Prosecution Insights
Last updated: July 05, 2026
Application No. 18/485,481

MEASUREMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS, AND TERMINAL

Final Rejection §102§103
Filed
Oct 12, 2023
Priority
Apr 12, 2021 — CN 202110391030.X +1 more
Examiner
PATEL, PARTHKUMAR
Art Unit
2479
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
Vivo Mobile Communication Co., Ltd.
OA Round
2 (Final)
78%
Grant Probability
Favorable
3-4
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 78% — above average
78%
Career Allowance Rate
605 granted / 776 resolved
+20.0% vs TC avg
Strong +24% interview lift
Without
With
+23.5%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 9m
Avg Prosecution
37 currently pending
Career history
837
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.6%
-39.4% vs TC avg
§103
90.1%
+50.1% vs TC avg
§102
4.8%
-35.2% vs TC avg
§112
2.1%
-37.9% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 776 resolved cases

Office Action

§102 §103
DETAILED ACTION Response to Amendment In response to amendment filed on 2/27/2026, claims 2, 10, 12 and 20 are cancelled, claims 1, 3, 11 and 13 are amended. Claims 1, 3- 9, 11, 13- 19 are pending for examinations. Response to Arguments Applicant's arguments filed in the remarks on 2/27/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. On page 14 lines last two lines to page 15 first three lines, applicant argues, “However, since measurement configuration and measurement execution are two completely different actions, Xu does not disclose the "executing the first operation in the first RRC procedure, and determining the state of the first RRC procedure based on the execution result obtained from the first operation" as described in this application”. Examiner disagrees and respectfully submits that as per the claim recitations, “executing, by a remote terminal, a first operation, wherein the first operation comprises executing measurement and evaluation related to relay selection or re-selection and executing or skipping executing a first sub-operation”; Xu teaches in [0122]… shown in FIG. 12A, before the remote UE satisfies the trigger event for the A3 event measurement report, the relay reselection event has been completed, and a new connection has been established with a new relay UE. FIG. 12B shows that the remote UE is still served by the current relay UE when the remote UE satisfies the trigger event for the A3 event measurement report. In the above case, the remote UE may be triggered to perform a link selection strategy, for example, comparing the PC5 link of the currently connected relay UE with the neighboring cell Uu link. Hence measurement configuration and measurement execution are not two completely different actions. On page 15, second paragraph of remarks applicant argues, “since Xu does not disclose the "executing the first operation in the first RRC procedure, and determining the state of the first RRC procedure based on the execution result obtained from the first operation", Xu also does not disclose the "determining the state of the RRC connection establishment procedure / RRC connection resume procedure / RRC connection re-establishment procedure based on the execution result obtained from the first operation during the RRC connection establishment procedure / RRC connection resume procedure / RRC connection re-establishment procedure".” Examiner disagrees and respectfully submits that as per discussed above how Xu does disclose the "executing the first operation in the first RRC procedure, and determining the state of the first RRC procedure based on the execution result obtained from the first operation; hence Xu also does disclose the "determining the state of the RRC connection establishment procedure / RRC connection resume procedure / RRC connection re-establishment procedure based on the execution result obtained from the first operation during the RRC connection establishment procedure / RRC connection resume procedure / RRC connection re-establishment procedure; in context with [0137, 0043] refer to [0145] regarding Fig. 15….When the eNB informs the remote UE of the measurement configuration message by using the measConfig cell carried in the RRCConnectionReconfiguration message, in the cell table, SupportERelay (1 bit) is additionally used to indicate whether the cell supports the UE-to-Network Relay, “1” indicates that the cell supports the UE-to-Network Relay, and “0” indicates that the cell does not support the UE-to-Network Relay. In addition, remote Thresh needs to be used to inform the cell of the threshold condition configured for the remote UE. Claims 3- 9, 13- 19 are dependent claims of independent Claims. At least for the same reasons set forth in response to Applicant’s arguments with respect to the independent claim above, claims 3- 9, 13- 19 remain rejected 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. Claim(s) 1, 11 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102 (a)(1) as being anticipated by Xu et al. (US Pub. No. 2019/0313315 A1). Regarding claim 1, Xu teaches a measurement method, comprising: executing, by a remote terminal, a first operation, wherein the first operation comprises executing measurement and evaluation related to relay selection or re-selection and executing or skipping executing a first sub-operation; see [0122]… shown in FIG. 12A, before the remote UE satisfies the trigger event for the A3 event measurement report, the relay reselection event has been completed, and a new connection has been established with a new relay UE. FIG. 12B shows that the remote UE is still served by the current relay UE when the remote UE satisfies the trigger event for the A3 