Prosecution Insights
Last updated: July 17, 2026
Application No. 18/681,339

Wireless Network Communication Method, Electronic Device, and Storage Medium

Final Rejection §103
Filed
Feb 05, 2024
Priority
Aug 06, 2021 — CN 2021109025606 +1 more
Examiner
PASIA, REDENTOR M
Art Unit
2413
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
ZTE Corporation
OA Round
2 (Final)
80%
Grant Probability
Favorable
3-4
OA Rounds
10m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 80% — above average
80%
Career Allowance Rate
538 granted / 677 resolved
+21.5% vs TC avg
Strong +23% interview lift
Without
With
+22.6%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 3m
Avg Prosecution
27 currently pending
Career history
719
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
1.0%
-39.0% vs TC avg
§103
85.4%
+45.4% vs TC avg
§102
5.4%
-34.6% vs TC avg
§112
4.0%
-36.0% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 677 resolved cases

Office Action

§103
DETAILED ACTION Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . Response to Amendment Applicant's amendment filed on 04/16/2026 has been entered. Claims 1, 27 and 58 have been amended. No claims have been added or cancelled. Claims 1-8, 10-12, 27, 39, 58, 61-64, 66 and 69 still pending in this application, with claims 1, 27 and 58, being independent. Response to Arguments Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) 1-8, 10-12, 27, 39, 58, 61-64, 66 and 69 have been considered but are moot based on new grounds of rejections. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action: A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made. This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention. Claim(s) 1-8, 10-11, 27, 39, 58, 61-64, 66 and 69 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Wang et al. (US 2022/0361267; hereinafter Wang) in view of Back et al. (US 2023/0363020 A1; hereinafter Back) and Lee et al. (US 2019/0045526 A1; hereinafter Lee). Regarding claim 1, Wang shows a wireless network communication method (Figures 8-9 shows a wireless network communication method.), comprising: establishing, by a mobile terminal, a link with a first network element (Figure 8, step 831; Par. 0049; remote UE 801 initiates establishment of a link with relay UE 802 by sending an RRC message of Relay Channel Establishment Request to relay UE 802.), wherein establishing, by the mobile terminal, the link with the first network element comprises: transmitting a signal in a specific form on a specific channel, so that the first network element detects the signal in the specific form on the specific channel (Figures 8-9; Par. 0049; remote UE 801 sends a RRC message: Relay channel establishment Request to relay UE 802. A PC5-S message (e.g. service request) is encapsulated in this RRC message indicating the service request for a particular application based on relaying. Within this message, the required sidelink radio bearer (SLRB) (i.e. link being established) and/or corresponding QoS flow to support Layer-3 IP routing for the UE pair indicated by a pair of IP address/prefix is included. The RRC message is transmitted on a PC5 channel.) wherein the link is used by the first network element to relay a signal between the mobile terminal and a second network element (Figures 8-9; Par. 0049; relay UE 802 routes traffic between remote UE 801 and remote UE 803 based on information (i.e. required SLRB) included in the Relay channel establishment Request.); wherein the specific channel is one channel selected by the mobile terminal from a plurality of candidate channels (Figures 8-9; Par. 0050; one or more SLRB is established between the remote UE 801 and relay UE 802 for traffic between remote UE 801 and remote UE 803. In order for relay UE 802 to perform transmission prioritization for received data flow for a particular SLRB e.g. the SLRB between remote UE 801 and relay UE 802, the end-to-end SLRB ID can be inserted into the packet header (i.e. IP header, SDAP header or PDCP header). Relay UE 802 knows the QoS information for the end-to-end SLRB. Relay UE 802 performs transmission prioritization e.g. at LCP of MAC for next hop transmission for data flow.) pre-defined by a protocol (Par. 0005; the relay channel is a RLC channel with the configuration of RLC and MAC logic channel.). Wang shows all of the elements except wherein a mapping relationship between a type of the first network element or a length of the signal in the specific form and a size of a time window of the specific channel is preset by the mobile terminal, so that the type of the first network element or the length of the signal in the specific form is mapped to the size of the time window of the specific channel; or, the mapping relationship between the type of the first network element or the length of the signal in the specific form and the size of the time window of the specific channel is preset by the protocol, so that the type of the first network element or the length of the signal in the specific form is mapped to the size of the time window of the specific channel. However, the above-mentioned claim limitations are well-established in the art as evidenced by Back and Lee. First, Back shows wherein a mapping relationship between a type of the first network element or a length of the signal in the specific form (Examiner elects this claim