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 .
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement submitted on 12/09/2025, have been considered by the examiner and made of record in the application file.
Response to Amendment
This Office Action is in response to applicant’s amendment submitted on December 9, 2025.
Claims, 1-20 are now currently pending in the present application.
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 non-obviousness.
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 1-20 are rejected under U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable by ZHANG et
al. (US 2020/0236573 Al , hereinafter ZHANG) in view of Stasiowski et al. (US 2024/0044651 A1, hereinafter Stasiowski).
Consider CLAIM 1, ZHANG discloses a device, comprising:
a processing system including a processor; and (paragraph 0008, a device in a wireless communication system is further provided. The device includes processing
circuitry configured to: perform a measurement according to measurement and report configuration related information from a base station).
a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations, the operations comprising: (Paragraph 267, In FIG. 22, a central processing unit (CPU) 2101 performs various types of processing according to programs stored in a read only memory (ROM) 2102 or programs loaded from a storage portion 2208 to a random access memory (RAM) 2203).
ZHANG discloses the claim invention identifying a plurality of cells that are located within a threshold distance from one or more points of a planned flight trajectory of an aerial user equipment (UE), but fails to teach wherein the plurality of cells includes a subset of cells located within a threshold distance of a restricted area;
However, Stasiowski teaches (paragraph 0040, the above zone indicator tags can be all collectively or in subsets merged into single values to represent a combined risk for the UAV in that area of the 3D map data 160 that can be considered by the system 100 during a route calculation, as described herein. Paragraph 0049, multiple user devices, each capable of a subset of one or more of the above or additional functions, are in communication with the UAV 102 and navigation module 152 for the purposes of accomplishing the various technological features of the user device as described herein. Paragraph 0013, the plurality of potential routes is generated according to at least one route constraint criterion comprising at least one of: a collision safety buffer, a total route distance or time, a maximum altitude, at least one geofenced no-fly zone, a remaining battery life of the UAV, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the at least one route assessment criterion comprises at least one of: a total route distance or time, a minimum altitude change, a maximum altitude, a duration of travel time spent above a predetermined altitude threshold).
ZHANG discloses the claim invention determining, for each cell of the plurality of cells, a height threshold previously defined for that cell, resulting in a plurality of height thresholds, but fails to teach wherein the subset of cells create a geofence by adjusting their height thresholds to values below a minimum supported altitude for the aerial UE.
However, Stasiowski teaches (paragraph 0040, The zone indicator tags represent other considerations useful for navigating a UAV through or around certain regions of the 3D map data 160. In some embodiments, these zone indicator tags can include, but are not limited to, geofenced no-fly zones, drop-off or landing zones, collision risk indicators, weather risk indicators, environment risk indicators, or a combination thereof. For example, a geofenced no-fly zone indicator tag can inform the navigation module during its calculations as discussed below, that the UAV should not enter that area (e.g., the area marks an airport where it is hazardous to fly a UAV). A geofenced no-fly zone can also set an altitude maximum in some embodiments, meaning that a UAV is allowed to fly within a certain region as long as it remains beneath a predetermined altitude. Paragraph 0013, the plurality of potential routes is generated according to at least one route constraint criterion comprising at least one of: a collision safety buffer, a total route distance or time, a maximum altitude, at least one geofenced no-fly zone, a remaining battery life of the UAV, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the at least one route assessment criterion comprises at least one of: a total route distance or time, a minimum altitude change, a maximum altitude, a duration of travel time spent above a predetermined altitude threshold).
for each of one or more altitudes or one or more altitude time series, estimating a number of handovers or a frequency of handovers that might be triggered for the aerial UE due to height- based handover events along the planned flight trajectory, wherein the estimating is based on the plurality of height thresholds; (Paragraph 0103, acquiring a target cell handover sequence of the user equipment according to the mobility history report of the user equipment; notifying the target cell handover sequence to the user equipment and the succeeding target cell, and configuring the user equipment to perform a measurement for only the current serving cell and the succeeding target cell; Paragraph 0107, in FIG 8A and 8B, the measurement report from the unmanned aerial vehicle UAV and the handover request to the target base station preferably further include geographical location information (including height information, latitude and longitude, etc.) of the unmanned aerial vehicle, in order for the current serving base station to: determine whether the flight trajectory of the unmanned aerial vehicle deviates from the historical flight trajectory, and in the case of deviating from the historical flight trajectory, perform a measurement and report a configuration in order for the target base station to determine whether to allow the unmanned aerial vehicle to access and perform a time-frequency resource allocation on the unmanned aerial vehicle, etc.).
