Prosecution Insights
Last updated: August 18, 2026
Application No. 18/491,205

CALIBRATION OF RADIO FREQUENCY FOR SENSING MEASUREMENT INFORMATION

Final Rejection §103
Filed
Oct 20, 2023
Examiner
NGUYEN, THUONG
Art Unit
2416
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
Qualcomm Incorporated
OA Round
2 (Final)
68%
Grant Probability
Favorable
3-4
OA Rounds
1y 2m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 68% — above average
68%
Career Allowance Rate
452 granted / 663 resolved
+10.2% vs TC avg
Strong +32% interview lift
Without
With
+32.1%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
4y 0m
Avg Prosecution
47 currently pending
Career history
726
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
17.4%
-22.6% vs TC avg
§103
50.7%
+10.7% vs TC avg
§102
15.8%
-24.2% vs TC avg
§112
15.4%
-24.6% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 663 resolved cases

Office Action

§103
DETAILED ACTION The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status. This action is responsive to the Remark filed on 6/9/26. Claim(s) 1, 7, 23-24 was/were amended. Claim(s) 14-22 & 27-30 is/are canceled. Claim(s) 1-13 & 23-26 is/are presented for examination. Claim Objections Claim(s) 1-13 & 23-26 is/are unclear to the examiner; what does it mean by stating “wherein the set of attributes comprises one or more material attributes associated with a material of the RF-S calibration target, one or more spatial attributes associated with the RF-S calibration target or both, and ”? The claim languages are not clear what are the “material attribute” and “spatial attribute”? What exactly the Applicant trying to accomplished”? how is the RF-S associated with the material attributes or spatial attributes? Please clarify Claim(s) 1-13 & 23-26 is/are unclear to the examiner; what does it mean by stating “wherein the measurement information is based on one or more measurements of one or more RF-S reflections off of the RF-S calibration target”? The claim languages are not very clear what are the “RF-S reflections off of the RF-S calibration target”? to do what? What exactly is the claimed invention? Please clarify Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status. The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action: A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102 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. Claim(s) 1-4, 8-13 & 27, 29-30is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Liang, U.S. Patent/Pub. No. US 2025/0119883 A1 in view of Corgan, U.S. Patent/Pub. No. US 2024/0323719 A1. As to claim 1, Liang-Corgan teaches a method of operating a communications device, comprising: obtaining a set of attributes associated with a radio frequency for sensing (RF-S) calibration target (Liang, figure 2; page 4, paragraph 53; i.e., [0053] During a process of receiving a signal, if the radio frequency module of the sensing device may perform the waveform adjusting on a received sensing signal, a waveform adjustment parameter directly affects a range of amplitude of an output signal, and the waveform adjustment parameter may be adjusted adaptively according to different signals. If different waveform adjustment parameters based on the sensing signal. adjustment parameters to determine a sensing result may affect the accuracy of the sensing result); obtaining measurement information associated with a RF-S calibration procedure between a first set of wireless sensing nodes and the RF-S calibration target (Liang, figure 2; page 4, paragraph 53; i.e., [0053] During a process of receiving a signal, if the radio frequency module of the sensing device may perform the waveform adjusting on a received sensing signal, a waveform adjustment parameter directly affects a range of amplitude of an output signal, and the waveform adjustment parameter may be adjusted adaptively according to different signals. If different waveform adjustment parameters based on the sensing signal. adjustment parameters to determine a sensing result may affect the accuracy of the sensing result); and determining a set of RF-S calibration compensations based on the measurement information and the set of attributes (Liang, figure 2; page 4, paragraph 53 & 73; page 5, paragraph 74-75; i.e., [0053] During a process of receiving a signal, if the radio frequency module of the sensing device may perform the waveform adjusting on a received sensing signal, a waveform adjustment parameter directly affects a range of amplitude of an output signal, and the waveform adjustment parameter may be adjusted adaptively according to different signals. If different waveform adjustment parameters are used to perform waveform adjusting on a same sensing signal, obtained channel state information will be different when the channel state information is estimated based on the sensing signal. Further, using the channel state information estimated by the sensing signal adjusted by different waveform adjustment parameters to determine a sensing result may affect the accuracy of the sensing result; [0073] performing waveform adjusting on the sensing signal by adopting a second waveform adjustment parameter). But Liang failed to teach the claim limitation wherein the set of attributes comprises one or more material attributes associated with a material of the RF-S calibration target, one or more spatial attributes associated with the RF-S calibration target or both, and wherein the measurement information is based on one or more measurements of one or more RF-S reflections off of the RF-S calibration target. However, Corgan teaches the limitation wherein the set of attributes