limitation for prosecution.) and a size of a time window of the specific channel, so that the type of the first network element or the length of the signal in the specific form is mapped to the size of the time window of the specific channel (Examiner elects this claim limitation for prosecution. Par. 0118; the resource (re)selection procedure may include identifying a candidate resource in a resource selection window by a second UE and selecting a resource for (re)transmission from among the identified candidate resources. For example, the resource selection window may be a time interval in which the UE selects a resource for SL transmission. For example, after the second UE triggers resource (re)selection, the resource selection window may start at T1 ≥ 0, and the resource selection window may be limited by a remaining packet delay budget of the second UE.); or, the mapping relationship between the type of the first network element or the length of the signal in the specific form and the size of the time window of the specific channel is preset by the protocol, so that the type of the first network element or the length of the signal in the specific form is mapped to the size of the time window of the specific channel. In view of the above, having the system of Wang, then given the well-established teaching of Back, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Wang as taught by Back, in order to provide motivation for the mobility procedure to the relay UE to be optimized (Par. 0026 of Back). Second, Lee shows a time window of the specific channel is preset by the mobile terminal or preset by the protocol (Par. 0108; a V2X transmission wireless device slides or move a basic resource unit having a size or window as pre-defined or signaled from a network or a serving base station, from a specific timing (e.g., subframe#N, as denoted SF#), the V2X transmission wireless device may define V2X transmission resource candidates related to V2X message transmission. Here, the V2X transmission wireless device may be interpreted as carrying out its own V2X (data and/or control) message transmission using the corresponding basic resource unit (as pre-configured or pre-signaled).). In view of the above, having the system of Wang, then given the well-established teaching of Lee, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Wang as taught by Lee, in order to provide motivation for increasing the reliability of the V2X operation and the efficiency of resource usage (Par. 0018 of Lee). Regarding claim 2, modified Wang shows wherein the specific channel satisfies at least one of the following conditions: the specific channel is selected by the mobile terminal from a plurality of pre-defined channels (Examiner elects this claim limitation for prosecution. Wang: Figures 8-9; Par. 0050; one or more SLRB is established between the remote UE 801 and relay UE 802 for traffic between remote UE 801 and remote UE 803. In order for relay UE 802 to perform transmission prioritization for received data flow for a particular SLRB e.g. the SLRB between remote UE 801 and relay UE 802, the end-to-end SLRB ID can be inserted into the packet header (i.e. IP header, SDAP header or PDCP header). Relay UE 802 knows the QoS information for the end-to-end SLRB. Relay UE 802 performs transmission prioritization e.g. at LCP of MAC for next hop transmission for data flow.); a time window of the specific channel is determined according to a type of the first network element or a length of the signal in the specific form; a frequency domain start position or a frequency domain center position of the specific channel is determined according to the type of the first network element; the frequency domain start position of the specific channel is determined according to a value of a start symbol of the signal in the specific form; a frequency domain range of the specific channel is determined according to the type of the first network element or the length of the signal in the specific form; a frequency domain spacing of the specific channel is determined according to the type of the first network element; a sub-carrier spacing of the specific channel is determined according to a carrier frequency; a start sub-carrier of the specific channel is determined according to the carrier frequency; the specific channel is selected by the second network element from a plurality of pre-defined channels; a time window of the specific channel is specified by the second network element; a frequency domain position of the specific channel is specified by the second network element; a frequency domain range of the specific channel is specified by the second network element; and a start time of the specific channel is determined by a half-frame time of a synchronization signal block of a cell where the second network element is located. Regarding claim 3, modified Wang shows wherein the signal in the specific form satisfies at least one of the following conditions: a composition structure of the signal in the specific form is determined according to a type of the first network element; a type of the signal in the specific form is determined according to a type of the mobile terminal; a sequence of the signal in the specific form is determined according to the type of the first network element or a frequency domain position