Prosecution Insights
Last updated: July 17, 2026
Application No. 18/639,130

Position and Motion Modulation to Communicate Information

Non-Final OA §103
Filed
Apr 18, 2024
Priority
Dec 16, 2022 — CIP of 12/401,425 +4 more
Examiner
SANDHU, AMRITBIR K
Art Unit
2634
Tech Center
2600 — Communications
Assignee
The Boeing Company
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
83%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
94%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 83% — above average
83%
Career Allowance Rate
585 granted / 706 resolved
+20.9% vs TC avg
Moderate +11% lift
Without
With
+10.7%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 3m
Avg Prosecution
20 currently pending
Career history
719
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.6%
-39.4% vs TC avg
§103
70.6%
+30.6% vs TC avg
§102
0.8%
-39.2% vs TC avg
§112
3.9%
-36.1% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 706 resolved cases

Office Action

§103
CTNF 18/639,130 CTNF 87723 DETAILED ACTION Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status 07-03-aia AIA 15-10-aia The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA. Information Disclosure Statement 2. The Information Disclosure Statements filed on 04/18/2024, 06/04/2024, 11/19/2024, 05/15/2025, 06/09/2025, 09/04/2025, 11/11/2025, 02/10/2025, 03/05/2026 and 05/20/2026 have been considered. Double Patenting 08-33 AIA The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg , 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman , 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi , 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum , 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel , 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Thorington , 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969). A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on nonstatutory double patenting provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with the examined application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. See MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP § 2146 et seq. for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA. A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b). The filing of a terminal disclaimer by itself is not a complete reply to a nonstatutory double patenting (NSDP) rejection. A complete reply requires that the terminal disclaimer be accompanied by a reply requesting reconsideration of the prior Office action. Even where the NSDP rejection is provisional the reply must be complete. See MPEP § 804, subsection I.B.1. For a reply to a non-final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.111(a). For a reply to final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.113(c). A request for reconsideration while not provided for in 37 CFR 1.113(c) may be filed after final for consideration. See MPEP §§ 706.07(e) and 714.13. The USPTO Internet website contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms. The actual filing date of the application in which the form is filed determines what form (e.g., PTO/SB/25, PTO/SB/26, PTO/AIA/25, or PTO/AIA/26) should be used. A web-based eTerminal Disclaimer may be filled out completely online using web-screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets all requirements is auto processed and approved immediately upon submission. For more information about eTerminal Disclaimers, refer to www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/applying-online/eterminal-disclaimer. Claims 1,4,9,10,11,12,13,16, 22, 23 and 24 provisionally rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1,2,3,14,15,16,17,18, 29,30 and 31 of copending Application No. 18/639069 (reference application) in view of Safai (US 2021/0364476). Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other as reproduced below. This is a provisional nonstatutory double patenting rejection because the patentably indistinct claims have not in fact been patented. Claim 1 Application # 18/639130 Claim 1 of co-pending 18/639069 A communications system comprising: A communications system comprising: a laser generation system configured to emit a set of laser beams; a laser generation system configured to emit a set of laser beams; a computer system; and a computer system; and a communications manager in the computer system, wherein the communications manager is configured to: a communications manager in the computer system, wherein the communications manager is configured to: identify digital information for transmission; and identify digital information for transmission; and control an emission of the set of laser beams by the laser generation system to generate electromagnetic radiation at positions in a space with motions between the positions, with the positions and the motions between the positions thereby encoding the digital information. See note below control an emission of the set of laser beams by the laser generation system to generate electromagnetic radiation with motions between positions in a space to thereby encode the digital information. However, claim 1 of co-pending application # 18/639069 does not explicitly disclose, “with the positions and the motions between the positions”. In a related field of endeavor, Safai discloses the excitation laser 106 and configured to direct an excitation laser beam 118 generated by the excitation laser 106 in a scanning motion across the surface 102 of the object 104 and a controller that is configured to control the first AOD and the third AOD to synchronize modulation of the position of the excitation laser beam and the detection laser beam along the path parallel with the first direction; see paragraphs 7, 42 and figure 1, and the motivation for one of the ordinary skilled in the art before the effective filling date of the invention is to provide position modulation of the laser beam. Claim 4 Application # 18/639130 Claim 2 of co-pending 18/639069 The communications system of claim 1, wherein as part of controlling the emission of the set of laser beams, the