event measurement report. In the above case, the remote UE may be triggered to perform a link selection strategy, for example, comparing the PC5 link of the currently connected relay UE with the neighboring cell Uu link; wherein the first sub-operation comprises measurement and evaluation related to cell selection or re-selection; see [0137, 0043, 0145, 0148- 0157]. wherein the first operation is executed in a first radio resource control (RRC) procedure, and the method further comprises: determining a state of the first RRC procedure based on an execution result obtained from the first operation; already discussed above see [0145, 0148- 0157]; wherein the first RRC procedure comprises one of the following procedures: RRC connection establishment procedure; RRC connection resume procedure; and RRC connection re-establishment procedure; Xu see [0137, 0043, 0145, 0148- 0157]. Regarding claim 11, Xu teaches terminal comprising a processor, a memory, and a program or instructions stored in the memory and capable of running on the processor, wherein when the program or instructions are executed by the processor, following steps are implemented: executing a first operation, wherein the first operation comprises executing measurement and evaluation related to relay selection or re-selection and executing or skipping executing a first sub-operation; see [0122]… shown in FIG. 12A, before the remote UE(i.e. terminal) satisfies the trigger event for the A3 event measurement report, the relay reselection event has been completed, and a new connection has been established with a new relay UE. FIG. 12B shows that the remote UE is still served by the current relay UE when the remote UE satisfies the trigger event for the A3 event measurement report. In the above case, the remote UE may be triggered to perform a link selection strategy, for example, comparing the PC5 link of the currently connected relay UE with the neighboring cell Uu link; wherein the first sub-operation comprises measurement and evaluation related to cell selection or re-selection; see [0137, 0043, 0145, 0148- 0157]. wherein the first operation is executed in a first radio resource control (RRC) procedure, and the method further comprises: determining a state of the first RRC procedure based on an execution result obtained from the first operation; already discussed above see [0145, 0148- 0157]; wherein the first RRC procedure comprises one of the following procedures: RRC connection establishment procedure; RRC connection resume procedure; and RRC connection re-establishment procedure; Xu see [0137, 0043, 0145, 0148- 0157]. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 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. 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. Claim(s) 3- 9 and 13- 19 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Xu et al. (US Pub. No. 2019/0313315 A1) in view of Chang et al. (WO 2019/214606 A1). Regarding claim 3, Xu teaches as per claim 1, wherein the determining a state of the first RRC procedure based on an execution result obtained from the first operation comprises: in a case that the first operation comprises executing the measurement and evaluation related to relay selection or re-selection and skipping executing the first sub-operation and that a relay selection or re-selection condition has been met, determining that failure of the first RRC procedure occurs; or in a case that the first operation comprises executing the measurement and evaluation related to relay selection or re-selection and executing the first sub-operation and that at least one of the following has been met: cell selection or re-selection condition and relay selection or re-selection condition, determining that failure of the first RRC procedure occurs; see [0137, 0043, 0145, 0148- 0157]; but fails to state about determining that failure of the first RRC procedure occurs; however Chang states as indicating that the RRC connection is released to the NAS layer and the reason for the release is RRC connection failure. It may also be described as indicating to the NAS layer that the RRC connection has been established, optionally including establishing the reason for the RRC connection re-establishment fallback or the RRC connection re-establishment failure. It can also be described as requesting the establishment of a new RRC connection to the NAS layer. The "establishment" can also be expressed as "update"; see page 10 last fourth paragraph. It would have been obvious to one with ordinary skill, in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to consider the teachings of Chang with the teachings of Xu to make system more reliable. Regarding claim 4, Xu in view of Chang teaches as per claim 3, wherein in a case of determining that failure of the first RRC procedure occurs, the method further comprises: indicating, by an RRC layer of the remote terminal, first information to a non-access stratum (NAS) layer, wherein content of the first information comprises at least one of the following: failure of the first RRC procedure; and reason for the failure of the first RRC procedure; Chang states as indicating that the RRC connection is released to the NAS layer and the reason for the release is RRC connection failure. It may also be described as indicating to the NAS layer that the RRC connection has been established, optionally including establishing the reason for the RRC connection re-establishment fallback or the RRC connection re-establishment failure. It can also be described as requesting the establishment of a new RRC connection to the NAS layer. The "establishment" can also be expressed as "update"; see page 10 last