Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/477,377

PROCEDURES OF SIDELINK RESOURCE POOL RESOURCE USE WITH REDUCED SENSING

Final Rejection §103
Filed
Sep 28, 2023
Examiner
RAHMAN, SHAH M
Art Unit
2413
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
Apple Inc.
OA Round
4 (Final)
81%
Grant Probability
Favorable
5-6
OA Rounds
2y 11m
To Grant
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 81% — above average
81%
Career Allow Rate
372 granted / 461 resolved
+22.7% vs TC avg
Strong +26% interview lift
Without
With
+26.4%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 11m
Avg Prosecution
59 currently pending
Career history
520
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
3.0%
-37.0% vs TC avg
§103
57.1%
+17.1% vs TC avg
§102
20.5%
-19.5% vs TC avg
§112
12.9%
-27.1% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 461 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 .. Summary This action is in reply to Applicant's Amendments and Remarks filed on 12/01/2025. Claims 1, 4, 7-9, 12, 15-17 and 20-22 are pending. Claims 2-3, 5-6, 10-11, 13-14 and 18-19 are cancelled. Response to Arguments Applicant's arguments dated 12/01/2025 with respect to claims 1, 4, 7-9, 12, 15-17 and 20-22 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. Applicant presented argument that Huawei, nor any portion of Yue as supported by its relevant provisional application, appears to teach or suggest "wherein Preserve,re-ev further comprises a data periodicity value that is determined by the UE from the configured one or more SL resource pool supported periodicity values". (REMARKS, Page 7) The Examiner respectfully disagrees. First, the Examiner interprets the above claim limitation as resources for Preserve,re-ev comprises consideration of a data value determined at UE. Then, the Examiner presents that Huawei discloses- Page 1: 2.1.1.1 Remaining details on determination on Preserve At RAN1#105-e, the following agreement are made: For the set of Preserve values in periodic-based partial sensing, o If no (pre-)configuration (i.e., by default), Preserve corresponds to all values from the (pre-)configured set sl-ResourceReservePeriodList. o Otherwise, a single set of Preserve values can be (pre-)configured, where the set of Preserve values are restricted to a subset of the (pre-)configured set sl-ResourceReservePeriodList). Pages 2-3 Section 2.1.1.2: Remaining details on determination on k At RAN1#105-e, the following agreement are made: For the k value in periodic-based partial sensing for resource (re)selection, o By default, the UE monitors the most recent sensing occasion for a given reservation periodicity before the resource (re)selection trigger slot n or the first slot of the set of Y candidate slots subject to processing time restriction. o If (pre-)configured, UE additionally monitors periodic sensing occasions that correspond to a set of values which can be (pre-)configured with at least one value (Working assumption) Possible values correspond to the most recent sensing occasion for a given reservation periodicity before the resource (re)selection trigger slot n or the first slot of the set of Y candidate slots, and the last periodic sensing occasion prior to the most recent one for the given reservation periodicity are included. For the case k is (pre-)configured, UE additionally monitors PBPS occasions in addition to monitoring the most recent partial sensing slot for a given traffic periodicity for a candidate resource, i.e. this means a UE can monitor the multiple most recent partial sensing slots per traffic periodicity. For example, assuming the resource pool provides reservation periods P 1 and P 2 , and setting k = most recent two ( k = 1 and k = 2 ), which means most two recent slots for each P 1 and P 2 need to be monitored, that is, for a given candidate slot t y S L , the corresponding partial sensing occasions are determined as t y - k × p r e s e r v e S L     for preserve = P1. P2 and k = most recent two, as shown in Figure 1 From the above Huawei disclosure, it is obvious to a person skill in art that for preconfigured k value in periodic-based partial sensing for resource (re)selection a UE can monitor multiple most recent partial sensing slots per traffic periodicity indicating UE determines a data or traffic periodicity value and then monitors multiple most recent partial sensing slots identified for Preserve,re-ev corresponding to data or traffic periodicity value from the configured one or more SL resource pool supported periodicity values provided by the (pre-)configured set sl-ResourceReservePeriodList. Therefore Huawei teaches “wherein Preserve,re-ev further comprises a data periodicity value that is determined by the UE from the configured one or more SL resource pool supported periodicity values”, as required by amended claim 9, Accordingly, claim 9 and similarly independent claims 1 and 17 with substantially similar features as in claim 9, are rejected. Dependent claims 4, 7-8, 12, 15-16 and 20-22, being dependent on claims 1, 9 and 17, are also rejected for the same as above. 