Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/436,397

Early Channel State Information Reporting

Non-Final OA §103
Filed
Feb 08, 2024
Examiner
CERLANEK, ADAM JOEL
Art Unit
2478
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
Comcast Cable Communications LLC
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
70%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
3y 4m
To Grant
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 70% — above average
70%
Career Allow Rate
23 granted / 33 resolved
+11.7% vs TC avg
Strong +45% interview lift
Without
With
+44.6%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 4m
Avg Prosecution
28 currently pending
Career history
61
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
1.8%
-38.2% vs TC avg
§103
49.5%
+9.5% vs TC avg
§102
35.2%
-4.8% vs TC avg
§112
12.1%
-27.9% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 33 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 . Specification The title of the invention is not descriptive. A new title is required that is clearly indicative of the invention to which the claims are directed. The following title is suggested: Methods for Early Channel State Information Reporting. The use of the terms ‘WiFi’ and ‘Bluetooth’, which is a trade name or a mark used in commerce, has been noted in this application. The term should be accompanied by the generic terminology; furthermore the term should be capitalized wherever it appears or, where appropriate, include a proper symbol indicating use in commerce such as ™, SM , or ® following the term. Although the use of trade names and marks used in commerce (i.e., trademarks, service marks, certification marks, and collective marks) are permissible in patent applications, the proprietary nature of the marks should be respected and every effort made to prevent their use in any manner which might adversely affect their validity as commercial marks. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action: A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made. 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 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Cirik et al (US 20200350973 A1), and further in view of Hong (US 20250071648 A1). Regarding claim 1, Cirik teaches A method comprising ([0648] methods disclosed): receiving, by a wireless device, one or more radio resource control (RRC) messages, associated with Layer 1 or Layer 2 triggered mobility (LTM), comprising ([0201] wireless device receives one or more RRC messages from base station; [0208] RRC message related to mobility control): a plurality of serving cell configurations, wherein each serving cell configuration of the plurality of serving cell configurations is associated with a corresponding candidate cell of a plurality of candidate cells ([0201] base station sends one or more RRC messages to the wireless device comprising a plurality of configuration parameters for one or more cells (plurality of serving cell configurations); [0544] one or more of the configuration parameters may comprise at least one candidate cell-RS list (associated with a corresponding candidate cell of a plurality)); and a reference signal (RS) configuration indicating synchronization signal blocks (SSBs), associated with the plurality of candidate cells, for layer 1 reference signal received power (L1-RSRP) measurement ([0430] a wireless device performs an L1-RSRP measurements based on the one or more RSs, which can be SSBs, in the second set of resource configuration indexes (RS configuration) in order to detect a candidate beam (associated with the plurality of candidate cells); [0401] second set of resource configuration indexes includes candidateBeamRSList, which is provided from the base station to the wireless device via RRC); L1-RSRP measurement of at least one SSB indicated in the RS configuration and for the LTM ([0430] RS indicates SSB, where a wireless device performs an L1-RSRP measurements based on the RS in order to detect a candidate beam (for LTM)), Cirik does not explicitly teach transmitting, based on L1-RSRP measurement of at least one SSB indicated in the RS configuration and for the LTM, an L1-RSRP report associated with a candidate cell corresponding to the at least one SSB; and switching, based on the L1-RSRP measurement, to the candidate cell as a primary cell. However, Hong does teach transmitting, based on L1-RSRP measurement of at least one SSB indicated in the RS configuration and for the LTM, an L1-RSRP report associated with a candidate cell corresponding to the at least one SSB ([0178] a CSI-SSB-ResourceSet for L1-RSRP measurement/reporting is configured in the UE (L1-RSRP measurement of at least one SSB indicated in the configuration); [0102]-[0103] and [Fig. 8] UE transmits the measurement result (L1-RSRP report) for the candidate target cell (associated with a candidate cell) based on the message indicating the measurement to be performed and reported (based on the measurement), where the UE can measure L1-RSRP); and switching, based on the L1-RSRP measurement, to the candidate cell as a primary cell ([0102]-[0110] and [Fig. 8] the UE sends the L1-RSRP measurement result to the base station, where based on the measurement