Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/473,642

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MEASUREMENT REPORTING OF UNCREWED AERIAL VEHICLE TERMINAL IN NON-TERRESTRIAL NETWORK

Non-Final OA §102§103
Filed
Sep 25, 2023
Examiner
JAHANGIR, KABIR U
Art Unit
2464
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
88%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
2y 7m
To Grant
96%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 88% — above average
88%
Career Allow Rate
394 granted / 450 resolved
+29.6% vs TC avg
Moderate +9% lift
Without
With
+8.9%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 7m
Avg Prosecution
21 currently pending
Career history
471
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
3.8%
-36.2% vs TC avg
§103
46.8%
+6.8% vs TC avg
§102
26.0%
-14.0% vs TC avg
§112
9.2%
-30.8% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 450 resolved cases

Office Action

§102 §103
DETAILED ACTION Claims 1-20 are pending. 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 (IDS) submitted on 05/21/2024 was filed. The submission is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner. Specification The lengthy specification has not been checked to the extent necessary to determine the presence of all possible minor errors. Applicant's cooperation is requested in correcting any errors of which applicant may become aware in the specification. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102 The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action: A person shall be entitled to a patent unless – (a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention. Claims 1-3, 6-8, 11-13 and 16-18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Min et al. (US 20210168670, Min hereinafter). As to claim 1: Min discloses a method performed by a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: receiving, from a base station, configuration information on a measurement report including information on a number of triggering cells (see at least paragraphs [0059]-[0070], the UE 200 receives the RRC Connection Reconfiguration that includes the ReportConfigEUTRA where the numberOfTriggeringCell (see underlined parts in FIGS. 6 and 7) that indicates the number of the triggering cells is included in the ReportConfigEUTRA.); transmitting, to the base station, a first measurement report for at least one first cell fulfilling an entry condition, in case that a number of the at least one first cell is larger than or equal to the number of triggering cells (see at least paragraphs [0059]-[0070] and Fig. 3, the measurement report transmitting unit 230 can transmit the Measurement Report when the number of the neighbor cells that fulfill the entering condition is equal to or more than the number of the triggering cells (numberOfTriggeringCell).); and transmitting, to the base station, a second measurement report for at least one second cell fulfilling a leaving condition, wherein the at least one second cell fulfilling the leaving condition is a cell which was included in the first measurement report (see at least paragraphs [0059]-[0070] and Fig. 3, the measurement report transmitting unit 230 can transmit the Measurement Report when the number of the neighbor cells that fulfill the leaving condition for omitting the reception quality of a cell from the Measurement Report is equal to or more than the number of the triggering cells.). As to claim 2: Min discloses the method of claim 1. Min further discloses wherein a third cell fulfilling the leaving condition is excluded from the second measurement report, in case that the third cell was not included in the first measurement report (see at least paragraph [0051], when a neighbor cell fulfills the leaving condition, the measurement report transmitting unit 230 omits the reception quality of that cell from the Measurement Report because the cell could not fulfill the condition of the event, and then transmits the Measurement Report.). As to claim 3: Min discloses the method of claim 1. Min further discloses wherein the UE is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) UE (see at least paragraphs [0008], [0013], [0029] and [0126], unmanned aerial vehicle (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)).). As to claim 6: Min discloses a method performed by a base station in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: transmitting, to a user equipment (UE), configuration information on a measurement report including information on a number of triggering cells (see at least paragraphs [0059]-[0070], the UE 200 receives the RRC Connection Reconfiguration that includes the ReportConfigEUTRA where the numberOfTriggeringCell (see underlined parts in FIGS. 6 and 7) that indicates the number of the triggering cells is included in the ReportConfigEUTRA.); receiving, from the UE, a first measurement report for at least one first cell fulfilling an entry condition, in case that a number of the at least one first cell is larger than or equal to the number of triggering cells (see at least paragraphs [0059]-[0070] and Fig. 3, the measurement report transmitting unit 230 can transmit the Measurement Report when the number of the neighbor cells that fulfill the entering condition is equal to or more than the number of the triggering cells (numberOfTriggeringCell).); and receiving, from the UE, a second measurement report for at least one second cell fulfilling a leaving condition, wherein at least one second cell fulfilling the leaving condition is a cell which was included in the first measurement report (see at least paragraphs [0059]-[0070] and Fig. 3, the measurement report transmitting unit 230 can transmit the Measurement Report when the number of the neighbor cells that fulfill the leaving condition for omitting the reception quality of a cell from the Measurement Report is equal