fourth paragraph. Regarding claim 5, Xu in view of Chang teaches as per claim 4, wherein the method further comprises: indicating, by the NAS layer, the RRC layer to trigger a resume operation corresponding to the failure of the first RRC procedure, wherein the resume operation comprises one of the following: initiating a second RRC procedure with a cell that meets the cell selection or re-selection condition; initiating a second RRC procedure with a relay terminal that meets the relay selection or re-selection condition; and determining, based on first measurement information, to initiate a second RRC procedure with a cell that meets the cell selection or re-selection condition or initiate a second RRC procedure with a relay terminal that meets the relay selection or re-selection condition, wherein the first measurement information comprises at least one of the following: first measurement result of Uu link and second measurement result of sidelink; Chang states as indicating that the RRC connection is released to the NAS layer and the reason for the release is RRC connection failure. It may also be described as indicating to the NAS layer that the RRC connection has been established, optionally including establishing the reason for the RRC connection re-establishment fallback or the RRC connection re-establishment failure. It can also be described as requesting the establishment of a new RRC connection to the NAS layer. The "establishment" can also be expressed as "update"; see page 10 last fourth paragraph. Regarding claim 6, Xu in view of Chang teaches as per claim 5, further comprising: remaining, by the remote terminal, in an RRC state before initiating the second RRC procedure, wherein the second RRC procedure is the same as the first RRC procedure; or entering, by the remote terminal, an idle state before initiating the second RRC procedure, wherein the second RRC procedure is an RRC connection establishment procedure; Chang as indicating that the RRC connection is released to the NAS layer and the reason for the release is RRC connection failure. It may also be described as indicating to the NAS layer that the RRC connection has been established, optionally including establishing the reason for the RRC connection re-establishment fallback or the RRC connection re-establishment failure. It can also be described as requesting the establishment of a new RRC connection to the NAS layer. The "establishment" can also be expressed as "update". Regarding claim 7, Xu in view of Chang teaches as per claim 5, wherein the determining, based on first measurement information, to initiate a second RRC procedure with a cell that meets the cell selection or re-selection condition or initiate a second RRC procedure with a relay terminal that meets the relay selection or re-selection condition comprises: in a case that the first measurement result is greater than the second measurement result, initiating the second RRC procedure with the cell that meets the cell selection or re-selection condition; and in a case that the first measurement result is less than the second measurement result, initiating the second RRC procedure with the relay terminal that meets the relay selection or re-selection condition; see claim 5’s citations second measurement result is in “OR” limitations. Regarding claim 8, Xu in view of Chang teaches as per claim 5, wherein the determining, based on first measurement information, to initiate a second RRC procedure with a cell that meets the cell selection or re-selection condition or initiate a second RRC procedure with a relay terminal that meets the relay selection or re-selection condition comprises: determining, based on the first measurement information and second information, to initiate the second RRC procedure with the cell that meets the cell selection or re-selection condition or initiate the second RRC procedure with the relay terminal that meets the relay selection or re-selection condition; wherein the second information comprises at least one of the following: first threshold related to Uu link and second threshold related to sidelink; Xu see [0043]... the remote UE is in the coverage of cell A and has established a PC5 link with a relay UE, while the remote UE is moving from cell A to cell B. At this time, the quality of the PC5 (sidelik) link between the remote UE and the current relay UE may be decreased (i.e. threshold should be there to compare about decreasing event), and the quality of the Uu link of the cell A may also decreased, and the quality of the Uu link of an adjacent cell B may be increased. The measurement result of the remote UE may satisfy a relay reselection condition (the relay reselection refers to a case that the remote UE needs to reselect the relay UE due to the radio link quality or other reasons after establishing a connection with a relay UE) and a cell handover condition…. Regarding claim 9, Xu in view of Chang teaches as per claim 8, wherein in a case that the second information comprises the first threshold, the determining, based on the first measurement information and second information, to initiate the second RRC procedure with the cell that meets the cell selection or re-selection condition or initiate the second RRC procedure with the relay terminal that meets the relay selection or re-selection condition comprises at least one of the following: in a case that the first measurement result is greater than the first threshold, initiating the second RRC procedure with the cell that meets the cell selection or re-selection condition; and in a case that the first measurement result is less than the first threshold, initiating the second RRC