of the specific channel; a length of the signal in the specific form is determined according to a frequency domain range of the specific channel or a time window of the specific channel; a length of a preamble portion of the signal in the specific form is determined according to the type of the first network element; the signal in the specific form contains identifier information of the mobile terminal; the signal in the specific form contains capability information of the mobile terminal; a sequence of the signal in the specific form is determined by the second network element according to an index number of a cell served by the second network element or identifier information of the first network element, wherein the identifier information of the first network element is notified by the second network element to the mobile terminal; the sequence of the signal in the specific form is determined by the second network element according to an integer configured by the second network element for the mobile terminal, wherein the integer and the sequence have a mapping relationship; and the signal in the specific form contains identifier information of the mobile terminal (Examiner elects this claim limitation for prosecution. Wang: Figures 8-9; Par. 0048-0049; A PC5-S message (e.g. service request) is encapsulated in this RRC message indicating the service request for a particular application based on relaying. Within this message, the required SLRB and/or corresponding QoS flow to support Layer-3 IP routing for the UE pair indicated by a pair of IP address/prefix is included.). Regarding claim 4, modified Wang shows wherein after transmitting, by the mobile terminal, the signal in the specific form on the specific channel, the method further comprises: receiving, by the mobile terminal, acknowledgment information sent by the first network element, wherein the acknowledgment information sent by the first network element is used for acknowledging that the first network element has detected the signal in the specific form or has detected the mobile terminal (Wang: Figures 8-9; Par. 0049; At step 833, in response to the Relay channel establishment Request, the relay UE 802 sends a PC5 RRC message or Relay Channel (SLRB) establishment Command to remote UE 801.). Regarding claim 5, modified Wang shows wherein the acknowledgment information sent by the first network element satisfies at least one of the following conditions: the acknowledgment information sent by the first network element contains identifier information of the first network element (Examiner elects this claim limitation for prosecution. Wang: Par. 0035; Relay UE ID is also included Relay Channel Establishment Command to indicate that the Relay Channel is established for a pair of remote UE and relay UE specific to one PC5 link.); the acknowledgment information sent by the first network element contains identifier information of the mobile terminal; the acknowledgment information sent by the first network element is another signal transmitted in the specific form (Examiner elects this claim limitation for prosecution. Wang: Figures 8-9; Par. 0049; At step 833, in response to the Relay channel establishment Request, the relay UE 802 sends a PC5 RRC message or Relay Channel (SLRB) establishment Command to remote UE 801.); the acknowledgment information sent by the first network element is a signal transmitted in a form of a message (Examiner elects this claim limitation for prosecution. Wang: Figures 8-9; Par. 0049; At step 833, in response to the Relay channel establishment Request, the relay UE 802 sends a PC5 RRC message or Relay Channel (SLRB) establishment Command to remote UE 801.); the acknowledgment information sent by the first network element is a signal transmitted in a form of a signaling (Examiner elects this claim limitation for prosecution. Wang: Figures 8-9; Par. 0049; At step 833, in response to the Relay channel establishment Request, the relay UE 802 sends a PC5 RRC message or Relay Channel (SLRB) establishment Command to remote UE 801.); the acknowledgment information sent by the first network element is a signal transmitted via a dedicated channel; first acknowledgment information sent by the first network element is a signal transmitted via a channel customized for the mobile terminal; and the first acknowledgment information sent by the first network element is a signal transmitted via a broadcast channel. Regarding claim 6, modified Wang shows wherein the method further comprises: sending, by the mobile terminal, first request information to the first network element, wherein the first request information is used for representing that the mobile terminal requests the first network element to enable a service for the mobile terminal (Wang: Figures 8-9; Par. 0049; remote UE 801 sends a RRC message: Relay channel establishment Request to relay UE 802 from AS layer perspective. A PC5-S message (e.g. service request) is encapsulated in this RRC message indicating the service request for a particular application based on relaying.) or disable a service for the mobile terminal. Regarding claim 7, modified Wang shows wherein the first request information is contained in the signal in the specific form transmitted by the mobile terminal (Examiner elects this claim limitation for prosecution. Wang: Figures 