result, the base station will send a MAC CE to the UE instructing it to perform a cell change LTM operation to the target cell). Cirik and Hong are considered to be analogous to the claimed invention, as they are both in the same field of configuring a UE to perform L1-RSRP measurements. It would have been obvious to someone of ordinary skill in the art prior to the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Cirik to include the teachings of Hong where the L1-RSRP measurement result is transmitted, and the UE changes cells based on the measurement result. The rationale behind this would be to allow cell switching to be performed quickly at a lower layer ([0011] Hong). Regarding claim 2, Cirik modified by Hong teaches The method of claim 1, as is described above. Cirik further teaches wherein the RS configuration comprises, for each SSB of the SSBs, an identifier of one of the candidate cells ([0401] second set of resource configuration indexes includes candidateBeamRSList (identifier of one of the candidate cells), which is a SSB index (for each SSB of the SSBs) provided from the base station to the wireless device via RRC). Regarding claim 3, Cirik modified by Hong teaches The method of claim 1, as is described above. Cirik does not explicitly teach wherein the switching comprises switching to the candidate cell based on a command indicating primary cell switching and comprising at least one of: downlink control information (DCI); or a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE). However, Hong does teach wherein the switching comprises switching to the candidate cell based on a command indicating primary cell switching and comprising at least one of ([0102]-[0110] and [Fig. 8] the UE sends the L1-RSRP measurement result to the base station, where based on the measurement result, the base station will send a MAC CE to the UE instructing it to perform a cell change LTM operation to the target cell): downlink control information (DCI); or a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) ([0102]-[0110] and [Fig. 8] the base station will send a MAC CE to the UE). Cirik and Hong are considered to be analogous to the claimed invention, as they are both in the same field of configuring a UE to perform L1-RSRP measurements. It would have been obvious to someone of ordinary skill in the art prior to the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Cirik to include the teachings of Hong where the base station will send a MAC CE to the UE. The rationale behind this would be to allow cell switching to be performed quickly at a lower layer ([0011] Hong). Regarding claim 4, Cirik modified by Hong teaches The method of claim 1, as is described above. Cirik does not explicitly teach wherein the L1-RSRP report comprises at least one of: an L1-RSRP value; an indication of an SSB, of the SSBs, that is associated with the candidate cell; or an indication of the candidate cell, wherein the L1-RSRP measurement comprises L1-RSRP measurement of the SSB. However, Hong does teach wherein the L1-RSRP report comprises at least one of ([0102]-[0103] and [Fig. 8] UE transmits the measurement result (L1-RSRP report)): an L1-RSRP value ([0103]-[0104] and [Fig. 8] the UE performs the L1 measurement and transmits the L1-RSRP measurement result (L1-RSRP value) to the base station); an indication of an SSB, of the SSBs, that is associated with the candidate cell; or an indication of the candidate cell, wherein the L1-RSRP measurement comprises L1-RSRP measurement of the SSB. Cirik and Hong are considered to be analogous to the claimed invention, as they are both in the same field of configuring a UE to perform L1-RSRP measurements. It would have been obvious to someone of ordinary skill in the art prior to the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Cirik to include the teachings of Hong where the UE sends the L1-RSRP measurement result to the base station. The rationale behind this would be to allow cell switching to be performed quickly at a lower layer ([0011] Hong). Regarding claim 5, Cirik modified by Hong teaches The method of claim 1, as is described above. Cirik does not explicitly teach wherein the SSBs comprise at least one of: a first SSB associated with a first physical cell identifier (PCI) index indicating a serving cell; and a second SSB associated with a second PCI index, different from the first PCI index, indicating the candidate cell. However, Hong does teach wherein the SSBs comprise at least one of: a first SSB associated with a first physical cell identifier (PCI) index indicating a serving cell ([0178] CSI-SSB-ResourceSet for L1-RSRP measurement/reporting is configured on the UE, where the set includes a set of SSB indices, and the SSB may be associated with the PCI index of the corresponding serving cell (indicating a serving cell) or may be associated with the PCI index of a cell other than the corresponding serving cell); and a second SSB associated with a second PCI index, different from the first PCI index, indicating the candidate cell ([0178] CSI-SSB-ResourceSet for L1-RSRP measurement/reporting is configured on the UE, where the set includes a set of SSB indices, and the SSB may be associated with the PCI index of the