procedure with the relay terminal that meets the relay selection or re-selection condition; or in a case that the second information comprises the second threshold, the determining, based on the first measurement information and second information, to initiate the second RRC procedure with the cell that meets the cell selection or re-selection condition or initiate the second RRC procedure with the relay terminal that meets the relay selection or re-selection condition comprises at least one of the following: in a case that the second measurement result is greater than the second threshold, initiating the second RRC procedure with the relay terminal that meets the relay selection or re-selection condition; and in a case that the second measurement result is less than the second threshold, initiating the second RRC procedure with the cell that meets the cell selection or re-selection condition; or in a case that the second information comprises the first threshold and the second threshold, the determining, based on the first measurement information and second information, to initiate the second RRC procedure with the cell that meets the cell selection or re-selection condition or initiate the second RRC procedure with the relay terminal that meets the relay selection or re-selection condition comprises one of the following: initiating the second RRC procedure with the cell that meets the cell selection or re-selection condition in a first case, and initiating the second RRC procedure with the relay terminal that meets the relay selection or re-selection condition in a second case, wherein the first case comprises the first measurement result being greater than the first threshold and the second measurement result being less than the second threshold, and the second case is a case other than the first case; and initiating the second RRC procedure with the relay terminal that meets the relay selection or re-selection condition in a third case, and initiating the second RRC procedure with the cell that meets the cell selection or re-selection condition in a fourth case, wherein the third case comprises the first measurement result being less than the first threshold and the second measurement result being greater than the second threshold, and the fourth case is a case other than the third case; Xu see [0043]…. remote UE is in the coverage of cell A and has established a PC5 link with a relay UE, while the remote UE is moving from cell A to cell B. At this time, the quality of the PC5 link between the remote UE and the current relay UE may be decreased, and the quality of the Uu link of the cell A may also decreased, and the quality of the Uu link of an adjacent cell B may be increased. The measurement result of the remote UE may satisfy a relay reselection condition (the relay reselection refers to a case that the remote UE needs to reselect the relay UE due to the radio link quality or other reasons after establishing a connection with a relay UE) and a cell handover condition. A scheme for determining a path switching manner of the remote UE especially in this case is provided in this embodiment. For example, it is determined whether to switch from a PC5 link to another PC5 link of the cell A or the cell B, or to switch from the PC5 link to a Uu link of the cell B. In different situations, the remote UE performing different link switching may have different effects on service continuity. By performing communication link selection according to the present embodiment, for example, the remote UE can be better served in terms of service continuity, link switching power consumption, and delay. In the above example, the cell may be a macro cell or a small cell. Regarding claim 13, Xu teaches as per claim 11, wherein the determining a state of the first RRC procedure based on an execution result obtained from the first operation comprises: in a case that the first operation comprises executing the measurement and evaluation related to relay selection or re-selection and skipping executing the first sub-operation and that a relay selection or re-selection condition has been met, determining that failure of the first RRC procedure occurs; or in a case that the first operation comprises executing the measurement and evaluation related to relay selection or re-selection and executing the first sub-operation and that at least one of the following has been met: cell selection or re-selection condition and relay selection or re-selection condition, determining that failure of the first RRC procedure occurs; see [0137, 0043, 0145, 0148- 0157]; but fails to state about determining that failure of the first RRC procedure occurs; however Chang states as indicating that the RRC connection is released to the NAS layer and the reason for the release is RRC connection failure. It may also be described as indicating to the NAS layer that the RRC connection has been established, optionally including establishing the reason for the RRC connection re-establishment fallback or the RRC connection re-establishment failure. It can also be described as requesting the establishment of a new RRC connection to the NAS layer. The "establishment" can also be expressed as "update"; see page 10 last fourth paragraph. It would have been obvious to one with ordinary skill, in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to consider the teachings of Chang with the teachings of Xu to make system more reliable. Regarding claim 14, Xu in view of Chang teaches as per claim 13, wherein in a case of determining that failure of the first RRC procedure occurs, the method further comprises: indicating, by an RRC layer of the remote terminal, first