terminal device), by transmitting a “system information” including “resource pool information”, which contains a slot/symbol index, and a resource block (RB) including a start point and an end point for PSFCH transmissions/receptions. See also, para[0202] gNB may configure a PSFCH resource pool to the “reception UE” (RX-UE) via system information and RRC configuration) attempting to transmit a PSFCH (i.e., RX-UE (i.e., first terminal device)) transmitting ACK/NACK via PSFCH) over the first number of slots (i.e., over the allocated slots for PSFCH transmission) in response to reception of a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH). (i.e., after receiving PSSCH from another UE it transmits PSFCH) (Ryu: See Fig. 8A, Fig. 4/5, and para[0178]-[0181] for the reception UE(RX-UE) (i.e., first terminal device) may transmit ACK/NACK via PSFCH to the transmission UE(TX-UE) after it receives SL data on PSSCH from the transmission UE(TX-UE)) Ryu does not explicitly disclose configuration information including two starting symbols for PSSCH transmission in a slot, as understood by: wherein the configuration information further comprises information indicating two start symbols for the PSSCH transmission within a slot. However, in a similar field, Deng in para[0092] and Fig.2, teaches a UE can be configured by Base Station (BS) with “sidelink time resource block” (STRB) starting positions, wherein the starting positions may be symbol 0 and symbol 7. See also, para[0107] for UE configuration includes “start symbol” and “number of symbols” for the PSSCH transmission instances in each slot. Ryu teaches resource allocation methods for sidelink communication between different UE(s) by transmitting a “system information” that includes “resource pool information” for PSFCH transmissions. (See Figures 4, and para[0128]-[0136]) Deng teaches techniques related to a UE being configured by a Base Station (BS) with “sidelink time resource block” (STRB) starting positions, wherein the starting positions may be symbol 0 and symbol 7, and wherein configuration includes “start symbol” and “number of symbols” for PSSCH transmission instances in each slot. (Deng: See para[0092] and para[0107]) It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the time of effective filing to have included sidelink configuration techniques, as taught by Deng, with the teachings of Ryu, in order to benefit from enhancements of having a UE configuration that includes “start symbols” in a slot that are used for PSSCH transmission by UE. (Deng: See Fig. 2, para[0092] and para[0107]) Claim 44. The method of claim 43, wherein the attempting to transmit the PSFCH comprises: attempting to transmit the PSFCH in the slot within the first number of slots in response to the reception of the PSSCH. (Ryu: See Fig. 11, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, and para[0178]-[0181] the reception UE (RX-UE) (i.e., first terminal device) may transmit ACK/NACK via PSFCH to the transmission UE (TX-UE) after it receives SL data on PSSCH from the transmitting UE) Claim 47. A method performed by a second terminal device (i.e., transmission UE (TX-UE)), the method comprising: receiving a configuration information (i.e., Fig. 4 & Fig. 5, a transmission UE (TX-UE) (i.e., a second terminal device), receiving “resource pool information” from gNB) comprising first information indicating a first number of slots for a physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) reception; (i.e., the “resource pool information” includes a slot/symbol index and resources to be used for PSFCH transmissions/reception) and (Ryu: See Figures 4, and para[0128]-[0136] gNB, via “system information”, configures a transmission UE (TX-UE)(i.e., a second terminal device), by transmitting a “system information” to them that includes “resource pool information”, including a slot/symbol index, or a resource block (RB), that has a start point and end point for PSFCH transmissions/receptions. See also, para[0204] gNB allocated resources for PSFCH to the transmission UE (TX-UE)(i.e., second terminal device) to be used for receiving PSFCH) receiving a PSFCH (i.e., receiving ACK/NACK via PSFCH from first terminal device) on the first number of slots (i.e., over allocated slots for PSFCH reception) in response to a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH) transmission. (i.e., after receiving PSSCH from another UE) (Ryu: See Fig. 4/5, and para[0178]-[0181] for the reception UE (i.e., first terminal device) may transmit ACK/NACK via PSFCH to the transmission UE (TX-UE)(i.e., second terminal device) after it receives SL data on PSSCH from the transmitting UE (TX-UE)(i.e., second terminal device)) Ryu does not explicitly disclose configuration information includes two