corresponding serving cell or may be associated with the PCI index of a cell other than the corresponding serving cell (indicating the candidate cell)). Cirik and Hong are considered to be analogous to the claimed invention, as they are both in the same field of configuring a UE to perform L1-RSRP measurements. It would have been obvious to someone of ordinary skill in the art prior to the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Cirik to include the teachings of Hong where the SSBs are associated with the PCI indices of cells. The rationale behind this would be to allow cell switching to be performed quickly at a lower layer ([0011] Hong). Regarding claim 6, Cirik modified by Hong teaches The method of claim 1, as is described above. Cirik further teaches wherein the RS configuration indicates, for each SSB of the SSBs, at least one of ([0430] a wireless device performs an L1-RSRP measurements based on the one or more RSs, which can be SSBs, in the second set of resource configuration indexes (RS configuration)): frequency resources ([0430] a wireless device performs an L1-RSRP measurements based on the one or more RSs, which can be SSBs, in the second set of resource configuration (frequency resources) indexes (RS configuration)); a periodicity in a time domain; or a transmission power. Regarding claim 7, Cirik modified by Hong teaches The method of claim 1, as is described above. Cirik further teaches wherein the transmitting the L1-RSRP report comprises transmitting an aperiodic CSI report ([0501] uplink signal may be a layer 1 report, which may be an aperiodic CSI report). Regarding claim 8, Cirik modified by Hong teaches The method of claim 1, as is described above. Cirik further teaches wherein the transmitting the L1-RSRP report comprises transmitting a semi-persistent CSI report via a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) or a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) ([0234] and [0488] CSI-RS may be transmitted with a semi-persistent configuration, and may be sent on PUSCH). Regarding claim 9, Cirik modified by Hong teaches The method of claim 1, as is described above. Cirik further teaches wherein the RS configuration indicating the SSBs is separate from the serving cell configurations corresponding to the candidate cells ([0201] base station sends one or more RRC messages to the wireless device comprising a plurality of configuration parameters for one or more cells (plurality of serving cell configurations); [0544] one or more of the configuration parameters may comprise at least one candidate cell-RS list (associated with a corresponding candidate cell of a plurality); [0430] a wireless device performs an L1-RSRP measurements based on the one or more RSs, which can be SSBs, in the second set of resource configuration indexes (RS configuration) in order to detect a candidate beam (associated with the plurality of candidate cells); [0401] second set of resource configuration indexes includes candidateBeamRSList, which is provided from the base station to the wireless device via RRC (the configuration for the cells is different from the RS indicating SSBs)). Regarding claim 10, Cirik modified by Hong teaches The method of claim 1, as is described above. Cirik further teaches wherein a serving cell configuration of the serving cell configurations corresponds to the candidate cell and indicates, for the L1-RSRP report associated with the candidate cell, one or more of the SSBs of the RS configuration ([0201] base station sends one or more RRC messages to the wireless device comprising a plurality of configuration parameters for one or more cells (plurality of serving cell configurations); [0544] one or more of the configuration parameters may comprise at least one candidate cell-RS list (associated with a corresponding candidate cell of a plurality); [0430] a wireless device performs an L1-RSRP measurements based on the one or more RSs, which can be SSBs, in the second set of resource configuration indexes (RS configuration) in order to detect a candidate beam (associated with the plurality of candidate cells); [0401] second set of resource configuration indexes includes candidateBeamRSList, which is provided from the base station to the wireless device via RRC; [0428] the wireless device assesses downlink link quality of a serving cell based on one or more RSs, which can be an SSB). Regarding claim 11, Cirik teaches A method comprising ([0648] methods disclosed): receiving, by a wireless device, one or more radio resource control (RRC) messages comprising a reference signal (RS) configuration indicating ([0201] wireless device receives one or more RRC messages from base station; [0208] RRC message related to mobility control; [0544] one or more of the configuration parameters may comprise at least one candidate cell-RS list): a first synchronization signal block (SSB), associated with a first candidate cell of a plurality of candidate cells, for layer 1 reference signal received power (L1-RSRP) measurement of the first candidate cell ([0430] a wireless device performs an L1-RSRP measurements based on the one or more RSs, which can be SSBs (first SSB), in the second set of resource configuration indexes (RS