ZHANG discloses the claim invention based on the estimating, selecting a particular altitude for the aerial UE from the one or more altitudes or selecting a particular altitude time series for the aerial UE from the one or more altitude time series, but fails to teach resulting in a selection, wherein the selection avoids the restricted area as defined by the geofence.
However, Stasiowski teaches (paragraph 0040, a geofenced no-fly zone, in some embodiments, can be a temporary or permanent. In various embodiments, geofenced no-fly zones can be incorporated automatically from Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) messages or Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR) from relevant aviation and government authorities. A drop-off or landing zone indicator tag can inform the navigation module of an area predetermined as safe to drop-off materials (e.g., a package for delivery, supplies, a life vest, etc.) or on which to land).
causing the aerial UE to conduct a flight in accordance with the selection. (Paragraph 0087, in FIG. 5, it is assumed that an unmanned aerial vehicle UAV is flying in a moving direction (a due east direction) shown in FIG. 5. Paragraph 0162, in a case that the flight state of the user equipment changes, making a request to the base station to trigger the base station to update the range of measured cells for the user equipment).
Consider CLAIM 2, ZHANG discloses the device of claim 1, wherein the particular altitude is an optimum altitude that yields the least number of handovers or the most infrequent handovers due to height-based handover events. (Paragraph 0063, Since the unmanned aerial vehicle can fly in the air (the flight height is much higher than a conventional UE on the ground) and the flight speed can reach 100 km/h, and a coverage radius of a general macro cell is about 1 km to 30 km, handover of the unmanned aerial vehicle in accordance with the above-mentioned traditional handover procedure of the UE may cause the problem that the unmanned aerial vehicle frequently performs the handover, making the traditional handover procedure very inefficient).
Consider CLAIM 3, ZHANG discloses the device of claim 1, wherein the particular altitude time series is an optimum altitude time series that yields the least number of handovers or the most infrequent handovers due to height-based handover events. (Paragraph 0085, for the unmanned aerial vehicle in the flying mode, as the flight height increases, the flight speed is faster, and the range of measured cells is larger, which increases a measurement load of the unmanned aerial vehicle to some extent. Therefore, in order to reduce the measurement load of the unmanned aerial vehicle while reducing the frequent handover, other factors may be considered to narrow the determined range of measured cells).
Consider CLAIM 4, ZHANG discloses the device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cells are each capable of supporting aerial UE operations, wherein each cell of the plurality of cells has a defined height threshold that is transmitted to the aerial UE during initial attachment or handover, and wherein that defined height threshold indicates an altitude threshold that the aerial UE should use to conduct altitude-based reporting to that cell. (Paragraph 0137, , the reporting unit 904 may be configured to include measurement results of cells satisfying a report condition in a message "Measurement Report" to be reported to the base station. After receiving the measurement results, the base station performs, for example, a handover decision, including whether to perform a handover and selection of a handover target cell).
Consider CLAIM 5, ZHANG discloses the device of claim 1, wherein the one or more altitudes are constant altitudes for a duration of a flight of the aerial UE, and wherein, as a result of the aerial UE conducting altitude-based reporting to a serving cell, the serving cell either mandates the aerial UE to lower an altitude of the aerial UE or mandate a handover of the aerial UE to a neighboring cell. (Paragraph 0138, the reporting unit 904 may be further configured to report one or more of height information, geographical location information, flight speed information and flight direction information related to the user equipment to the base station in order for the base station to determine the range of measured cells).
Consider CLAIM 6, ZHANG discloses he device of claim 1, wherein the one or more altitude times series each includes a sequence of altitudes values that the aerial UE may assume or fly at during a flight of the aerial UE. (Paragraph 0193, the generating unit 1202 may determine values of the parameters in the measurement and report configuration in real time according to the height information of the user equipment, and include the determined values in the measurement and report configuration related information to be notified to the user equipment).