starting symbols for PSSCH transmission in a slot, as understood by: wherein the configuration information further comprises information indicating two start symbols for the PSSCH transmission within a slot. However, in a similar field, Deng in para[0092] and Fig.2, teaches a UE can be configured by Base Station (BS) with “sidelink time resource block” (STRB) starting positions, wherein the starting positions may be symbol 0 and symbol 7. See also, para[0107] for UE configuration includes “start symbol” and “number of symbols” for the PSSCH transmission instances in each slot. Ryu teaches resource allocation methods for sidelink communication between different UE(s) by transmitting a “system information” that includes “resource pool information” for PSFCH transmissions. (See Figures 4, and para[0128]-[0136]) Deng teaches techniques related to a UE being configured by a Base Station (BS) with “sidelink time resource block” (STRB) starting positions, wherein the starting positions may be symbol 0 and symbol 7, and wherein configuration includes “start symbol” and “number of symbols” for PSSCH transmission instances in each slot. (Deng: See para[0092] and para[0107]) It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the time of effective filing to have included sidelink configuration techniques, as taught by Deng, with the teachings of Ryu, in order to benefit from enhancements of having a UE configuration that includes “start symbols” in a slot that are used for PSSCH transmission by UE. (Deng: See Fig. 2, para[0092] and para[0107]) Claim 49. A first terminal device (i.e., reception-UE (RX-UE)) comprising a processor configured to cause the first terminal device to: receive a configuration information (i.e., Fig. 4 & Fig. 5, reception-UE (RX-UE) receiving “resource pool information” from gNB) comprising first information indicating a first number of slots for a physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) transmission; (i.e., the “resource pool information” includes a resource slot/symbol index for PSFCH transmissions/reception) and (Ryu: See Figures 4, and para[0128]-[0136] gNB, via “system information”, configures a “reception UE” (RX-UE) (i.e., first terminal device), by transmitting a “system information” including “resource pool information”, which contains a slot/symbol index, and a resource block (RB) including a start point and an end point for PSFCH transmissions/receptions. See also, para[0202] gNB may configure a PSFCH resource pool to the “reception UE” (RX-UE) via system information and RRC configuration) attempt to transmit a PSFCH (i.e., RX-UE (i.e., first terminal device)) transmitting ACK/NACK via PSFCH) in a slot within the first number of slots (i.e., over allocated slots for PSFCH transmission) in response to reception of a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH). (i.e., after receiving PSSCH from another UE) (Ryu: See Fig. 8A, Fig. 4/5, and para[0178]-[0181] for the reception UE(RX-UE) (i.e., first terminal device) may transmit ACK/NACK via PSFCH to the transmission UE(TX-UE) after it receives SL data on PSSCH from the transmission UE(TX-UE)) Ryu does not explicitly disclose configuration information including two starting symbols for PSSCH transmission in a slot, as understood by: wherein the configuration information further comprises information indicating two start symbols for the PSSCH transmission within a slot. However, in a similar field, Deng in para[0092] and Fig.2, teaches a UE can be configured by Base Station (BS) with “sidelink time resource block” (STRB) starting positions, wherein the starting positions may be symbol 0 and symbol 7. See also, para[0107] for UE configuration includes “start symbol” and “number of symbols” for the PSSCH transmission instances in each slot. Ryu teaches resource allocation methods for sidelink communication between different UE(s) by transmitting a “system information” that includes “resource pool information” for PSFCH transmissions. (See Figures 4, and para[0128]-[0136]) Deng teaches techniques related to a UE being configured by a Base Station (BS) with “sidelink time resource block” (STRB) starting positions, wherein the starting positions may be symbol 0 and symbol 7, and wherein configuration includes “start symbol” and “number of symbols” for PSSCH transmission instances in each slot. (Deng: See para[0092] and para[0107]) It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the time of effective filing to have included sidelink configuration techniques, as taught by Deng, with the teachings of Ryu, in order to benefit from enhancements of having a UE configuration that includes “start symbols” in a slot that are used for PSSCH transmission by UE. (Deng: See Fig. 2, para[0092] and para[0107]) Claim 