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. 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, 4, 7-9, 12, 15-17 and 20-22 are rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Huawei et al. (R1-2106477 “Sidelink resource allocation to reduce power consumption”, of IDS, hereinafter ‘HUAWEI’) in view of Yue et al. (US 20240031999 A1 with priority of us-provisional-application US 63171006, of, IDS, hereinafter ‘YUE’). Regarding claim 9, HUAWEI teaches an apparatus of a user equipment (UE) (Section 2.1.1 Periodic-based partial sensing (PBPS): UE) that performs one of resource re-evaluation and resource pre-emption with periodic partial sensing (Pages 1-3, Section 2 Discussions, Figure 1. Multiple (most recent two) partial sensing occasions per priority for a given candidate resource. Page 17, Section 2.3 Re-evaluation and pre-emption check) the UE to: determine one or more periodicity values PNG media_image1.png 23 117 media_image1.png Greyscale used for the one of the resource re-evaluation and the resource pre-emption in a SL resource pool, wherein PNG media_image1.png 23 117 media_image1.png Greyscale comprises one or more SL resource pool supported periodicity values (Pages 1-2, Section 2.1.1 Periodic-based partial sensing (PBPS) When a resource pool is configured to enable periodic reservation, periodic-based partial sensing shall be always performed if a UE utilizes partial sensing RA for PSCCH/PSSCH transmission of which traffic types can be either periodic or aperiodic, and no additional conditions shall be applied to disable PBPS. 2.1.1.1 Remaining details on determination on Preserve At RAN1#105-e, the following agreement are made: For the set of Preserve values in periodic-based partial sensing, o If no (pre-)configuration (i.e., by default), Preserve corresponds to all values from the (pre-)configured set sl-ResourceReservePeriodList. o Otherwise, a single set of Preserve values can be (pre-)configured, where the set of Preserve values are restricted to a subset of the (pre-)configured set sl-ResourceReservePeriodList This is per mode 2 Tx resource pool (pre-)configuration A UE by implementation may also monitor other sl-ResourceReservePeriodList values not part of the restricted subset ….. On determination of Preserve , in order to maximize PPR performance, Preserve should correspond to all values from the (pre-)configured set sl-ResourceReservePeriodList. Furthermore, the network may provide a subset value, from network point of view, to allow UEs to reduce power consumption whilst obtain reliable sensing result to meet their QoS requirements. Pages 17-18, Section 2.3 Re-evaluation and pre-emption check At RAN#103-e, the following agreements were made: • Re-evaluation and pre-emption checking are supported by UEs that perform sensing Timeline of mode 2 resource allocation includes sensing, identification of candidate resources (i.e. determination of S_A) and report to MAC layer, re-evaluation/pre-emption on a set of resource provided by MAC layer, update of S_A, etc., as shown in Figure 14. See Figure 14 monitor all slots after sensing window for re-evaluation/pre-emption on selected resources); identify a trigger for the one of the resource re-evaluation and the resource pre-emption (Page 3, Figure 1, resource (re)selection trigger received in slot n, Page 2, Section 2.1.1.2 2.1.1.2 Remaining details on determination on k o By default, the UE monitors the most recent sensing occasion for a given reservation periodicity before the resource (re)selection trigger slot n or the first slot of the set of Y candidate slots subject to processing time restriction.); and perform the one of the resource re-evaluation and the resource pre-emption according to resource reservation information received during one or more sensing occasions prior to a slot PNG media_image2.png 21 17 media_image2.png Greyscale that is a first slot of periodic-based candidate slots within a resource selection window, wherein the one or more sensing occasions occur according to one or more periodicities corresponding to the PNG media_image1.png 23 117 media_image1.png Greyscale measured back from the slot PNG media_image2.png 21 17 media_image2.png Greyscale (Page 3, Figure 1, resource (re)selection trigger received in slot n, and sensing occasions before ty0, that is a first slot of periodic-based candidate slots Y within a resource selection window for resource re-evaluation and the resource pre-emption, Page 2, Section 2.1.1.2 2.1.1.2 Remaining details on determination on k o By default, the UE monitors the most recent sensing occasion for a given reservation periodicity before the