Consider CLAIM 7, ZHANG discloses the device of claim 1, wherein the planned flight trajectory includes one or more parameters that identify a certain altitude for the aerial UE to assume or fly at, and wherein the certain altitude is associated with a particular number of handovers or a particular frequency of handovers that is greater than a number of handovers or a frequency of handovers that is associated with the selection. (Paragraph 0106, in FIG. 8B, since the unmanned aerial vehicle UAV has known the subsequent target cell handover sequence, after the handover to the base station eNB2, the base station eNB2 does not need to perform a measurement configuration on the unmanned aerial vehicle UAV, and the unmanned aerial vehicle UAV will perform a measurement on the current serving base station eNB2 and the succeeding target base station eNB3 according to the target cell handover sequence).
Consider CLAIM 8, ZHANG discloses the device of claim 1, wherein the estimating is performed using one or more heuristic models, and wherein the heuristic models are configured to predict a number of handover events that need to be performed for the aerial UE to comply with a height threshold of each cell of the plurality of cells based on a projected aerial UE altitude. (Paragraph 0097, if the predicted flight trajectory is highly consistent with the historical flight trajectory, a future target cell handover sequence should also be the same as a historical target cell handover sequence since the arrangement of the cell base station is also relatively fixed).
Consider CLAIM 9, ZHANG discloses the device of claim 1, wherein the causing comprises instructing a serving cell of the aerial UE or a ground station associated with the aerial UE to command the aerial UE to fly in accordance with the selection. (Paragraph 0152, If the predicted flight trajectory is highly consistent with the historical flight trajectory, a future target cell handover sequence should also be the same as a historical target cell handover sequence since the arrangement of the cell base station is also relatively fixed).
Consider CLAIM 10, ZHANG discloses the device of claim 1, wherein the flight in accordance with the selection results in reduced signaling overhead as well as reduced battery power consumption for the aerial UE, thereby improving network performance and aerial UE operational efficiency. (Paragraph 0088, If the predicted flight trajectory is highly consistent with the historical flight trajectory, a future target cell handover sequence should also be the same as a historical target cell handover sequence since the arrangement of the cell base station is also relatively fixed).
Consider CLAIM 11, ZHANG discloses a non-transitory machine-readable medium, comprising executable instructions that, when executed by a processing system including a processor, facilitate performance of operations, the operations comprising:
ZHANG discloses the claim invention identifying a plurality of cells that are located within a determined vicinity of a planned flight trajectory of an aerial user equipment (UE) but fails to teach wherein the plurality of cells includes a subset of cells located within a threshold distance of a restricted area.
However, Stasiowski teaches (paragraph 0040, the above zone indicator tags can be all collectively or in subsets merged into single values to represent a combined risk for the UAV in that area of the 3D map data 160 that can be considered by the system 100 during a route calculation, as described herein. Paragraph 0049, multiple user devices, each capable of a subset of one or more of the above or additional functions, are in communication with the UAV 102 and navigation module 152 for the purposes of accomplishing the various technological features of the user device as described herein. Paragraph 0013, the plurality of potential routes is generated according to at least one route constraint criterion comprising at least one of: a collision safety buffer, a total route distance or time, a maximum altitude, at least one geofenced no-fly zone, a remaining battery life of the UAV, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the at least one route assessment criterion comprises at least one of: a total route distance or time, a minimum altitude change, a maximum altitude, a duration of travel time spent above a predetermined altitude threshold).
ZHANG discloses the claim invention obtaining, for each cell of the plurality of cells, a height threshold defined for that cell, resulting in a plurality of height thresholds but fails to teach wherein the subset of cells create a geofence by adjusting their height thresholds to values below a minimum supported altitude for the aerial UE.