50. The first terminal device of claim 49, wherein the processor is configured to cause the first terminal device to attempt to transmit the PSFCH by attempting to transmit the PSFCH in the slot within the first number of slots in response to the reception of PSSCH. (Ryu: See Fig. 4/5, and para[0178]-[0181] for the reception UE (i.e., first terminal device) may transmit ACK/NACK via PSFCH to the transmission UE after it receives SL data on PSSCH from the transmitting UE) Claim 53. A second terminal device (i.e., transmission UE (TX-UE)) comprising a processor (Ryu: See Fig. 24, #2420 controller) configured to cause the second first terminal device (i.e., para[0149], to cause RX-UE (i.e., the first terminal device) to receive resources from gNB) to: receive a configuration information (i.e., Fig. 4 & Fig. 5, reception-UE (RX-UE) receiving “resource pool information” from gNB) comprising first information indicating a first number of slots for a physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) reception; (i.e., the “resource pool information” includes a slot/symbol index and resources to be used for PSFCH transmissions/reception) and (Ryu: See Fig. 4, Fig. 5, and para[0128]-[0136] gNB, via “system information”, configures a “reception UE” (RX-UE) (i.e., first terminal device), by transmitting a “system information” including “resource pool information”, which contains a slot/symbol index, and a resource block (RB) including a start point and an end point for PSFCH transmissions/receptions. See also, para[0202] gNB may configure a PSFCH resource pool to the “reception UE” (RX-UE) via system information and RRC configuration. See para[0149] for ) receive a PSFCH (i.e., ACK/NACK via PSFCH for SL data) on the first number of slots (i.e., allocated slots for PSFCH transmission/reception) in response to a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH) transmission. (i.e., after receiving PSSCH from another UE) (Ryu: See Fig. 4/5, and para[0178]-[0181] for the reception UE (i.e., first terminal device) may transmit ACK/NACK via PSFCH to the transmission UE after it receives SL data on PSSCH from the transmitting UE) Ryu does not explicitly disclose configuration information including two starting symbols for PSSCH transmission in a slot, as understood by: wherein the configuration information further comprises information indicating two start symbols for the PSSCH transmission within a slot. However, in a similar field, Deng in para[0092] and Fig.2, teaches a UE can be configured by Base Station (BS) with “sidelink time resource block” (STRB) starting positions, wherein the starting positions may be symbol 0 and symbol 7. See also, para[0107] for UE configuration includes “start symbol” and “number of symbols” for the PSSCH transmission instances in each slot. Ryu teaches resource allocation methods for sidelink communication between different UE(s) by transmitting a “system information” that includes “resource pool information” for PSFCH transmissions. (See Figures 4, and para[0128]-[0136]) Deng teaches techniques related to a UE being configured by a Base Station (BS) with “sidelink time resource block” (STRB) starting positions, wherein the starting positions may be symbol 0 and symbol 7, and wherein configuration includes “start symbol” and “number of symbols” for PSSCH transmission instances in each slot. (Deng: See para[0092] and para[0107]) It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the time of effective filing to have included sidelink configuration techniques, as taught by Deng, with the teachings of Ryu, in order to benefit from enhancements of having a UE configuration that includes “start symbols” in a slot that are used for PSSCH transmission by UE. (Deng: See Fig. 2, para[0092] and para[0107]) Claim 55. The method of claim 43, wherein the two start symbols within the slot are symbol 0 and symbol 7. (Deng: UE can be configured by Base Station (BS) with “sidelink time resource block” (STRB) starting positions, wherein the starting positions may be symbol 0 and symbol 7) (Deng: See para[0092] and Fig. 2) Ryu teaches resource allocation methods for sidelink communication between different UE(s) by transmitting a “system information” that includes “resource pool information” for PSFCH transmissions. (See Figures 4, and para[0128]-[0136]) Deng teaches techniques related to a UE being configured by a Base Station (BS) with “sidelink time resource block” (STRB) starting positions, wherein the starting positions may be symbol 0 and symbol 7, and wherein configuration includes “start symbol” and “number of symbols” for PSSCH transmission instances in each slot. (Deng: See para[0092] and para[0107]) It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the time of effective filing to