resource (re)selection trigger slot n or the first slot of the set of Y candidate slots subject to processing time restriction. Pages 9-12 Section 2.2.1 2.2.1 Random selection with priority handling Page 10, Rel-17 already supports different RA types to be configured in the same resource pool. Page 11, Figure 7 RP configurations for ... Case 2. − Case 2 – All UEs (for P-UE & V-UE), regardless of type of RA, are in the same TX resource pool, i.e. configurations provides a single resource pool. Pages 11-12: In a resource pool configured for mixed full-sensing and reduced-sensing, a full-sensing UE can monitor all SCIs including those originated from reduced-sensing UEs, and decides whether to re-select its own resources based on re-evaluation and pre-emption checks. ….. ..In Rel-16, pre-emption can be enabled/disabled per resource pool with a priority handling design, where a pre-emption priority threshold is configured for the resource pool. With this configuration, only a PSSCH with a priority value smaller than the priority threshold is allowed to pre-empt resources in the resource pool. This can be re-used in a resource pool configured for mixed full-sensing and reduced-sensing RAs to prevent that full sensing UEs must always back off or collide in presence of a reduced sensing UE which may have a quite different service profiles. (Construed that a full-sensing UE monitors all SCIs (Sidelink Control Information) during sensing period for performing the one of the resource re-evaluation and the resource pre-emption based on priority according to resource reservation information received during one or more sensing occasions prior to a slot tyo or slot PNG media_image2.png 21 17 media_image2.png Greyscale ) Pages 17-18, Section 2.3 Re-evaluation and pre-emption check At RAN#103-e, the following agreements were made: • Re-evaluation and pre-emption checking are supported by UEs that perform sensing At RAN1#105-e, the following agreement are made: Relationship to re-evaluation and pre-emption operation for periodic-based partial sensing to be discussed separately FFS details including whether monitoring of periodic sensing occasions between triggering slot n and the first slot of the selected Y candidate slots subject to processing time restriction is performed as part of resource (re)selection or re-evaluation and pre-emption checking Timeline of mode 2 resource allocation includes sensing, identification of candidate resources (i.e. determination of SA) and report to MAC layer, re-evaluation/pre-emption on a set of resource provided by MAC layer, update of SA, etc., as shown in Figure 14. For Rel-17, the timing reference on determination of SA is changed to slot ty0 subject to processing timing restriction rather than slot n as in Rel-16, and therefore re-evaluation and pre-emption check are performed after determination of SA. In addition, a UE does not need to monitor every slot for e-evaluation and pre-emption check taking into account power consumption reduction. In order to detect periodic reservation after ty0-processing time, only sensing occasions corresponding to Preserve are monitored. See Page 18, Figure 14. See Figure 14 monitor all slots after sensing window for re-evaluation/pre-emption on selected resources), wherein the one or more sensing occasions are identified using period definition data PNG media_image3.png 21 65 media_image3.png Greyscale for the one of the resource re-evaluation and resource pre-emption that indicates one or more periods of each of the one or more periodicities during which the one or more sensing occasions occur ( Pages 2-3 Section 2.1.1.2 Remaining details on determination on k For the case k is (pre-)configured, UE additionally monitors PBPS occasions in addition to monitoring the most recent partial sensing slot for a given traffic periodicity for a candidate resource, i.e. this means a UE can monitor the multiple most recent partial sensing slots per traffic periodicity. For example, assuming the resource pool provides reservation periods P 1 and P 2 , and setting k = most recent two ( k = 1 and k = 2 ), which means most two recent slots for each P 1 and P 2 need to be monitored, that is, for a given candidate slot t y S L , the corresponding partial sensing occasions are determined as t y - k × p r e s e r v e S L     for preserve = P1. P2 and k = most recent two, as shown in Figure 1. With the assumption that the physical value P 1 and P 2   are converted to logical slots as p 1 ' = 15   slots and p 2 ' = 20 slots respectively, a UE should monitor at slot t y - 1 × 15 S L and t y - 1 × 20 S L to check if candidate resource in slot t y was periodically reserved by other UEs, Pages 17-18, Section 2.3 Re-evaluation and pre-emption check For Rel-17, the timing reference on determination of SA is changed to slot ty0 subject to processing timing restriction rather