communications manager is configured to: The communications system of claim 1, wherein as part of controlling the emission of the set of laser beams, the communications manager is configured to: control the emission of the set of laser beams to generate the electromagnetic radiation at the positions in the space that encode the digital information without waiting for a decay time of the electromagnetic radiation to elapse between the positions. See note above generate the electromagnetic radiation without waiting for a decay time of the electromagnetic radiation to elapse at the positions. Claim 9 of application 18/639130 Claim 3 co-pending 18/639069 The communications system of claim 1, wherein as part of controlling the emission of the set of laser beams, the communications manager is further configured to: The communications system of claim 1, wherein as part of controlling the emission of the set of laser beams, the communications manager is further configured to: move the set of laser beams to generate the electromagnetic radiation at a number of intermediate positions while moving the set of laser beams from one position to another position in the positions. move the set of laser beams to generate the electromagnetic radiation at a number of intermediate positions while moving the set of laser beams from one position to another position in the positions. Claim 10 of Application # 18/639130 Claim 14 co-pending 18/639069 The communications system of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic radiation is selected from at least one of a visible light, an ultraviolet light, an infrared light, radio frequencies, or x-rays. The communications system of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic radiation is selected from at least one of a visible light, an ultraviolet light, an infrared light, radio frequencies, or x-rays. Claim 11 of Application # 18/639130 Claim 15 co-pending 18/639069 The communications system of claim 1, further comprising: The communications system of claim 1, further comprising: a receiver configured to: detect electromagnetic radiation; and a receiver configured to detect electromagnetic radiation and determine the digital information from the electromagnetic radiation that is detected wherein the digital information is determined from at least one of the positions or the motions. See note above determine the digital information from the motions between the positions from which the electromagnetic radiation is detected. Claims 1,12 application # 18/639130 Claim 16 co-pending 18/639069 The communications system of claim 1, wherein the positions are: The communications system of claim 1, wherein the motions between the positions are: on a surface of an object in the space; or in an empty space. on a surface of an object in the space; or in an empty space. Claim 13 of Application 18/639130 Claim 17 of co-pending 18/639069 A method for communicating digital information, the method comprising: A method for communicating digital information, the method comprising: identifying the digital information for transmission; and identifying digital information for transmission; and controlling an emission of a set of laser beams to generate electromagnetic radiation at positions in a space with motions between the positions, with the positions and the motions between the positions thereby encoding the digital information. See note below controlling an emission of a set of laser beams by a laser generation system to generate electromagnetic radiation with motions between positions in a space to thereby encode the digital information . However, claim 17 of co-pending application # 18/639069 does not explicitly disclose, “with the positions and the motions between the positions”. In a related field of endeavor, Safai discloses the excitation laser 106 and configured to direct an excitation laser beam 118 generated by the excitation laser 106 in a scanning motion across the surface 102 of the object 104 and a controller that is configured to control the first AOD and the third AOD to synchronize modulation of the position of the excitation laser beam and the detection laser beam along the path parallel with the first direction; see paragraphs 7, 42 and figure 1, and the motivation for one of the ordinary skilled in the art before the effective filling date of the invention is to provide position modulation of the laser beam. Claim 16 of Application 18/639130 Claim 18 co-pending 18/639069 The method of claim 13, wherein said controlling the emission of the set of laser beams comprises: The method of claim 17, wherein said controlling the emission of the set of laser beams comprises: controlling the emission of the set of laser beams to generate the electromagnetic radiation at the positions in the space that encode the digital information without waiting for a decay time of the electromagnetic radiation to elapse between the positions. See note above for claim 13 generating the electromagnetic radiation without waiting for a decay time of the electromagnetic radiation to elapse at the positions. Claim 22 of Application 18/639130 Claim 29 co-pending 18/639069 The method of claim 13, wherein the electromagnetic radiation is selected from at least one of a visible light, an ultraviolet light, an infrared light, radio frequencies, or x-rays. The method of claim 17, wherein the electromagnetic radiation is selected from at least one of a visible light, an ultraviolet light, an infrared light, radio frequencies, or x-rays. Claim 23 Application # 18/639130 Claim 30 of co-pending 18/639069 The method of claim 13, further comprising: The method of claim 17, further comprising: detecting the electromagnetic radiation; and determining the digital information from the positions at which the electromagnetic radiation is detected and the motions between the positions. See note above for claim 13 detecting electromagnetic radiation; and determining the digital information from the motions between the positions from which the electromagnetic radiation is detected. Claim 24 of Application # 18/639130 Claim 31 Co-pending 18/639069 The method of claim 13, wherein the positions are: The method of claim 17, wherein the motions between the positions are: on a surface of an object in the space; or in an empty space. on a surface of an object in the space; or in an empty space. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 07-20-aia AIA 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. 07-23-aia AIA 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. 07-20-02-aia AIA 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. 07-21-aia AIA Claim s 1,11 and 12 are rejected under 35 USC 103 as being unpatentable over Barnwell et al; (US 12580650) in view of Christian et al; (Analysis and Improvement of motion encoding in magnetic resonance encoding – 2018 attached) . Regarding claim 1, Barnwell discloses a communications system ;(communication system with transmitter 202 and receiver 206, see figure 3) comprising: a laser generation system configured to emit a set of laser beams; ( the one or more transmitters 202 create the plasma at the atmospheric point 302, which radiates omnidirectional light 304 with a direct line-of-sight to the receiver 206, see column 2, lines 45-48 and figure 3) a computer system; and a communications manager in the computer system, (one or more transmitters 202 in a mobile or stationary platform (a vehicle, airplane, train), see column 3, lines 14-16 and figure 3) wherein the communications manager is configured to: identify digital information for transmission; (the pulsed modulation technique may be used with the laser to modulate the signal, see column 3, lines 7-9 and figure 3) and control an emission of the set of laser beams by the laser generation system to generate electromagnetic radiation to thereby encode the digital information ;( one or more transmitters 202 in a mobile or stationary platform (a vehicle, airplane, train) provide a combination of pulsed modulation techniques are used, each pulsed modulation technique may encode a signal for the same data or encode a signal for different data, see column 3, lines 11-23 and figure 3). However, Barnwell does not explicitly disclose at positions in a space with motions between positions, with the positions and the motions between the positions. In a related field of endeavor, Christian discloses at positions in a space with motions between positions, with the positions and the motions between the positions ; ( different motion sensitization strategies with respect to their motion encoding efficiency in two fundamental encoding limits, see Abstract and figure 1). Thus, it would be obvious for one of the ordinary skilled in the art before the effective filling date of the invention to combine the motion modulation of Barnwell with Christian to provide Motion-guided Modulation and the motivation is to provide improved data sensitivity and noise immunity. Regarding claim 11, Barnwell discloses the communications system of claim 1, further comprising: a receiver configured to: detect electromagnetic radiation; (omnidirectional light 304 with a direct line-of-sight to the receiver 206, see column 2, lines 45-48 and figure 3) and determine the digital information from which the electromagnetic radiation is that is detected, wherein the digital information ;(the signal is demodulated from the transmitted plasma at each receiver, thereby transmitting information encoded on the signal, see column 2, lines 54-56). However, Barnwell does not explicitly is determined from at least one of the positions or the motions. In a related field of endeavor, Christian is determined from at least one of the positions or the motions; ( different motion sensitization strategies with respect to their motion encoding efficiency in two fundamental encoding limits, see Abstract and figure 1). Motivation same as claim 1. Regarding claim 12, Barnwell discloses the communications system of claim 1, wherein the positions are: on a surface of an object in the space; or in an empty space ;( two or more transmitters 202 emitting laser pulses at different atmospheric points; see column 2, line 67 and column 3, line 1) . 07-21-aia AIA Claim 10 is rejected under 35 USC 103 as being unpatentable over Barnwell et al; (US 12580650) in view of Christian et al; (A Simple Sign-Bit Probabilistic Shaping Scheme- April 2022 attached) and further in view of Morel et al; (US 2020/0191721) . Regarding claim 10, the combination of Barnwell and Christian does not explicitly disclose the communications system of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic radiation is selected from at least one of a visible light, an ultraviolet light, an infrared light, radio frequencies, or x-rays. In a related field of endeavor, Morel discloses the communications system of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic radiation is selected from at least one of a visible light, an ultraviolet light, an infrared light, radio frequencies, ( for enhancing and suppressing (modulating) radio frequency (RF) emissions in a laser induced plasma system using a second laser, see Abstract and figure 1) or x-rays. ( Only one of the claim limitation is required to be considered by the Examiner). Thus, it would be obvious for one of the ordinary skilled in the art before the effective filling date of the invention to combine the radio frequency (RF) signals of Morel with Barnwell and Christian to provide the generation of radio frequency signals by the lase induced plasma and the motivation is to provide generation of radio frequency signals . 