comprises one or more material attributes associated with a material of the RF-S calibration target, one or more spatial attributes associated with the RF-S calibration target or both (Corgan, figure 2; page 1, paragraph 19; page 6, paragraph 81; i.e., [0019] frequency of the RF signal, a power level of the RF signal, a spatial mode of the RF signal, or a resource allocation for the RF signal; [0081] the material MLP 502 outputting (based on embedding in the material MLP 502) properties of a material at the positions 508 ( e.g., reflectivity, absorption, material/object orientation, and/or one or more other properties),), and wherein the measurement information is based on one or more measurements of one or more RF-S reflections off of the RF-S calibration target (Corgan, figure 2; page 1, paragraph 11; page 5, paragraph 72; i.e., [0011] The positions along the ray include a reflection point at which the first segment and the second segment meet. [0072] the RF-RF model to determine a reflectance (e.g., a reflection coefficient) P; associated with the ray (208). a first angle 01 characterizing the direction of the first segment du1 and a second angle <p 1 characterizing the direction of the second segment dv 1, and the RF-RF model can be used to determine (e.g., a value of) a corresponding reflectance p). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective date of the claimed invention to modify Liang to substitute RF-RF model from Corgan for modern radio frequency from Liang to optimize RF communication (Corgan, page 1, paragraph 3). As to claim 2, Liang-Corgan teaches the method as recited in claim 1, wherein the communications device corresponds to a network component or a first wireless sensing node from the set of wireless sensing nodes or a second wireless sensing node that does not belong to the set of wireless sensing nodes (Liang, figure 2). As to claim 3, Liang-Corgan teaches the method as recited in claim 1, wherein the first set of wireless sensing nodes comprises one or more user equipment (UEs), one or more wireless network components, or a combination thereof (Liang, figure 2). As to claim 4, Liang-Corgan teaches the method as recited in claim 1, wherein transmitting the set of RF-S calibration compensations to a second set of wireless sensing nodes (Liang, figure 2; page 1, paragraph 6; i.e., [0006] performing waveform adjusting on the sensing signal by adopting a waveform adjustment parameter). As to claim 8, Liang-Corgan teaches the method as recited in claim 1, wherein the set of RF-S calibration compensations is further based on at least one location of at least one wireless sensing node from the first set of wireless sensing nodes (Liang, figure 2; page 3, paragraph 48; i.e., [0048] detect a parameter of a physical environment, so as to achieve environmental sensing, such as target positioning, motion recognition). As to claim 9, Liang-Corgan teaches the method as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one attribute from the set of attributes is associated with a validity period that designates when the at least one attribute is permitted for RF-S calibration compensation determinations (Liang, figure 2; page 5, paragraph 100; i.e., [0100] a period of the at least one time window). As to claim 10, Liang-Corgan teaches the method as recited in claim 1, wherein the set of attributes is received via assistance data, or wherein the set of attributes is received via assistance information signaling, or wherein the set of attributes is received via broadcast, or any combination thereof (Liang, figure 2). As to claim 11, Liang-Corgan teaches the method as recited in claim 1, further comprising: transmitting a RF-S calibration target attribute request, wherein the set of attributes is received in response to the RF-S calibration target attribute request (Liang, figure 2). As to claim 12, Liang-Corgan teaches the method as recited in claim 1, wherein the set of attributes is obtained in association with a capability exchange of a registration procedure of the RF-S calibration target with the communications device (Liang, figure 2; page 3, paragraph 48; i.e., [0048] detect a parameter of a physical environment, so as to achieve environmental sensing, such as target positioning, motion recognition). As to claim 13, Liang-Corgan teaches the method as recited in claim 1, wherein the RF-S calibration procedure is monostatic and the first set of wireless sensing nodes comprises a single wireless sensing node, or wherein the RF-S calibration procedure is bistatic and the first set of wireless sensing nodes comprises multiple wireless sensing nodes (Liang, figure 2). Claim(s) 27, 28-30 is/are directed to a device claims and they do not teach or further define over the limitations recited in claim(s) 14, 7-9. Therefore, claim(s) 27, 28-30 is/are also rejected for similar reasons set forth in claim(s) 14, 7-9. Claim(s) 5-7 & 28 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Liang, U.S. Patent/Pub. No. US 2025/0119883 A1 in view of Corgan, U.S. Patent/Pub. No. US 2024/0323719 A1, and further in view of Hur, U.S. Patent/Pub. No. US 2007/0019604 A1. As to claim 5, Liang-Corgan teaches the method as recited in claim 4. But Liang-Corgan failed to teach the claim limitation wherein the first set of wireless sensing nodes and the second set of wireless sensing nodes overlap at least in part. However, Hur teaches the limitation wherein the first set of wireless sensing nodes and the second set of wireless sensing nodes overlap at least in part (Hur, page 1, paragraph 12-14; i.e., [0014] the sensor nodes existing in the non-overlapping area, and the sensor nodes existing in the overlapping area in a third section, and the G W transfers the beacon and the query received from the CH to a neighboring). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective date of the claimed invention to modify Liang-Corgan to substitute cluster-based hierarchy structure from Hur for multiplex hardware structure from Liang-Corgan to preventing interferences between neighboring clusters, without using different frequency channels or spread codes for each cluster (Hur, page 1, paragraph 11). As to claim 6, Liang-Corgan teaches the method as recited in claim 4. But Liang-Corgan failed to teach the claim limitation wherein the first set of wireless sensing nodes and the second set of wireless sensing nodes are non-overlapping. However, Hur teaches the limitation wherein the first set of wireless sensing nodes and the second set of wireless sensing nodes are non-overlapping (Liang, figure 2; page 4, paragraph 53; i.e., [0053] During a process of receiving a signal, if the radio frequency module of the sensing device may perform the waveform adjusting on a received sensing signal, a waveform adjustment parameter directly affects a range of amplitude of an output signal, and the waveform adjustment parameter may be adjusted adaptively according to different signals. If different waveform adjustment parameters based on the sensing signal. different waveform adjustment parameters to determine a sensing result may affect the accuracy of the sensing result). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective date of the claimed invention to modify Liang-Corgan to substitute cluster-based hierarchy structure from Hur for multiplex hardware structure from Liang-Corgan to preventing interferences between neighboring clusters, without using different frequency channels or spread codes for each cluster (Hur, page 1, paragraph 11). As to claim 7, Liang-Corgan teaches the method as recited in claim 1. But Liang-Corgan failed to teach the claim limitation wherein the set of attributes comprises: a location of the RF-S calibration target, or a shape of the RF-S calibration target, or a size of the RF-S calibration target, or a material composition of an external surface of the RF-S calibration target, or an orientation of the RF-S calibration target, or a mobility status of the RF-S calibration target, or a speed of the RF-S calibration target, or a trajectory of the RF-S calibration target, of any combination thereof. However, Hur teaches the limitation wherein the set of attributes comprises: a location of the RF-S calibration target, or a shape of the RF-S calibration target, or a size of the RF-S calibration target, or a material composition of an external surface of the RF-S calibration target, or an orientation of the RF-S calibration target, or a mobility status of the RF-S calibration target, or a speed of the RF-S calibration target, or a trajectory of the RF-S calibration target of any combination thereof (Hur, figure 9). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective date of the claimed invention to modify Liang-Corgan to substitute cluster-based hierarchy structure from Hur for multiplex hardware structure from Liang-Corgan to preventing interferences between neighboring clusters, without using different frequency channels or spread codes for each cluster (Hur, page 1, paragraph 11). Claim(s) 27, 28-30 is/are directed to a device claims and they do not teach or further define over the limitations recited in claim(s) 14, 7-9. Therefore, claim(s) 27, 28-30 is/are also rejected for similar reasons set forth in claim(s) 14, 7-9. Response to Arguments Applicant's arguments with respect to claim(s) 1-13 & 23-26 have been considered but are moot in view of the new ground(s) of rejection. Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a). A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any extension fee 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 date of this final action. Listing of Relevant Arts Raghavan, U.S. Patent/Pub. No. US 20210321415 A1 discloses error correction and physical location. Krapf, U.S. Patent/Pub. No. US 20170261444 A1 discloses material property and error indication, correction factors. Contact Information The present application is being examined under the pre-AIA first to invent provisions. THUONG NGUYEN whose telephone number is (571)272-3864. The examiner can normally be reached on Monday-Friday 9:00-6:00. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Noel Beharry can be reached on 571-270-5630. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished applications is available through Private PAIR only. For more information about the PAIR system, see http://pair-direct.uspto.gov. Should you have questions on access to the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to the automated information system, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /THUONG NGUYEN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2416
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Prosecution Timeline

Oct 20, 2023
Application Filed
Mar 09, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103
Jun 09, 2026
Response Filed
Jul 08, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §103 (current)

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Prosecution Projections

3-4
Expected OA Rounds
68%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+32.1%)
4y 0m (~1y 2m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
PTA Risk
Based on 663 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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