information to a non-access stratum (NAS) layer, wherein content of the first information comprises at least one of the following: failure of the first RRC procedure; and reason for the failure of the first RRC procedure; Chang states as indicating that the RRC connection is released to the NAS layer and the reason for the release is RRC connection failure. It may also be described as indicating to the NAS layer that the RRC connection has been established, optionally including establishing the reason for the RRC connection re-establishment fallback or the RRC connection re-establishment failure. It can also be described as requesting the establishment of a new RRC connection to the NAS layer. The "establishment" can also be expressed as "update"; see page 10 last fourth paragraph. Regarding claim 15, Xu in view of Chang teaches as per claim 14, wherein the method further comprises: indicating, by the NAS layer, the RRC layer to trigger a resume operation corresponding to the failure of the first RRC procedure, wherein the resume operation comprises one of the following: initiating a second RRC procedure with a cell that meets the cell selection or re-selection condition; initiating a second RRC procedure with a relay terminal that meets the relay selection or re-selection condition; and determining, based on first measurement information, to initiate a second RRC procedure with a cell that meets the cell selection or re-selection condition or initiate a second RRC procedure with a relay terminal that meets the relay selection or re-selection condition, wherein the first measurement information comprises at least one of the following: first measurement result of Uu link and second measurement result of sidelink; Chang states as indicating that the RRC connection is released to the NAS layer and the reason for the release is RRC connection failure. It may also be described as indicating to the NAS layer that the RRC connection has been established, optionally including establishing the reason for the RRC connection re-establishment fallback or the RRC connection re-establishment failure. It can also be described as requesting the establishment of a new RRC connection to the NAS layer. The "establishment" can also be expressed as "update"; see page 10 last fourth paragraph. Regarding claim 16, Xu in view of Chang teaches as per claim 15, further comprising: remaining, by the remote terminal, in an RRC state before initiating the second RRC procedure, wherein the second RRC procedure is the same as the first RRC procedure; or entering, by the remote terminal, an idle state before initiating the second RRC procedure, wherein the second RRC procedure is an RRC connection establishment procedure; Chang as indicating that the RRC connection is released to the NAS layer and the reason for the release is RRC connection failure. It may also be described as indicating to the NAS layer that the RRC connection has been established, optionally including establishing the reason for the RRC connection re-establishment fallback or the RRC connection re-establishment failure. It can also be described as requesting the establishment of a new RRC connection to the NAS layer. The "establishment" can also be expressed as "update". Regarding claim 17, Xu in view of Chang teaches as per claim 15, wherein the determining, based on first measurement information, to initiate a second RRC procedure with a cell that meets the cell selection or re-selection condition or initiate a second RRC procedure with a relay terminal that meets the relay selection or re-selection condition comprises: in a case that the first measurement result is greater than the second measurement result, initiating the second RRC procedure with the cell that meets the cell selection or re-selection condition; and in a case that the first measurement result is less than the second measurement result, initiating the second RRC procedure with the relay terminal that meets the relay selection or re-selection condition; see claim 15’s citations second measurement result is in “OR” limitations. Regarding claim 18, Xu in view of Chang teaches as per claim 15, wherein the determining, based on first measurement information, to initiate a second RRC procedure with a cell that meets the cell selection or re-selection condition or initiate a second RRC procedure with a relay terminal that meets the relay selection or re-selection condition comprises: determining, based on the first measurement information and second information, to initiate the second RRC procedure with the cell that meets the cell selection or re-selection condition or initiate the second RRC procedure with the relay terminal that meets the relay selection or re-selection condition; wherein the second information comprises at least one of the following: first threshold related to Uu link and second threshold related to sidelink; Xu see [0043]... the remote UE is in the coverage of cell A and has established a PC5 link with a relay UE, while the remote UE is moving from cell A to cell B. At this time, the quality of the PC5 (sidelik) link between the remote UE and the current relay UE may be decreased (i.e. threshold should be there to compare about decreasing event), and the quality of the Uu link of the cell A may also decreased, and the quality of the Uu link of an adjacent cell B may be increased. The measurement result of the remote UE may satisfy a relay reselection condition (the relay reselection refers to a case that the remote UE needs to reselect the relay UE due to the radio link quality or other reasons after establishing a connection with a relay UE) and a cell handover condition…. Regarding