However, Stasiowski teaches (paragraph 0040, The zone indicator tags represent other considerations useful for navigating a UAV through or around certain regions of the 3D map data 160. In some embodiments, these zone indicator tags can include, but are not limited to, geofenced no-fly zones, drop-off or landing zones, collision risk indicators, weather risk indicators, environment risk indicators, or a combination thereof. For example, a geofenced no-fly zone indicator tag can inform the navigation module during its calculations as discussed below, that the UAV should not enter that area (e.g., the area marks an airport where it is hazardous to fly a UAV). A geofenced no-fly zone can also set an altitude maximum in some embodiments, meaning that a UAV is allowed to fly within a certain region as long as it remains beneath a predetermined altitude. Paragraph 0013, the plurality of potential routes is generated according to at least one route constraint criterion comprising at least one of: a collision safety buffer, a total route distance or time, a maximum altitude, at least one geofenced no-fly zone, a remaining battery life of the UAV, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the at least one route assessment criterion comprises at least one of: a total route distance or time, a minimum altitude change, a maximum altitude, a duration of travel time spent above a predetermined altitude threshold).
for each of one or more constant altitudes, determining a number of handovers or a frequency of handovers that might be triggered for the aerial UE due to height-based handover events along the planned flight trajectory, wherein the determining is based on the plurality of height thresholds; (Paragraph 0103, acquiring a target cell handover sequence of the user equipment according to the mobility history report of the user equipment; notifying the target cell handover sequence to the user equipment and the succeeding target cell, and configuring the user equipment to perform a measurement for only the current serving cell and the succeeding target cell; Paragraph 0107, in FIG 8A and 8B, the measurement report from the unmanned aerial vehicle UAV and the handover request to the target base station preferably further include geographical location information (including height information, latitude and longitude, etc.) of the unmanned aerial vehicle, in order for the current serving base station to: determine whether the flight trajectory of the unmanned aerial vehicle deviates from the historical flight trajectory, and in the case of deviating from the historical flight trajectory, perform a measurement and report a configuration in order for the target base station to determine whether to allow the unmanned aerial vehicle to access and perform a time-frequency resource allocation on the unmanned aerial vehicle, etc.).
ZHANG discloses the claim invention based on the determining, choosing a particular constant altitude for the aerial UE from the one or more constant altitudes but fails to teach wherein the particular constant altitude limits connectivity to the subset of cells within the restricted area as defined by the geofence.
However, Stasiowski teaches (paragraph 0040, a geofenced no-fly zone, in some embodiments, can be a temporary or permanent. In various embodiments, geofenced no-fly zones can be incorporated automatically from Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) messages or Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR) from relevant aviation and government authorities. A drop-off or landing zone indicator tag can inform the navigation module of an area predetermined as safe to drop-off materials (e.g., a package for delivery, supplies, a life vest, etc.) or on which to land).
causing the aerial UE to operate according to the particular constant altitude. (Paragraph 0087, in FIG. 5, it is assumed that an unmanned aerial vehicle UAV is flying in a moving direction (a due east direction) shown in FIG. 5. Paragraph 0162, in a case that the flight state of the user equipment changes, making a request to the base station to trigger the base station to update the range of measured cells for the user equipment).
Consider CLAIM 12, ZHANG discloses the non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the planned flight trajectory includes one or more parameters that identify a certain altitude for the aerial UE to assume or fly at, and wherein the certain altitude is associated with a particular number of handovers or a particular frequency of handovers that is greater than a number of handovers or a frequency of handovers that is associated with the particular constant altitude. (Paragraph 0113, in the case of determining that the current flight trajectory deviates from the historical flight trajectory, determine the range of measured cells according to the height information included in the geographical location information, and instruct the unmanned aerial vehicle to perform the traditional handover procedure according to the determined range of measured cells).
Consider CLAIM 13, ZHANG discloses the non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the determining is performed using one or more heuristic models. (Paragraph 0117, if there is PCI multiplexing between these cells, resulting in PCI or CRS collision, the unmanned aerial vehicle cannot obtain accurate measurement results for the cells of which PC is or CRSs contradict with each other, which may result in handover failure).
Consider CLAIM 14, ZHANG discloses the non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the causing comprises instructing a serving cell of the aerial UE or a ground station associated with the aerial UE to command the aerial UE to fly at the particular constant altitude. (Paragraph 0075, the operation mode in the case that the unmanned aerial vehicle flies at a height above the certain height threshold is referred to as a "flying mode". a height threshold that is predetermined and is used for determining whether the unmanned aerial vehicle is in the flying mode. In other words, different ranges of measured cells may be configured for different operation modes of the unmanned aerial vehicle).