than slot n as in Rel-16, and therefore re-evaluation and pre-emption check are performed after determination of SA. …. In order to detect periodic reservation after ty0 - processing time, only sensing occasions corresponding to Preserve are monitored. . On the other hand, to detect aperiodic reservation after ty0 - processing time a UE only needs to monitor 31 slots prior to the set of Y candidate slots starting from t y 1 for re-evaluation and pre-emption check, because resource exclusion on slot t y 0 is already performed by PBPS and CPS during   S A determination, as shown in Figure 15. (HUAWEI using Figure 14 and Figure 15 showing monitoring/sensing for PBPS+CPS periods to determine candidate resource set SA, then continue monitoring or sensing for re-evaluation and/or pre-emption check on selected resources for further periods corresponding to P_resv and 31 slots which are resources for re-evaluation and/or pre-emption, which corresponds to period definition data Kre-ev for the one of the resource re-evaluation and resource pre-emption. See also Proposal 11 disclosing Preserve and a maximum of 31 slots for periodic and aperiodic reservations after tyo – processing time after candidate resource set SA determination indicating Preserve and a maximum of 31 slots as sensing period for re-evaluation and/or pre-emption check corresponding to Kre-ev,as defined in amended claim 9)), wherein the one or more configured SL resource pool supported periodicity values comprises periodicity values used with the SL resource pool for resource selection ( Page 1, Section 2.1.1 Periodic-based partial sensing (PBPS) When a resource pool is configured to enable periodic reservation, periodic-based partial sensing shall be always performed if a UE utilizes partial sensing RA for PSCCH/PSSCH transmission of which traffic types can be either periodic or aperiodic, and no additional conditions shall be applied to disable PBPS. 2.1.1.1 Remaining details on determination on Preserve At RAN1#105-e, the following agreement are made: For the set of Preserve values in periodic-based partial sensing, o If no (pre-)configuration (i.e., by default), Preserve corresponds to all values from the (pre-)configured set sl-ResourceReservePeriodList. o Otherwise, a single set of Preserve values can be (pre-)configured, where the set of Preserve values are restricted to a subset of the (pre-)configured set sl-ResourceReservePeriodList). Page 2: On determination of P reserve , in order to maximize PPR performance, P reserve   should correspond to all values from the (pre-)configured set sl-ResourceReservePeriodList. Pages 2-3 Section 2.1.1.2: Remaining details on determination on k At RAN1#105-e, the following agreement are made: For the k value in periodic-based partial sensing for resource (re)selection, o By default, the UE monitors the most recent sensing occasion for a given reservation periodicity before the resource (re)selection trigger slot n or the first slot of the set of Y candidate slots subject to processing time restriction. o If (pre-)configured, UE additionally monitors periodic sensing occasions that correspond to a set of values which can be (pre-)configured with at least one value (Construed that one or more SL resource pool supported periodicity values comprises periodicity values used for resource selection)), and wherein Preserve,re-ev further comprises a data periodicity value that is determined by the UE from the configured one or more SL resource pool supported periodicity values ( Page 1: 2.1.1.1 Remaining details on determination on Preserve At RAN1#105-e, the following agreement are made: For the set of Preserve values in periodic-based partial sensing, o If no (pre-)configuration (i.e., by default), Preserve corresponds to all values from the (pre-)configured set sl-ResourceReservePeriodList. o Otherwise, a single set of Preserve values can be (pre-)configured, where the set of Preserve values are restricted to a subset of the (pre-)configured set sl-ResourceReservePeriodList). Pages 2-3 Section 2.1.1.2: Remaining details on determination on k At RAN1#105-e, the following agreement are made: For the k value in periodic-based partial sensing for resource (re)selection, o By default, the UE monitors the most recent sensing occasion for a given reservation periodicity before the resource (re)selection trigger slot n or the first slot of the set of Y candidate slots subject to processing time restriction. o If (pre-)configured, UE additionally monitors periodic sensing occasions that correspond to a set of values which can be (pre-)configured with at least one value (Working assumption) Possible values correspond to the most recent sensing occasion for a given reservation periodicity before the resource (re)selection trigger slot n or the first slot of the set of Y candidate slots, and the last periodic sensing