8-9; Par. 0049; remote UE 801 sends a RRC message: Relay channel establishment Request to relay UE 802 from AS layer perspective. A PC5-S message (e.g. service request) is encapsulated in this RRC message indicating the service request for a particular application based on relaying.), or the first request information is contained in another signal different from the signal in the specific form transmitted by the mobile terminal, and said another signal is separately transmitted to the first network element. Regarding claim 8, modified Wang shows wherein after sending, by the mobile terminal, the first request information to the first network element, the method further comprises: receiving, by the mobile terminal, first response information sent by the first network element, wherein the first response information is used for representing that the first network element accepts a request of the mobile terminal (Examiner elects this claim limitation for prosecution. Wang: Figures 8-9; Par. 0049; At step 833, in response to the Relay channel establishment Request, the relay UE 802 sends a PC5 RRC message or Relay Channel (SLRB) establishment Command to remote UE 801.) or rejects the request of the mobile terminal. Regarding claim 10, modified Wang shows wherein the first response information and the-acknowledgment information sent by the first network element to the mobile terminal after receiving, from the mobile terminal, the signal in the specific form on the specific channel are contained in the same signal and sent to the mobile terminal (Examiner elects this claim limitation for prosecution. Wang: Figures 8-9; Par. 0049; At step 833, in response to the Relay channel establishment Request, the relay UE 802 sends a PC5 RRC message or Relay Channel (SLRB) establishment Command to remote UE 801.), or the first response information and the acknowledgment information sent by the first network element are contained in different signals, and the different signals are separately transmitted to the mobile terminal, wherein the acknowledgment information sent by the first network element is used for acknowledging that the first network element has detected the signal in the specific form (Examiner elects this claim limitation for prosecution. Wang: Figures 8-9; Par. 0049; At step 833, in response to the Relay channel establishment Request, the relay UE 802 sends a PC5 RRC message or Relay Channel (SLRB) establishment Command to remote UE 801.) or has detected the mobile terminal. Regarding claim 11, modified Wang shows wherein the service comprises at least one of: relaying, by the first network element, the signal sent by the mobile terminal to the second network element (Examiner elects this claim limitation for prosecution. Wang: Figures 8-9; Par. 0049; relay UE 802 routes traffic between remote UE 801 and remote UE 803 based on information (i.e. required SLRB) included in the Relay channel establishment Request.); relaying, by the first network element, the signal sent by the second network element to the mobile terminal; amplifying, by the first network element, the signal sent by the mobile terminal, and then relaying the amplified signal to the second network element; amplifying, by the first network element, the signal sent by the second network element, and then relaying the amplified signal to the mobile terminal; sending, by the first network element, position information of the mobile terminal to the second network element; sending, by the first network element, the position information of the mobile terminal to the mobile terminal; and providing, by the first network element, an emergency call for the mobile terminal. Regarding claim 27, Wang shows a wireless network communication method (Figures 8-9 shows a wireless network communication method.), comprising: establishing, by a first network element, a link with a mobile terminal (Figure 8, step 831; Par. 0049; relay UE 802 performs establishment of a link with remote UE 801 upon receiving an RRC message of Relay Channel Establishment Request from the remote UE 80.), wherein establishing, by the first network element, the link with the mobile terminal comprises: detecting, on a specific channel, a signal in a specific form transmitted by the mobile terminal (Figures 8-9; Par. 0049; relay UE 802 receives a RRC message: Relay channel establishment Request from remote UE 801. A PC5-S message (e.g. service request) is encapsulated in this RRC message indicating the service request for a particular application based on relaying. Within this message, the required sidelink radio bearer (SLRB) (i.e. link being established) and/or corresponding QoS flow to support Layer-3 IP routing for the UE pair indicated by a pair of IP address/prefix is included. The RRC message is transmitted on a PC5 channel.); and relaying, by the first network element, a signal between the mobile terminal and a second network element according to the link (Figures 8-9; Par. 0049; relay UE 802 routes traffic between remote UE 801 and remote UE 803 based on information (i.e. required SLRB) included in the Relay channel establishment Request.); wherein the specific channel is one channel selected by the mobile terminal from a plurality of candidate channels (Figures 8-9; Par. 0050; one or more SLRB is established between the remote UE 801 and relay UE 