have included sidelink configuration techniques, as taught by Deng, with the teachings of Ryu, in order to benefit from enhancements of having a UE configuration that includes “start symbols” in a slot that are used for PSSCH transmission by UE. (Deng: See Fig. 2, para[0092] and para[0107]) Claim 56. The method of claim 47, wherein the two start symbols within the slot are symbol 0 and symbol 7. (Deng: UE can be configured by Base Station (BS) with “sidelink time resource block” (STRB) starting positions, wherein the starting positions may be symbol 0 and symbol 7) (Deng: See para[0092] and Fig. 2) Ryu teaches resource allocation methods for sidelink communication between different UE(s) by transmitting a “system information” that includes “resource pool information” for PSFCH transmissions. (See Figures 4, and para[0128]-[0136]) Deng teaches techniques related to a UE being configured by a Base Station (BS) with “sidelink time resource block” (STRB) starting positions, wherein the starting positions may be symbol 0 and symbol 7, and wherein configuration includes “start symbol” and “number of symbols” for PSSCH transmission instances in each slot. (Deng: See para[0092] and para[0107]) It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the time of effective filing to have included sidelink configuration techniques, as taught by Deng, with the teachings of Ryu, in order to benefit from enhancements of having a UE configuration that includes “start symbols” in a slot that are used for PSSCH transmission by UE. (Deng: See Fig. 2, para[0092] and para[0107]) Claim 57. The first terminal device of claim 49, wherein the two start symbols within the slot are symbol 0 and symbol 7. (Deng: UE can be configured by Base Station (BS) with “sidelink time resource block” (STRB) starting positions, wherein the starting positions may be symbol 0 and symbol 7) (Deng: See para[0092] and Fig. 2) Ryu teaches resource allocation methods for sidelink communication between different UE(s) by transmitting a “system information” that includes “resource pool information” for PSFCH transmissions. (See Figures 4, and para[0128]-[0136]) Deng teaches techniques related to a UE being configured by a Base Station (BS) with “sidelink time resource block” (STRB) starting positions, wherein the starting positions may be symbol 0 and symbol 7, and wherein configuration includes “start symbol” and “number of symbols” for PSSCH transmission instances in each slot. (Deng: See para[0092] and para[0107]) It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the time of effective filing to have included sidelink configuration techniques, as taught by Deng, with the teachings of Ryu, in order to benefit from enhancements of having a UE configuration that includes “start symbols” in a slot that are used for PSSCH transmission by UE. (Deng: See Fig. 2, para[0092] and para[0107]) Claim 58. The second terminal device of claim 53, wherein the two start symbols within the slot are symbol 0 and symbol 7. (Deng: UE can be configured by Base Station (BS) with “sidelink time resource block” (STRB) starting positions, wherein the starting positions may be symbol 0 and symbol 7) (Deng: See para[0092] and Fig. 2) Ryu teaches resource allocation methods for sidelink communication between different UE(s) by transmitting a “system information” that includes “resource pool information” for PSFCH transmissions. (See Figures 4, and para[0128]-[0136]) Deng teaches techniques related to a UE being configured by a Base Station (BS) with “sidelink time resource block” (STRB) starting positions, wherein the starting positions may be symbol 0 and symbol 7, and wherein configuration includes “start symbol” and “number of symbols” for PSSCH transmission instances in each slot. (Deng: See para[0092] and para[0107]) It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the time of effective filing to have included sidelink configuration techniques, as taught by Deng, with the teachings of Ryu, in order to benefit from enhancements of having a UE configuration that includes “start symbols” in a slot that are used for PSSCH transmission by UE. (Deng: See Fig. 2, para[0092] and para[0107]) Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 6. 