occasion prior to the most recent one for the given reservation periodicity are included. For the case k is (pre-)configured, UE additionally monitors PBPS occasions in addition to monitoring the most recent partial sensing slot for a given traffic periodicity for a candidate resource, i.e. this means a UE can monitor the multiple most recent partial sensing slots per traffic periodicity. For example, assuming the resource pool provides reservation periods P 1 and P 2 , and setting k = most recent two ( k = 1 and k = 2 ), which means most two recent slots for each P 1 and P 2 need to be monitored, that is, for a given candidate slot t y S L , the corresponding partial sensing occasions are determined as t y - k × p r e s e r v e S L     for preserve = P1. P2 and k = most recent two, as shown in Figure 1 (It is obvious to a person skill in art that for preconfigured k value in periodic-based partial sensing for resource (re)selection a UE can monitor multiple most recent partial sensing slots per traffic periodicity indicating UE determines a data or traffic periodicity value and then monitors multiple most recent partial sensing slots identified for Preserve,re-ev corresponding to data or traffic periodicity value from the configured one or more SL resource pool supported periodicity values provided by the (pre-)configured set sl-ResourceReservePeriodList)). HUAWEI does not expressly disclose an apparatus of a user equipment (UE) that performs one of resource re-evaluation and resource pre-emption with periodic partial sensing, comprising: one or more processors, and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors. In an analogous art, YUE teaches an apparatus of a user equipment (UE) (Fig. 1, mobile devices 120, Fig. 2, UEs, Fig. 16 Processing Device 1600, [0167] …. the processing system 1600 is in a user-side device accessing a wireless or wireline telecommunications network, such as a mobile station, a user equipment (UE), a personal computer (PC), a tablet, a wearable communications device (e.g., a smartwatch, etc.), or any other device adapted to access a telecommunications network.), that performs one of resource re-evaluation and resource pre-emption with periodic partial sensing (Fig. 10, [0145] For a sensing UE with periodic traffic, as shown in FIG. 10, when resource (re)selection is triggered at slot n, the UE will select a resource from a set of Y candidate slots within a resource selection window [n+T1, n+T2]. The starting slot of the Y candidate slots is at slot ty0. If a UE performs contiguous based partial sensing, it monitors the slots between [TCPSst, TCPSend], with a problem of how to select TCPSst and TCPSend. [0148] It is possible that there is an overlap between the slots for contiguous partial sensing and the slots in periodic based partial sensing. Based on the sensing results from contiguous partial sensing and periodic partial sensing if available, UE selects the resource from the set of Y candidate slots within the resource selection window. After selecting the resource, the UE then performs re-evaluation and pre-emption if configured.), comprising: one or more processors, and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors (Fig. 16, Processing Device 1600 with Processor 1604, Memory 1606, [0166] …the processing system 1600 includes a processor 1604, a memory 1606, …. as shown in FIG. 16. The processor 1604 …. adapted to perform computations and/or other processing related tasks, and the memory 1606 …. adapted to store programming and/or instructions for execution by the processor 1604. In an embodiment, the memory 1606 includes a non-transitory computer readable medium. Supported by US 63171006 Figure 1 [0004-0006] UEs for LTE/NR sidelink (UE with Processor and memory is obvious), Figure 9, [0067-0070, 0081, 0086). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made to take the technique of contiguous based partial sensing for Aperiodic Traffic of YUE to the system of contiguous partial sensing for combined periodic and aperiodic traffic of HUAWEI in order to take the advantage of method for sidelink communications using UE coordination mechanism where the UE shares resource for the other UEs to use in their resource selection for efficient sensing and power consumption (YUE: [0002, 0003, 0154]). Regarding claim 1, the claim is interpreted mutatis mutandis of claim 9 and rejected for the same reason as set forth for claim 9. Regarding claim 17, the claim is interpreted mutatis mutandis of claim 9 and rejected for the same reason as set forth for claim 9. Regarding claim 4, HUAWEI teaches the method of claim 3, the data periodicity value determined at the UE is determined based on UE traffic ( Pages 2-3 Section 2.1.1.2 Remaining details on determination on k: For the case k is (pre-)configured, UE additionally monitors PBPS occasions in addition to monitoring