802 for traffic between remote UE 801 and remote UE 803. In order for relay UE 802 to perform transmission prioritization for received data flow for a particular SLRB e.g. the SLRB between remote UE 801 and relay UE 802, the end-to-end SLRB ID can be inserted into the packet header (i.e. IP header, SDAP header or PDCP header). Relay UE 802 knows the QoS information for the end-to-end SLRB. Relay UE 802 performs transmission prioritization e.g. at LCP of MAC for next hop transmission for data flow.) pre-defined by a protocol (Par. 0005; the relay channel is a RLC channel with the configuration of RLC and MAC logic channel.). Wang shows all of the elements except wherein a mapping relationship between a type of the first network element or a length of the signal in the specific form and a size of a time window of the specific channel is preset by the mobile terminal, so that the type of the first network element or the length of the signal in the specific form is mapped to the size of the time window of the specific channel; or, the mapping relationship between the type of the first network element or the length of the signal in the specific form and the size of the time window of the specific channel is preset by the protocol, so that the type of the first network element or the length of the signal in the specific form is mapped to the size of the time window of the specific channel. However, the above-mentioned claim limitations are well-established in the art as evidenced by Back and Lee. First, Back shows wherein a mapping relationship between a type of the first network element or a length of the signal in the specific form (Examiner elects this claim limitation for prosecution.) and a size of a time window of the specific channel, so that the type of the first network element or the length of the signal in the specific form is mapped to the size of the time window of the specific channel (Examiner elects this claim limitation for prosecution. Par. 0118; the resource (re)selection procedure may include identifying a candidate resource in a resource selection window by a second UE and selecting a resource for (re)transmission from among the identified candidate resources. For example, the resource selection window may be a time interval in which the UE selects a resource for SL transmission. For example, after the second UE triggers resource (re)selection, the resource selection window may start at T1 ≥ 0, and the resource selection window may be limited by a remaining packet delay budget of the second UE.); or, the mapping relationship between the type of the first network element or the length of the signal in the specific form and the size of the time window of the specific channel is preset by the protocol, so that the type of the first network element or the length of the signal in the specific form is mapped to the size of the time window of the specific channel. In view of the above, having the system of Wang, then given the well-established teaching of Back, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Wang as taught by Back, in order to provide motivation for the mobility procedure to the relay UE to be optimized (Par. 0026 of Back). Second, Lee shows a time window of the specific channel is preset by the mobile terminal or preset by the protocol (Par. 0108; a V2X transmission wireless device slides or move a basic resource unit having a size or window as pre-defined or signaled from a network or a serving base station, from a specific timing (e.g., subframe#N, as denoted SF#), the V2X transmission wireless device may define V2X transmission resource candidates related to V2X message transmission. Here, the V2X transmission wireless device may be interpreted as carrying out its own V2X (data and/or control) message transmission using the corresponding basic resource unit (as pre-configured or pre-signaled).). In view of the above, having the system of Wang, then given the well-established teaching of Lee, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Wang as taught by Lee, in order to provide motivation for increasing the reliability of the V2X operation and the efficiency of resource usage (Par. 0018 of Lee). Regarding claim 39, modified Wang shows wherein after detecting, by the first network element, the signal in the specific form transmitted by the mobile terminal on the specific channel (Wang: Figures 8-9; Par. 0049; relay UE 802 receives a RRC message: Relay channel establishment Request from remote UE 801.), the method further comprises: receiving, by the first network element, fourth instruction information sent by the second network element, wherein the fourth instruction information is used for instructing the first network element to detect the signal in the specific form on the specific channel (Wang: Figures 8-9; Par. 0049; after the relay UE 802 receives a RRC message: Relay channel establishment Request from remote UE 801, remote UE 803 acknowledges with a PC5 RRC message of Relay Channel Establishment Complete message to relay UE 802.). Regarding claim 58, Wang shows a wireless network communication method (Figures 6 and 9 shows a wireless network communication method.), comprising: sending, by a second network element, first instruction information to a mobile terminal (Figure 6; Par. 0041; gNB 603 sends a Relay Channel Establishment