Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/609,903

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING DATA ASSOCIATED WITH AT LEAST ONE RADIO SIGNAL SOURCE

Non-Final OA §102
Filed
Mar 19, 2024
Examiner
LIU, HARRY K
Art Unit
3648
Tech Center
3600 — Transportation & Electronic Commerce
Assignee
Robert Bosch GmbH
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
91%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
2y 7m
To Grant
96%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 91% — above average
91%
Career Allow Rate
1186 granted / 1303 resolved
+39.0% vs TC avg
Minimal +5% lift
Without
With
+5.0%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 7m
Avg Prosecution
25 currently pending
Career history
1328
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
7.3%
-32.7% vs TC avg
§103
31.4%
-8.6% vs TC avg
§102
36.6%
-3.4% vs TC avg
§112
18.7%
-21.3% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1303 resolved cases

Office Action

§102
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 . 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)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention. Claim(s) 1-11 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Dai (US-20240201356-A1). Regarding claims 1, 9, Dai discloses a computer-implemented method (Fig. 3 for computer, Fig. 6 for method), for processing data associated with at least one radio signal source (wireless node 502, Fig. 5A-5B or wireless node 602 in Fig 6), said method comprising: receiving at least one multi-path received signal associated with the radio signal source (signal reflected through RIS controller 504 indicates signal source and signal component which is also used for differentiating path)(see paragraph 0085 for RIS controller, paragraph 0093 using TOA, first order and second order reflected signals to differentiate signal sources and paths), comprising the signal components which are associated with different signal paths, determining at least one property (signal source and path) of at least one of the signal components, providing position information, which characterizes the at least one position of an apparatus receiving the at least one multi-path received signal, and determining a position of the at least one radio signal source based on the at least one property of at least one of the signal components and the position information (calculate a location of target object based on reflected signals and sensing configuration, step 1308, Fig. 13). Regarding claim 2, Dai discloses method according to claim 1, comprising: a) determining an angle of incidence (calculate AOA, paragraphs 0078-0079) of at least one of the signal components, and/or b) determining an arrival time (TOA, paragraph 0093) of at least one of the signal components. Regarding claim 3, Dai discloses comprising at least one of the following elements: a) filtering, the signal components based on a respective arrival time of a relevant signal component to eliminate such signal components associated with higher order reflections, b) determining the position of the at least one radio signal source based on the at least one property of at least one of the selected signal components and the position information (see Fig. 6, the sensing is based only on first and second order reflection implies high order reflected signals are eliminated/filtered out). Regarding claim 4, Dai discloses method according to claim 1, comprising: identifying at least one object based on an angle of incidence of at least one of the signal components and on the position information, and determining a position of a reflection point of at least one of the signal components on the object based on an angle of incidence of at least one of the signal components and the position information (identify a set of reflective objects that have a LOS path to the designated range with respect to the first wireless device, paragraph 0132-0133). Regarding claim 5, Dai discloses method according to claim 1, comprising: using further signal components to reduce an uncertainty regarding the determination of the position of the at least one radio signal source (step 1114, Fig. 11, the first wireless device may receive a path report from the second wireless device based on a first indication of a type of reflector associated with the reflective object and a second indication of a position associated with the reflective object. The sensing signal configuration may include the first indication and the second indication, paragraph 0129). Regarding claim 6, Dai discloses method according to claim 1, wherein the method is used in an indoor environment. Regarding claim 8, Dai discloses an apparatus for performing the method according to claim 1 (see Fig. 3). Regarding claim 10, Dai discloses a terminal device (UE) for a wireless communication system comprising at least one apparatus according to claim 8 (see controller 359 in UE 350, Fig. 3, paragraph 0065). Regarding claims 6, 11, Dai discloses a system for an industrial environment comprising at least one apparatus according to claim 8 (Bluetooth, wi-fi based, 5G, paragraphs 0047-0048)(the system can be implemented indoors or outdoors). Regarding claim 7, Dai discloses wherein a) the at least one radio signal source is mobile (wireless node 502 in Fig. 5) and/or wherein b) the at least one radio signal source is a terminal device for a wireless communication system, and/or wherein c) the at least one radio signal source is a network-side device, for example a base station for a wireless communication system. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to HARRY K LIU whose telephone number is (571)270-1338. The examiner can normally be reached on every M-F 10 AM to 6:30 PM. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, please leave a voice message with application serial number and nature of call, a response within 24 hours can be expected during regular business days. Also, the Examiner’s supervisor Hodge, Robert W. can be reached at (571) 272-6496. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-270-2338. 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. /HARRY K LIU/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3645 Tel: (571) 270-1338 Fax: (571) 270-2338 Email: harry.liu@uspto.gov
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Prosecution Timeline

Mar 19, 2024
Application Filed
Jan 06, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §102
Apr 02, 2026
Examiner Interview Summary
Apr 02, 2026
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)
Apr 06, 2026
Response Filed

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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
91%
Grant Probability
96%
With Interview (+5.0%)
2y 7m
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 1303 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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