07-21-aia AIA Claim s 13, 23 and 24 are rejected under 35 USC 103 as being unpatentable over Barnwell et al; (US 12580650) in view of Christian et al; (A Simple Sign-Bit Probabilistic Shaping Scheme- April 2022 attached) . Regarding claim 13, Barnwell discloses a method for communicating digital information, ;(communication system with transmitter 202 and receiver 206, see figure 3) the method comprising: identifying the digital information for transmission; (the pulsed modulation technique may be used with the laser to modulate the signal, see column 3, lines 7-9 and figure 3) and controlling an emission of a set of laser beams to generate electromagnetic radiation at positions in a space thereby encode the digital information ;( one or more transmitters 202 in a mobile or stationary platform (a vehicle, airplane, train) provide a combination of pulsed modulation techniques are used, each pulsed modulation technique may encode a signal for the same data or encode a signal for different data, see column 3, lines 11-23 and figure 3 and two or more transmitters 202 emitting laser pulses at different atmospheric points (positions in space); see column 2, line 67 and column 3, line 1).). However, Barnwell does not explicitly disclose with motions between the positions, with the positions and the motions between the positions. In a related field of endeavor, Christian discloses with motions between positions, , with the positions and the motions between the positions ; ( different motion sensitization strategies with respect to their motion encoding efficiency in two fundamental encoding limits, see Abstract and figure 1). Thus, it would be obvious for one of the ordinary skilled in the art before the effective filling date of the invention to combine the motion modulation of Barnwell with Christian to provide Motion-guided Modulation and the motivation is to provide improved data sensitivity and noise immunity. Regarding claim 23, Barwell discloses the method of claim 13, further comprising: detecting electromagnetic radiation; (omnidirectional light 304 with a direct line-of-sight to the receiver 206, see column 2, lines 45-48 and figure 3) and determining the digital information from which the electromagnetic radiation is detected ;(the signal is demodulated from the transmitted plasma at each receiver, thereby transmitting information encoded on the signal, see column 2, lines 54-56). However, Barnwell does not explicitly disclose from the positions and the motions between the positions. In a related field of endeavor, Christian discloses from the positions and the motions between the positions ; ( different motion sensitization strategies with respect to their motion encoding efficiency in two fundamental encoding limits, see Abstract and figure 1). Motivation same as claim 13. Regarding claim 24, Christian discloses the method of claim 13, wherein the positions are: on a surface of an object in the space; or in an empty space ;( two or more transmitters 202 emitting laser pulses at different atmospheric points; see column 2, line 67 and column 3, line 1) . 07-21-aia AIA Claim 22 is rejected under 35 USC 103 as being unpatentable over Barnwell et al; (US 12580650) in view of Christian et al; (A Simple Sign-Bit Probabilistic Shaping Scheme- April 2022 attached) and further in view of Morel et al; (US 2020/0191721) . Regarding claim 22, the combination of Barnwell and Christian does not explicitly disclose the method of claim 13, wherein the electromagnetic radiation is selected from at least one of a visible light, an ultraviolet light, an infrared light, radio frequencies, or x-rays. In a related field of endeavor, discloses the method of claim 13, wherein the electromagnetic radiation is selected from at least one of a visible light, an ultraviolet light, an infrared light, radio frequencies, or x-rays, ( for enhancing and suppressing (modulating) radio frequency (RF) emissions in a laser induced plasma system using a second laser, see Abstract and figure 1) or x-rays. ( Only one of the claim limitation is required to be considered by the Examiner). Thus, it would be obvious for one of the ordinary skilled in the art before the effective filling date of the invention to combine the radio frequency (RF) signals of Morel with Barnwell and Christian to provide the generation of radio frequency signals by the lase induced plasma and the motivation is to provide generation of radio frequency signals . Allowable Subject Matter 12-151-08 AIA 07-43 12-51-08 3. Claim s 2,3, 5-8,14,15,17-21 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims. Conclusion 07-96 AIA 4. The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure as reproduced below . a. Englesbe et al; (US 2022/0390553 A1) discloses an ultrashort laser pulse generating causes the formation of plasma having a predetermined temporal and spatial duration and the plasma generates an electron wave in the gas medium that moves with the plasma as travels through the gas until the plasma terminates, see figure 1. b. Kim et al; (US 10601517) discloses a system and method for probabilistic shaping of an eight-dimensional super-symbol in optical transport networks, including receiving binary data to be transmitted as an optical signal; mapping at least a portion of the binary data to symbols of a M-QAM constellation ;see figure 4. c. Gu et al; (Motion Matters: Motion-guided Modulation Network for Skeleton-based Micro-Action Recognition – November 2025 attached) discloses novel Motion-guided Modulation Network (MMN) that implicitly captures and modulates subtle motion cues to enhance spatial-temporal representation learning, see figure 2. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to AMRITBIR K SANDHU whose telephone number is (571)270-1894. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9am to 5pm. 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, Kenneth Vanderpuye can be reached at 571-272-3078. 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. /AMRITBIR K SANDHU/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2634 Application/Control Number: 18/639,130 Page 2 Art Unit: 2634
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Apr 18, 2024
Application Filed
Jun 16, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103
Jul 08, 2026
Response Filed

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
83%
Grant Probability
94%
With Interview (+10.7%)
2y 3m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 706 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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