the most recent partial sensing slot for a given traffic periodicity for a candidate resource, i.e. this means a UE can monitor the multiple most recent partial sensing slots per traffic periodicity. For example, assuming the resource pool provides reservation periods P 1 and P 2 , and setting k = most recent two ( k = 1 and k = 2 ), which means most two recent slots for each P 1 and P 2 need to be monitored, that is, for a given candidate slot t y S L , the corresponding partial sensing occasions are determined as t y - k × p r e s e r v e S L     for preserve = P1. P2 and k = most recent two, as shown in Figure 1.). Regarding claim 7, HUAWEI teaches the method of claim 1, wherein the one or more periods includes a first period of each of the one or more periodicities occurring prior to a restriction time for the one or more sensing occasions ( Page 2, Section 2.1.1.2 2.1.1.2 Remaining details on determination on k o By default, the UE monitors the most recent sensing occasion for a given reservation periodicity before the resource (re)selection trigger slot n or the first slot of the set of Y candidate slots subject to processing time restriction In periodic-based partial sensing for resource (re)selection, the UE at least monitors in periodic sensing occasion(s) for a given reservation periodicity before the first slot of the selected Y candidate slots subject to processing time restriction for the identification of candidate resources. o The processing time restriction includes Tproc,0SL and Tproc,1SL.). Regarding claim 8, HUAWEI teaches the method of claim 1, wherein PNG media_image3.png 21 65 media_image3.png Greyscale is equal to period definition data PNG media_image4.png 16 21 media_image4.png Greyscale used to identify sensing occasions for resource selection ( Pages 2-3 Section 2.1.1.2 Remaining details on determination on k For the case k is (pre-)configured, UE additionally monitors PBPS occasions in addition to monitoring the most recent partial sensing slot for a given traffic periodicity for a candidate resource, i.e. this means a UE can monitor the multiple most recent partial sensing slots per traffic periodicity. For example, assuming the resource pool provides reservation periods P 1 and P 2 , and setting k = most recent two ( k = 1 and k = 2 ), which means most two recent slots for each P 1 and P 2 need to be monitored, that is, for a given candidate slot t y S L , the corresponding partial sensing occasions are determined as t y - k × p r e s e r v e S L     for preserve = P1. P2 and k = most recent two, as shown in Figure 1). Regarding claim 12, the claim is interpreted and rejected for the same reason as set forth for claim 4. Regarding claim 15, the claim is interpreted and rejected for the same reason as set forth for claim 7. Regarding claim 16, the claim is interpreted and rejected for the same reason as set forth for claim 8. Regarding claim 20, the claim is interpreted and rejected for the same reason as set forth for claim 4. Regarding claim 21, the claim is interpreted and rejected for the same reason as set forth for claim 7. Regarding claim 22, the claim is interpreted and rejected for the same reason as set forth for claim 8. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure: Ko et al. (US 20240365344 A1), describing METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EXCLUDING RESOURCE ON BASIS OF PARTIAL SENSING OPERATION IN NR V2X Lin et al. (US 20230028098 A1), describing USER EQUIPMENT AND METHOD OF RESOURCE ALLOCATION OF SAME THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. 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 SHAH M RAHMAN whose telephone number is (571)272-8951. The examiner can normally be reached 9:30AM-5:30PM PST. 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, UN C CHO can be reached at 571-272-7919. 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. /SHAH M RAHMAN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2413
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Sep 28, 2023
Application Filed
Nov 29, 2024
Non-Final Rejection — §103
Mar 03, 2025
Examiner Interview Summary
Mar 03, 2025
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)
Mar 04, 2025
Response Filed
Apr 10, 2025
Final Rejection — §103
Jun 16, 2025
Request for Continued Examination
Jun 20, 2025
Response after Non-Final Action
Aug 29, 2025
Non-Final Rejection — §103
Nov 19, 2025
Interview Requested
Nov 26, 2025
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)
Nov 26, 2025
Examiner Interview Summary
Dec 01, 2025
Response Filed
Jan 28, 2026
Final Rejection — §103 (current)

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Prosecution Projections

5-6
Expected OA Rounds
81%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+26.4%)
2y 11m
Median Time to Grant
High
PTA Risk
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