Command to relay UE 602 to configure Sidelink Relay Channel (i.e. SLRB) with the intention to establish the necessary relay channel (i.e. SLRB) for sidelink relay. At step 651, relay UE 602 applies the relay channel (i.e. SLRB) configuration and sends a PC5 RRC message including Relay Channel Establishment Command to remote UE 601 to establish the PC5 Relay channel (i.e. SLRB) for relaying.), wherein the first instruction information is used for instructing the mobile terminal to transmit a signal in a specific form on a specific channel, so that a first network element detects the signal in the specific form on the specific channel (Figure 6; Par. 0041; remote UE acknowledges relay UE 602 via a PC5 RRC message including Relay Channel SLRB Establishment Complete message. In one embodiment, at step 653, relay UE 602 responds a Sidelink Configuration Complete (e.g. in RRC Reconfiguration complete) as an acknowledgement of the configuration to gNB 603.), wherein the first network element is used for relaying a signal between the mobile terminal and the second network element (Figures 6 and 9; Par. 0041-0043; relay UE 602 routes traffic between remote UE 601 and gNB 603 based on information (i.e. required SLRB).); wherein the specific channel is one channel selected by the mobile terminal from a plurality of candidate channels (Figures 8-9; Par. 0050; one or more SLRB is established between the remote UE 801 and relay UE 802 for traffic between remote UE 801 and remote UE 803. In order for relay UE 802 to perform transmission prioritization for received data flow for a particular SLRB e.g. the SLRB between remote UE 801 and relay UE 802, the end-to-end SLRB ID can be inserted into the packet header (i.e. IP header, SDAP header or PDCP header). Relay UE 802 knows the QoS information for the end-to-end SLRB. Relay UE 802 performs transmission prioritization e.g. at LCP of MAC for next hop transmission for data flow.) pre-defined by a protocol (Par. 0005; the relay channel is a RLC channel with the configuration of RLC and MAC logic channel.). Wang shows all of the elements except wherein a mapping relationship between a type of the first network element or a length of the signal in the specific form and a size of a time window of the specific channel is preset by the mobile terminal, so that the type of the first network element or the length of the signal in the specific form is mapped to the size of the time window of the specific channel; or, the mapping relationship between the type of the first network element or the length of the signal in the specific form and the size of the time window of the specific channel is preset by the protocol, so that the type of the first network element or the length of the signal in the specific form is mapped to the size of the time window of the specific channel. However, the above-mentioned claim limitations are well-established in the art as evidenced by Back and Lee. First, Back shows wherein a mapping relationship between a type of the first network element or a length of the signal in the specific form (Examiner elects this claim limitation for prosecution.) and a size of a time window of the specific channel, so that the type of the first network element or the length of the signal in the specific form is mapped to the size of the time window of the specific channel (Examiner elects this claim limitation for prosecution. Par. 0118; the resource (re)selection procedure may include identifying a candidate resource in a resource selection window by a second UE and selecting a resource for (re)transmission from among the identified candidate resources. For example, the resource selection window may be a time interval in which the UE selects a resource for SL transmission. For example, after the second UE triggers resource (re)selection, the resource selection window may start at T1 ≥ 0, and the resource selection window may be limited by a remaining packet delay budget of the second UE.); or, the mapping relationship between the type of the first network element or the length of the signal in the specific form and the size of the time window of the specific channel is preset by the protocol, so that the type of the first network element or the length of the signal in the specific form is mapped to the size of the time window of the specific channel. In view of the above, having the system of Wang, then given the well-established teaching of Back, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Wang as taught by Back, in order to provide motivation for the mobility procedure to the relay UE to be optimized (Par. 0026 of Back). Second, Lee shows a time window of the specific channel is preset by the mobile terminal or preset by the protocol (Par. 0108; a V2X transmission wireless device slides or move a basic resource unit having a size or window as pre-defined or signaled from a network or a serving base station, from a specific timing (e.g., subframe#N, as denoted SF#), the V2X transmission wireless device may define V2X transmission resource candidates related to V2X message transmission. Here, the V2X transmission wireless device may be interpreted as carrying out its own V2X (data and/or control) message transmission using the corresponding basic resource unit (as pre-configured or pre-signaled).). In view of the above, having