claim 19, Xu in view of Chang teaches as per claim 18, wherein in a case that the second information comprises the first threshold, the determining, based on the first measurement information and second information, to initiate the second RRC procedure with the cell that meets the cell selection or re-selection condition or initiate the second RRC procedure with the relay terminal that meets the relay selection or re-selection condition comprises at least one of the following: in a case that the first measurement result is greater than the first threshold, initiating the second RRC procedure with the cell that meets the cell selection or re-selection condition; and in a case that the first measurement result is less than the first threshold, initiating the second RRC procedure with the relay terminal that meets the relay selection or re-selection condition; or in a case that the second information comprises the second threshold, the determining, based on the first measurement information and second information, to initiate the second RRC procedure with the cell that meets the cell selection or re-selection condition or initiate the second RRC procedure with the relay terminal that meets the relay selection or re-selection condition comprises at least one of the following: in a case that the second measurement result is greater than the second threshold, initiating the second RRC procedure with the relay terminal that meets the relay selection or re-selection condition; and in a case that the second measurement result is less than the second threshold, initiating the second RRC procedure with the cell that meets the cell selection or re-selection condition; or in a case that the second information comprises the first threshold and the second threshold, the determining, based on the first measurement information and second information, to initiate the second RRC procedure with the cell that meets the cell selection or re-selection condition or initiate the second RRC procedure with the relay terminal that meets the relay selection or re-selection condition comprises one of the following: initiating the second RRC procedure with the cell that meets the cell selection or re-selection condition in a first case, and initiating the second RRC procedure with the relay terminal that meets the relay selection or re-selection condition in a second case, wherein the first case comprises the first measurement result being greater than the first threshold and the second measurement result being less than the second threshold, and the second case is a case other than the first case; and initiating the second RRC procedure with the relay terminal that meets the relay selection or re-selection condition in a third case, and initiating the second RRC procedure with the cell that meets the cell selection or re-selection condition in a fourth case, wherein the third case comprises the first measurement result being less than the first threshold and the second measurement result being greater than the second threshold, and the fourth case is a case other than the third case; Xu see [0043]…. remote UE is in the coverage of cell A and has established a PC5 link with a relay UE, while the remote UE is moving from cell A to cell B. At this time, the quality of the PC5 link between the remote UE and the current relay UE may be decreased, and the quality of the Uu link of the cell A may also decreased, and the quality of the Uu link of an adjacent cell B may be increased. The measurement result of the remote UE may satisfy a relay reselection condition (the relay reselection refers to a case that the remote UE needs to reselect the relay UE due to the radio link quality or other reasons after establishing a connection with a relay UE) and a cell handover condition. A scheme for determining a path switching manner of the remote UE especially in this case is provided in this embodiment. For example, it is determined whether to switch from a PC5 link to another PC5 link of the cell A or the cell B, or to switch from the PC5 link to a Uu link of the cell B. In different situations, the remote UE performing different link switching may have different effects on service continuity. By performing communication link selection according to the present embodiment, for example, the remote UE can be better served in terms of service continuity, link switching power consumption, and delay. In the above example, the cell may be a macro cell or a small cell. Conclusion 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 PARTH PATEL whose telephone number is (571)270-1970. The examiner can normally be reached 7 a.m. -7 p.m. 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, Jae Y. Lee can be reached at 5712703936. 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. PARTH PATEL Primary Examiner Art Unit 2479 /PARTH PATEL/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2479
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Oct 12, 2023
Application Filed
Dec 02, 2025
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102, §103
Feb 27, 2026
Response Filed
May 07, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §102, §103 (current)

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Patent 12641593
RESOURCE MULTIPLEXING METHOD AND DEVICE THEREOF FOR DIRECT DISTANCE MEASUREMENT
2y 7m to grant Granted May 26, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

3-4
Expected OA Rounds
78%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+23.5%)
2y 9m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
PTA Risk
Based on 776 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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