configuration) in order to detect a candidate beam (associated with the plurality of candidate cells); [0401] second set of resource configuration indexes includes candidateBeamRSList, which is provided from the base station to the wireless device via RRC); a second SSB, associated with a second candidate cell of the plurality of candidate cells, for L1-RSRP measurement of the second candidate cell ([0430] a wireless device performs an L1-RSRP measurements based on the one or more RSs, which can be SSBs (second SSB), in the second set of resource configuration indexes (RS configuration) in order to detect a candidate beam (associated with the plurality of candidate cells); [0401] second set of resource configuration indexes includes candidateBeamRSList, which is provided from the base station to the wireless device via RRC); Cirik does not explicitly teach transmitting, based on L1-RSRP measurement of the first SSB and based on L1-RSRP measurement of the second SSB, an L1-RSRP report associated with Layer 1 or Layer 2 triggered mobility (LTM) and; and switching, based on the LTM, a primary cell from a serving cell to the first candidate cell or the second candidate cell. However, Hong does teach transmitting, based on L1-RSRP measurement of the first SSB and based on L1-RSRP measurement of the second SSB, an L1-RSRP report associated with Layer 1 or Layer 2 triggered mobility (LTM) and ([0178] a CSI-SSB-ResourceSet for L1-RSRP measurement/reporting is configured in the UE (L1-RSRP measurement of at least one SSB indicated in the configuration); [0102]-[0103] and [Fig. 8] UE transmits the measurement result (L1-RSRP report) for the candidate target cell (associated with a candidate cell) based on the message indicating the measurement to be performed and reported (based on the measurement), where the UE can measure L1-RSRP); and switching, based on the LTM, a primary cell from a serving cell to the first candidate cell or the second candidate cell ([0102]-[0110] and [Fig. 8] the UE sends the L1-RSRP measurement result to the base station, where based on the measurement result, the base station will send a MAC CE to the UE instructing it to perform a cell change LTM operation to the target cell). Cirik and Hong are considered to be analogous to the claimed invention, as they are both in the same field of configuring a UE to perform L1-RSRP measurements. It would have been obvious to someone of ordinary skill in the art prior to the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Cirik to include the teachings of Hong where the L1-RSRP measurement result is transmitted, and the UE changes cells based on the measurement result. The rationale behind this would be to allow cell switching to be performed quickly at a lower layer ([0011] Hong). Regarding claim 12, Cirik modified by Hong teaches The method of claim 11, as is described above. Cirik further teaches wherein the one or more RRC messages further comprise, separate from the RS configuration, serving cell configurations corresponding to candidate cells ([0201] base station sends one or more RRC messages to the wireless device comprising a plurality of configuration parameters for one or more cells (plurality of serving cell configurations); [0544] one or more of the configuration parameters may comprise at least one candidate cell-RS list (associated with a corresponding candidate cell of a plurality); [0430] a wireless device performs an L1-RSRP measurements based on the one or more RSs, which can be SSBs, in the second set of resource configuration indexes (RS configuration) in order to detect a candidate beam (associated with the plurality of candidate cells); [0401] second set of resource configuration indexes includes candidateBeamRSList, which is provided from the base station to the wireless device via RRC (the configuration for the cells is different from the RS indicating SSBs)). Regarding claim 13, Cirik modified by Hong teaches The method of claim 11, as is described above. Cirik further teaches wherein the RS configuration comprises, for each SSB of the SSBs, an identifier of one of the candidate cells ([0401] second set of resource configuration indexes includes candidateBeamRSList (identifier of one of the candidate cells), which is a SSB index (for each SSB of the SSBs) provided from the base station to the wireless device via RRC). Regarding claim 14, Cirik modified by Hong teaches The method of claim 11, as is described above. Cirik does not explicitly teach wherein: the first SSB is associated with a first physical cell identifier (PCI) index indicating the first candidate cell; and the second SSB is associated with a second PCI index, different from the first PCI index, indicating the second candidate cell. However, Hong does teach the first SSB is associated with a first physical cell identifier (PCI) index indicating the first candidate cell ([0178] CSI-SSB-ResourceSet for L1-RSRP measurement/reporting is configured on the UE, where the set includes a set of SSB indices, and the SSB may be associated with the PCI index of the corresponding serving cell (indicating a serving cell) or may be associated with the PCI index of a cell other than the corresponding serving cell); and the second