Consider CLAIM 15, ZHANG discloses the non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 11, wherein operating the aerial UE according to the particular constant altitude results in reduced signaling overhead as well as reduced battery power consumption for the aerial UE, thereby improving network performance and aerial UE operational efficiency. (Paragraph 0003, if the unmanned aerial vehicle is connected to the current LTE network, it will definitely help to enhance the application of the unmanned aerial vehicle in these scenarios. Paragraph 0059, the "unmanned aerial vehicle communication capability" herein refers to an ability of a user equipment to access an LTE network for communication while flying in the air).
Consider CLAIM 16 ZHANG discloses the claim invention a method, comprising:
identifying, by a processing system including a processor, a plurality of cells that are located within a threshold distance from one or more points of a planned flight trajectory of an aerial user equipment (UE) ,wherein the plurality of cells includes a subset of cells located within a threshold distance of a restricted area;
However, Stasiowski teaches (paragraph 0040, the above zone indicator tags can be all collectively or in subsets merged into single values to represent a combined risk for the UAV in that area of the 3D map data 160 that can be considered by the system 100 during a route calculation, as described herein. Paragraph 0049, multiple user devices, each capable of a subset of one or more of the above or additional functions, are in communication with the UAV 102 and navigation module 152 for the purposes of accomplishing the various technological features of the user device as described herein. Paragraph 0013, the plurality of potential routes is generated according to at least one route constraint criterion comprising at least one of: a collision safety buffer, a total route distance or time, a maximum altitude, at least one geofenced no-fly zone, a remaining battery life of the UAV, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the at least one route assessment criterion comprises at least one of: a total route distance or time, a minimum altitude change, a maximum altitude, a duration of travel time spent above a predetermined altitude threshold).
ZHANG discloses the claim invention determining, by the processing system and for each cell of the plurality of cells, a height threshold defined for that cell, resulting in a plurality of height thresholds, wherein the subset of cells create a geofence by adjusting their height thresholds to values below a minimum supported altitude for the aerial UE;
However, Stasiowski teaches (paragraph 0040, The zone indicator tags represent other considerations useful for navigating a UAV through or around certain regions of the 3D map data 160. In some embodiments, these zone indicator tags can include, but are not limited to, geofenced no-fly zones, drop-off or landing zones, collision risk indicators, weather risk indicators, environment risk indicators, or a combination thereof. For example, a geofenced no-fly zone indicator tag can inform the navigation module during its calculations as discussed below, that the UAV should not enter that area (e.g., the area marks an airport where it is hazardous to fly a UAV). A geofenced no-fly zone can also set an altitude maximum in some embodiments, meaning that a UAV is allowed to fly within a certain region as long as it remains beneath a predetermined altitude. Paragraph 0013, the plurality of potential routes is generated according to at least one route constraint criterion comprising at least one of: a collision safety buffer, a total route distance or time, a maximum altitude, at least one geofenced no-fly zone, a remaining battery life of the UAV, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the at least one route assessment criterion comprises at least one of: a total route distance or time, a minimum altitude change, a maximum altitude, a duration of travel time spent above a predetermined altitude threshold).
for each of one or more altitude time series, estimating, by the processing system, a number of handovers or a frequency of handovers that might be triggered for the aerial UE due to height- based handover events along the planned flight trajectory, wherein the estimating is based on the plurality of height thresholds; (Paragraph 0103, acquiring a target cell handover sequence of the user equipment according to the mobility history report of the user equipment; notifying the target cell handover sequence to the user equipment and the succeeding target cell, and configuring the user equipment to perform a measurement for only the current serving cell and the succeeding target cell; Paragraph 0107, in FIG 8A and 8B, the measurement report from the unmanned aerial vehicle UAV and the handover request to the target base station preferably further include geographical location information (including height information, latitude and longitude, etc.) of the unmanned aerial vehicle, in order for the current serving base station to: determine whether the flight trajectory of the unmanned aerial vehicle deviates from the historical flight trajectory, and in the case of deviating from the historical flight trajectory, perform a measurement and report a configuration in order for the target base station to determine whether to allow the unmanned aerial vehicle to access and perform a time-frequency resource allocation on the unmanned aerial vehicle, etc.).