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 set forth in Graham v. John Deere Co., 383 U.S. 1, 148 USPQ 459 (1966), that are applied 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. Claims 45 and 51 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over US 20200351033 A1 to Ryu et al., (hereinafter Ryu) in view of US 20210176735 A1 to Deng et al., (hereinafter Deng) and in further view of US 20230328784 A1 to Lei et al., (hereinafter Lei). Claim 45. Ryu in view of Deng teaches the method of claim 43, however, it does not seem to explicitly disclose that UE performs a channel access before and prior to transmitting PSFCH, as understood by: wherein the attempting to transmit the PSFCH comprises: performing a channel access procedure before transmitting the PSFCH. However, in a similar field, Lei, in para[0031] teaches UE determines a type of channel access it needs to perform for transmitting PSFCH, such as channel access type 2, and then transmits the PSFCH to another UE. (Lei: See Fig. 5B and para[0031]) Ryu teaches resource allocation methods for sidelink communication between different UE(s) by transmitting a “system information” that includes “resource pool information” for PSFCH transmissions. (See Figures 4, and para[0128]-[0136]) Deng teaches techniques related to a UE being configured by a Base Station (BS) with “sidelink time resource block” (STRB) starting positions, wherein the starting positions may be symbol 0 and symbol 7, and wherein configuration includes “start symbol” and “number of symbols” for PSSCH transmission instances in each slot. (Deng: See para[0092] and para[0107]) Lei teaches methods for sidelink burst transmissions wherein a UE first determines a channel access type it has to perform, such as channel access type 2, and then transmits the PSFCH to another UE. (Lei: See Fig. 5B and para[0031]) It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the time of effective filing to have included channel access procedure performed by a UE, as taught by Lei, with the teachings of Ryu in view of Deng, in order to benefit from enhancements of having a UE that is capable of performing channel access procedure prior to transmission of PSFCH to another UE. (Lei: See Fig. 5B and para[0031]) Claim 51. Ryu in view of Deng teaches the first terminal device of claim 49, however, it does not seem to explicitly disclose that UE performs a channel access before and prior to transmitting PSFCH, as understood by: wherein the processor is configured to cause the first terminal device to attempt to transmit the PSFCH by performing a channel access procedure before transmitting the PSFCH. However, in a similar field, Lei, in para[0031] teaches UE determines a type of channel access it needs to perform for transmitting PSFCH, such as channel access type 2, and then transmits the PSFCH to another UE. (Lei: See Fig. 5B and para[0031]) Ryu teaches resource allocation methods for sidelink communication between different UE(s) by transmitting a “system information” that includes “resource pool information” for PSFCH transmissions. (See Figures 4, and para[0128]-[0136]) Deng teaches techniques related to a UE being configured by a Base Station (BS) with “sidelink time resource block” (STRB) starting positions, wherein the starting positions may be symbol 0 and symbol 7, and wherein configuration includes “start symbol” and “number of symbols” for PSSCH transmission instances in each slot. (Deng: See para[0092] and para[0107]) Lei teaches methods for sidelink burst transmissions wherein a UE first determines a channel access type it has to perform, such as channel access type 2, and then transmits the PSFCH to another UE. (Lei: See Fig. 5B and para[0031]) It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the time of effective filing to have included channel access procedure performed by a UE, as taught by Lei, with the teachings of Ryu in view of Deng, in order to benefit from enhancements of having a UE that is capable of performing channel access procedure prior to transmission of PSFCH to another UE. (Lei: See Fig. 5B and para[0031]) Conclusion 8. Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a). A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any extension fee 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 date of this final action. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to MAJID ESMAEILIAN whose telephone number is (571)270-7830. The examiner can normally be reached on M-F. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Chirag Shah can be reached on 571-272-3144. 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. /M. E./ Examiner, Art Unit 2477 /GREGORY B SEFCHECK/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2477
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Prosecution Timeline

Jan 22, 2024
Application Filed
Mar 27, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103
Jul 14, 2026
Response Filed
Sep 21, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §103 (current)

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Prosecution Projections

3-4
Expected OA Rounds
76%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+24.0%)
3y 9m (~1y 1m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
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