to or more than the number of the triggering cells.). As to claim 7: Min discloses the method of claim 6. Min further discloses wherein a third cell fulfilling the leaving condition is excluded from the second measurement report, in case that the third cell was not included in the first measurement report (see at least paragraph [0051], when a neighbor cell fulfills the leaving condition, the measurement report transmitting unit 230 omits the reception quality of that cell from the Measurement Report because the cell could not fulfill the condition of the event, and then transmits the Measurement Report.). As to claim 8: Min discloses the method of claim 6. Min further discloses wherein the UE is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) UE (see at least paragraphs [0008], [0013], [0029] and [0126], unmanned aerial vehicle (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)).). As to claim 11: Min discloses a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system, the UE comprising: a transceiver (see at least paragraph [0104], an UE includes transceiver) ; and at least one processor (see at least paragraph [0104], a processor) coupled with the transceiver and configured to: receive, from a base station, configuration information on a measurement report including information on a number of triggering cells (see at least paragraphs [0059]-[0070], the UE 200 receives the RRC Connection Reconfiguration that includes the ReportConfigEUTRA where the numberOfTriggeringCell (see underlined parts in FIGS. 6 and 7) that indicates the number of the triggering cells is included in the ReportConfigEUTRA.), transmit, to the base station, a first measurement report for at least one first cell fulfilling an entry condition, in case that a number of the at least one first cell is larger than or equal to the number of triggering cells (see at least paragraphs [0059]-[0070] and Fig. 3, the measurement report transmitting unit 230 can transmit the Measurement Report when the number of the neighbor cells that fulfill the entering condition is equal to or more than the number of the triggering cells (numberOfTriggeringCell).), and transmit, to the base station, a second measurement report for at least one second cell fulfilling a leaving condition, wherein the at least one second cell fulfilling the leaving condition is a cell which was included in the first measurement report (see at least paragraphs [0059]-[0070] and Fig. 3, the measurement report transmitting unit 230 can transmit the Measurement Report when the number of the neighbor cells that fulfill the leaving condition for omitting the reception quality of a cell from the Measurement Report is equal to or more than the number of the triggering cells.). As to claim 12: Min discloses the UE of claim 11. Min further discloses wherein a third cell fulfilling the leaving condition is excluded from the second measurement report, in case that the third cell was not included in the first measurement report (see at least paragraph [0051], when a neighbor cell fulfills the leaving condition, the measurement report transmitting unit 230 omits the reception quality of that cell from the Measurement Report because the cell could not fulfill the condition of the event, and then transmits the Measurement Report.). As to claim 13: Min discloses the UE of claim 11. Min further discloses wherein the UE is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) UE (see at least paragraphs [0008], [0013], [0029] and [0126], unmanned aerial vehicle (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)).). As to claim 16: Min discloses a base station in a wireless communication system, the base station comprising: a transceiver (see at least paragraph [0118], base station includes transceiver); and at least one processor (see at least paragraph [0118], base station includes a processor) coupled with the transceiver and configured to: transmit, to a user equipment (UE), configuration information on a measurement report including information on a number of triggering cells (see at least paragraphs [0059]-[0070], the UE 200 receives the RRC Connection Reconfiguration that includes the ReportConfigEUTRA where the numberOfTriggeringCell (see underlined parts in FIGS. 6 and 7) that indicates the number of the triggering cells is included in the ReportConfigEUTRA.), receive, from the UE, a first measurement report for at least one first cell fulfilling an entry condition, in case that a number of the at least one first cell is larger than or equal to the number of triggering cells (see at least paragraphs [0059]-[0070] and Fig. 3, the measurement report transmitting unit 230 can transmit the Measurement Report when the number of the neighbor cells that fulfill the entering condition is equal to or more than the number of the triggering cells (numberOfTriggeringCell).), and receive, from the UE, a second measurement report for at least one second cell fulfilling a leaving condition, wherein at least one second cell fulfilling the leaving condition is a cell which was included in the first measurement report (see at least paragraphs [0059]-[0070] and Fig. 3, the measurement report transmitting unit 230 can transmit the Measurement Report when the number of the neighbor cells that fulfill the leaving condition for omitting the reception quality of a cell from the Measurement Report is equal to or more than the number of the triggering cells.). As to claim 17: Min discloses the base station of claim 16. Min further discloses wherein a third cell fulfilling the leaving condition is excluded from the second measurement report, in case that the third cell was not included in the first measurement report (see at least paragraph [0051], when a neighbor cell fulfills the leaving condition, the measurement report transmitting unit 230 omits the reception quality of that cell from the Measurement Report because the cell could not fulfill the condition of the event, and then transmits the Measurement Report.). As to claim 18: Min discloses the base station of claim 16. Min further discloses wherein the UE is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) UE (see at least paragraphs [0008], [0013], [0029] and [0126], unmanned aerial vehicle (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)).). 