ZHANG discloses the claim invention based on the estimating, selecting, by the processing system, a particular altitude time series for the aerial UE from the one or more altitude time series, wherein the selection limits connectivity to the subset of cells within the restricted area as defined by the geofence; and
However, Stasiowski teaches (paragraph 0040, a geofenced no-fly zone, in some embodiments, can be a temporary or permanent. In various embodiments, geofenced no-fly zones can be incorporated automatically from Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) messages or Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR) from relevant aviation and government authorities. A drop-off or landing zone indicator tag can inform the navigation module of an area predetermined as safe to drop-off materials (e.g., a package for delivery, supplies, a life vest, etc.) or on which to land).
Therefore, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which said subject matter pertains, to modify Claims 1, 11 and 16 by incorporating/combining the teachings of ZHANG for changing/adjusting the flight path but does not show avoiding restrictive areas with the field of navigation and control systems, and more specifically to the field of autonomous navigation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) of Stasiowski. The motivation to do so would be to develop an expanded and improved mobile networks that offer wide area, high speed, and secure wireless connectivity, which can be leveraged to enhance the control and safety of the operations of aerial user equipment (UEs). Therefore, when the unmanned aerial vehicle is connected to the current LTE network, it will definitely help to enhance the application of the unmanned aerial vehicle in rapidly growing scenarios. Thereby, improving a device and mobile network performance of such as long term evolution, fifth generation, etc.
causing, by the processing system, the aerial UE to operate according to the particular altitude time series. (Paragraph 0087, in FIG. 5, it is assumed that an unmanned aerial vehicle UAV is flying in a moving direction (a due east direction) shown in FIG. 5. Paragraph 0162, in a case that the flight state of the user equipment changes, making a request to the base station to trigger the base station to update the range of measured cells for the user equipment).
CLAIM 17, ZHANG discloses the method of claim 16, wherein the one or more altitude times series each includes a sequence of altitudes values that the aerial UE may assume or fly at during a flight of the aerial UE. (Paragraph 0193, the generating unit 1202 may determine values of the parameters in the measurement and report configuration in real time according to the height information of the user equipment, and include the determined values in the measurement and report configuration related information to be notified to the user equipment).
Consider CLAIM 18, ZHANG discloses the method of claim 16, wherein the planned flight trajectory includes one or more parameters that identify a certain altitude for the aerial UE to assume or fly at, and wherein the certain altitude is associated with a particular number of handovers or a particular frequency of handovers that is greater than a number of handovers or a frequency of handovers that is associated with the particular altitude time series. (Paragraph 0106, in FIG. 8B, since the unmanned aerial vehicle UAV has known the subsequent target cell handover sequence, after the handover to the base station eNB2, the base station eNB2 does not need to perform a measurement configuration on the unmanned aerial vehicle UAV, and the unmanned aerial vehicle UAV will perform a measurement on the current serving base station eNB2 and the succeeding target base station eNB3 according to the target cell handover sequence).
Consider CLAIM 19, ZHANG discloses the method of claim 16, wherein the estimating is performed using one or more heuristic models. (Paragraph 0117, if there is PCI multiplexing between these cells, resulting in PCI or CRS collision, the unmanned aerial vehicle cannot obtain accurate measurement results for the cells of which PC is or CRSs contradict with each other, which may result in handover failure).
Consider CLAIM 20, ZHANG discloses the method of claim 16, wherein the aerial UE is an autonomous uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) or drone. (Paragraph 0064, to solve at least the above problem that the unmanned aerial vehicle frequently performs the handover due to the conventional configuration of the range of measured cells, a solution of configuring the range of measured cells by considering height information of the unmanned aerial vehicle is provided in the present disclosure).
Conclusion
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 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 MICHELE CAMILLE DOUGLAS whose telephone number is (571)270-0458. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday 6:30 am - 5:00 pm.
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, Matthew Anderson can be reached at 571-272-4177. 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.
/MICHELE C DOUGLAS/Examiner, Art Unit 2646
/MATTHEW D. ANDERSON/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2646