SSB is associated with a second PCI index, different from the first PCI index, indicating the second candidate cell ([0178] CSI-SSB-ResourceSet for L1-RSRP measurement/reporting is configured on the UE, where the set includes a set of SSB indices, and the SSB may be associated with the PCI index of the corresponding serving cell or may be associated with the PCI index of a cell other than the corresponding serving cell (indicating the candidate cell)). Cirik and Hong are considered to be analogous to the claimed invention, as they are both in the same field of configuring a UE to perform L1-RSRP measurements. It would have been obvious to someone of ordinary skill in the art prior to the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Cirik to include the teachings of Hong where the SSBs are associated with the PCI indices of cells. The rationale behind this would be to allow cell switching to be performed quickly at a lower layer ([0011] Hong). Regarding claim 15, Cirik modified by Hong teaches The method of claim 11, as is described above. Cirik further teaches wherein the RS configuration indicates, for each SSB of the SSBs, at least one of ([0430] a wireless device performs an L1-RSRP measurements based on the one or more RSs, which can be SSBs, in the second set of resource configuration indexes (RS configuration)): frequency resources ([0430] a wireless device performs an L1-RSRP measurements based on the one or more RSs, which can be SSBs, in the second set of resource configuration (frequency resources) indexes (RS configuration)); a periodicity in a time domain; or a transmission power. Regarding claim 16, Cirik teaches A method comprising ([0648] methods disclosed): receiving, by a wireless device, one or more radio resource control (RRC) messages, associated with Layer 1 or Layer 2 triggered mobility (LTM) comprising a plurality of serving cell configurations, where each serving cell configuration of the plurality of serving cell configurations is associated with a corresponding candidate cell of a plurality of candidate cells ([0201] wireless device receives one or more RRC messages from base station; [0208] RRC message related to mobility control; [0201] base station sends one or more RRC messages to the wireless device comprising a plurality of configuration parameters for one or more cells (plurality of serving cell configurations); [0544] one or more of the configuration parameters may comprise at least one candidate cell-RS list (associated with a corresponding candidate cell of a plurality)); receiving, separate from the serving cell configurations and for the LTM, a reference signal (RS) configuration indicating synchronization signal blocks (SSBs), associated with the plurality of candidate cells, for Layer 1 reference signal received power (L1-RSRP) measurements ([0430] a wireless device performs an L1-RSRP measurements based on the one or more RSs, which can be SSBs, in the second set of resource configuration indexes (RS configuration) in order to detect a candidate beam (associated with the plurality of candidate cells); [0401] second set of resource configuration indexes includes candidateBeamRSList, which is provided from the base station to the wireless device via RRC); Cirik does not explicitly teach transmitting, based on L1-RSRP measurement of at least one SSB indicated in the RS configuration and for the LTM, an L1-RSRP report associated with a candidate cell corresponding to the at least one SSB; and switching, based on the L1-RSRP measurement, a primary cell from a serving cell to the candidate cell. However, Hong does teach transmitting, based on L1-RSRP measurement of at least one SSB indicated in the RS configuration and for the LTM, an L1-RSRP report associated with a candidate cell corresponding to the at least one SSB ([0178] a CSI-SSB-ResourceSet for L1-RSRP measurement/reporting is configured in the UE (L1-RSRP measurement of at least one SSB indicated in the configuration); [0102]-[0103] and [Fig. 8] UE transmits the measurement result (L1-RSRP report) for the candidate target cell (associated with a candidate cell) based on the message indicating the measurement to be performed and reported (based on the measurement), where the UE can measure L1-RSRP); and switching, based on the L1-RSRP measurement, a primary cell from a serving cell to the candidate cell ([0102]-[0110] and [Fig. 8] the UE sends the L1-RSRP measurement result to the base station, where based on the measurement result, the base station will send a MAC CE to the UE instructing it to perform a cell change LTM operation to the target cell). Cirik and Hong are considered to be analogous to the claimed invention, as they are both in the same field of configuring a UE to perform L1-RSRP measurements. It would have been obvious to someone of ordinary skill in the art prior to the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Cirik to include the teachings of Hong where the L1-RSRP measurement result is transmitted, and the UE changes cells based on the measurement result. The rationale behind this would be to allow cell switching to be performed quickly at a lower layer ([0011] Hong).. Regarding claim 17, Cirik modified by Hong teaches The method of