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 of this title, 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. Claims 4, 9, 14 and 19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Min et al. (US 20210168670, Min hereinafter) in view of Jung (WO2020060075, Jung hereinafter). As to claim 4: Min disclose the method of claim 1. Min does not explicitly disclose further comprising: transmitting, to the base station, capability information including information indicating that the UE supports the number of triggering cells. However Jung discloses transmitting, to the base station, capability information including information indicating that the UE supports the number of triggering cells (see at least paragraph [0384], the base station receiving the UE capability information may additionally configure parameters for neighboring cells measurement and reporting depending on whether the UE can fly. The base station may configure various parameters for example numberOfTriggeringCells.) Thus it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to implement capability information, as taught by Jung, into Min in order to improve terminal coverage, improve battery time, reduced terminal cost, and the like (see Jung, paragraph [77]). As to claim 9: Min disclose the method of claim 6. Min does not explicitly disclose further comprising: receiving, from the UE, a capability information including information indicating that the UE supports the number of triggering cells. However Jung discloses receiving, from the UE, a capability information including information indicating that the UE supports the number of triggering cells (see at least paragraph [0384], the base station receiving the UE capability information may additionally configure parameters for neighboring cells measurement and reporting depending on whether the UE can fly. The base station may configure various parameters for example numberOfTriggeringCells.) Thus it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to implement capability information, as taught by Jung, into Min in order to improve terminal coverage, improve battery time, reduced terminal cost, and the like (see Jung, paragraph [77]). As to claim 14: Min disclose the UE of claim 11. Min does not explicitly disclose wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: transmit, to the base station, capability information including information indicating that the UE supports the number of triggering cells. However Jung discloses receiving, from the UE, a capability information including information indicating that the UE supports the number of triggering cells (see at least paragraph [0384], the base station receiving the UE capability information may additionally configure parameters for neighboring cells measurement and reporting depending on whether the UE can fly. The base station may configure various parameters for example numberOfTriggeringCells.) Thus it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to implement capability information, as taught by Jung, into Min in order to improve terminal coverage, improve battery time, reduced terminal cost, and the like (see Jung, paragraph [77]). As to claim 19: Min disclose the base station of claim 16. Min does not explicitly disclose wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: receive, from the UE, a capability information including information indicating that the UE supports the number of triggering cells. However Jung discloses receive, from the UE, a capability information including information indicating that the UE supports the number of triggering cells (see at least paragraph [0384], the base station receiving the UE capability information may additionally configure parameters for neighboring cells measurement and reporting depending on whether the UE can fly. The base station may configure various parameters for example numberOfTriggeringCells.) Thus it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to implement capability information, as taught by Jung, into Min in order to improve terminal coverage, improve battery time, reduced terminal cost, and the like (see Jung, paragraph [77]). Allowable Subject Matter Claims 5, 10, 15 and 20 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Bergström et al. (US 20240064598) discloses Radio Network Node, User Equipment, and Methods Performed Therein. Wang et al. (US 20180332492) discloses Radio Communication Device And Method Of Mobile Radio Cell Measurement Reporting. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to KABIR U JAHANGIR whose telephone number is (571)272-0796. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Fri 10am to 6:30pm. 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, Ricky Ngo can be reached at (571)272-3139. 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. /K. J./ Examiner, Art Unit 2464 /RICKY Q NGO/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2464
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Prosecution Timeline

Sep 25, 2023
Application Filed
Jan 08, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §102, §103 (current)

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Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
88%
Grant Probability
96%
With Interview (+8.9%)
2y 7m
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 450 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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