claim 16, as is described above. Cirik further teaches wherein the RS configuration comprises, for each SSB of the SSBs, an identifier of one of the candidate cells ([0401] second set of resource configuration indexes includes candidateBeamRSList (identifier of one of the candidate cells), which is a SSB index (for each SSB of the SSBs) provided from the base station to the wireless device via RRC). Regarding claim 18, Cirik modified by Hong teaches The method of claim 16, as is described above. Cirik does not explicitly teach wherein the L1-RSRP report comprises at least one of: an L1-RSRP value; an indication of an SSB, of the SSBs, that is associated with the candidate cell; and an indication of the candidate cell, wherein the L1-RSRP measurement comprises L1-RSRP measurement of the SSB. However, Hong does teach wherein the L1-RSRP report comprises at least one of ([0102]-[0103] and [Fig. 8] UE transmits the measurement result (L1-RSRP report)): an L1-RSRP value ([0103]-[0104] and [Fig. 8] the UE performs the L1 measurement and transmits the L1-RSRP measurement result (L1-RSRP value) to the base station); an indication of an SSB, of the SSBs, that is associated with the candidate cell; and an indication of the candidate cell, wherein the L1-RSRP measurement comprises L1-RSRP measurement of the SSB. Cirik and Hong are considered to be analogous to the claimed invention, as they are both in the same field of configuring a UE to perform L1-RSRP measurements. It would have been obvious to someone of ordinary skill in the art prior to the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Cirik to include the teachings of Hong where the UE sends the L1-RSRP measurement result to the base station. The rationale behind this would be to allow cell switching to be performed quickly at a lower layer ([0011] Hong). Regarding claim 19, Cirik modified by Hong teaches The method of claim 16, as is described above. Cirik does not explicitly teach wherein an SSB, of the SSBs, is associated with a physical cell identifier (PCI) index indicating the candidate cell. However, Hong does teach wherein an SSB, of the SSBs, is associated with a physical cell identifier (PCI) index indicating the candidate cell ([0178] CSI-SSB-ResourceSet for L1-RSRP measurement/reporting is configured on the UE, where the set includes a set of SSB indices, and the SSB may be associated with the PCI index of the corresponding serving cell (indicating a serving cell) or may be associated with the PCI index of a cell other than the corresponding serving cell). Cirik and Hong are considered to be analogous to the claimed invention, as they are both in the same field of configuring a UE to perform L1-RSRP measurements. It would have been obvious to someone of ordinary skill in the art prior to the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Cirik to include the teachings of Hong where the SSBs are associated with the PCI indices of cells. The rationale behind this would be to allow cell switching to be performed quickly at a lower layer ([0011] Hong). Regarding claim 20, Cirik modified by Hong teaches The method of claim 16, as is described above. Cirik does not explicitly teach further comprising receiving an indication of switching the primary cell to the candidate cell, wherein the candidate cell is not activated prior to the receiving the indication. However, Hong does teach further comprising receiving an indication of switching the primary cell to the candidate cell, wherein the candidate cell is not activated prior to the receiving the indication ([0102]-[0110] and [Fig. 8] the UE sends the L1-RSRP measurement result to the base station, where based on the measurement result, the base station will send a MAC CE to the UE instructing it to perform a cell change LTM operation to the target cell (UE is not using the target cell prior to the indication; candidate cell not activated prior)). Cirik and Hong are considered to be analogous to the claimed invention, as they are both in the same field of configuring a UE to perform L1-RSRP measurements. It would have been obvious to someone of ordinary skill in the art prior to the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Cirik to include the teachings of Hong where the base station will send a MAC CE to the UE. The rationale behind this would be to allow cell switching to be performed quickly at a lower layer ([0011] Hong). Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ADAM JOEL CERLANEK whose telephone number is (703)756-1272. The examiner can normally be reached 8:30-5:00. 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, Joseph Avellino can be reached at (571) 272-3905. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /A.J.C./Examiner, Art Unit 2478 /JOSEPH E AVELLINO/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2478
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Prosecution Timeline

Feb 08, 2024
Application Filed
Feb 07, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §103 (current)

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Expected OA Rounds
70%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+44.6%)
3y 4m
Median Time to Grant
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