the system of Wang, then given the well-established teaching of Lee, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Wang as taught by Lee, in order to provide motivation for increasing the reliability of the V2X operation and the efficiency of resource usage (Par. 0018 of Lee). Regarding claim 61, modified Wang shows wherein the method further comprises: receiving, by the second network element, acknowledgment information sent by the first network element, wherein the acknowledgment information sent by the first network element is used for acknowledging that the first network element has detected the signal in the specific form or has detected the mobile terminal (Wang: Figure 6; Par. 0042; at step 653, relay UE 602 responds a Sidelink Configuration Complete (e.g. in RRC Reconfiguration complete) as an acknowledgement of the configuration to gNB 603. In one embodiment, when the configuration provided by BS at step 641 includes Uu Radio Bearer configuration between relay UE 602 and gNB 603 feedbacks the radio reconfigure completion indication is included at step 653.). Regarding claim 62, modified Wang shows wherein the acknowledgment information sent by the first network element satisfies at least one of the following conditions: the acknowledgment information sent by the first network element contains identifier information of the first network element (Examiner elects this claim limitation for prosecution. Wang: Par. 0035; Relay UE ID is also included Relay Channel Establishment Command to indicate that the Relay Channel is established for a pair of remote UE and relay UE specific to one PC5 link.); and the acknowledgment information sent by the first network element contains identifier information of the mobile terminal. Regarding claim 63, modified Wang shows wherein the method further comprises: sending, by the second network element, third instruction information to the first network element, wherein the third instruction information is used for instructing the first network element to enable a service for the mobile terminal (Wang: Figure 6; Par. 0041; gNB 603 sends a Relay Channel Establishment Command to relay UE 602 to configure Sidelink Relay Channel (i.e. SLRB) with the intention to establish the necessary relay channel (i.e. SLRB) for sidelink relay.) or disable a service for the mobile terminal. Regarding claim 64, modified Wang shows wherein after sending, by the second network element, the third instruction information to the first network element, the method further comprises: receiving, by the second network element, second response information sent by the first network element, wherein the second response information is used for representing that the first network element accepts an instruction of the second network element (Examiner elects this claim limitation for prosecution. Wang: Figure 6; Par. 0042; at step 653, relay UE 602 responds a Sidelink Configuration Complete (e.g. in RRC Reconfiguration complete) as an acknowledgement of the configuration to gNB 603. In one embodiment, when the configuration provided by BS at step 641 includes Uu Radio Bearer configuration between relay UE 602 and gNB 603 feedbacks the radio reconfigure completion indication is included at step 653.) or rejects an instruction of the second network element. Regarding claim 66, modified Wang shows wherein the method further comprises: receiving, by the second network element, second request information sent by the mobile terminal, wherein the second request information is used for representing that the mobile terminal requests the second network element to instruct the first network element to enable a service for the mobile terminal or disable a service for the mobile terminal (Wang: Figure 6; Par. 0040; At step 631, remote UE 601 sends NAS message (i.e. service request) encapsulated in PC5 RRC as NAS PDU to relay UE 602. Relay UE 602 resolves the PC5 RRC message and forwards the NAS PDU as a Uu RRC message to the gNB 603 according to the appropriate indication in the received PC5 RRC message. The Service Request indicates a request from remote UE 601 to establish the necessary QoS flow to support the communication between remote UE 601 and gNB 603.). Regarding claim 69, modified Wang shows wherein after receiving, by the second network element, the second request information sent by the mobile terminal, the method further comprises: sending, by the second network element, third response information to the mobile terminal, wherein the third response information is used for representing that the second network element accepts a request of the mobile terminal or rejects the request of the mobile terminal (Wang: Figure 6; Par. 0040; At step 632, the network sends NAS message (i.e. service accept) to gNB 603, forwarded by relay UE 602 as a RRC message. The service accept message indicates an acknowledgement from the network for the service request.). Claim 12 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Wang in view of Back, Lee and an alternative embodiment of Wang. Regarding claim 12, modified Wang shows all of the elements except wherein before transmitting, by the mobile terminal, the signal in the specific form on the specific channel, the method further comprises: receiving, by the mobile terminal, first instruction information sent by the second network element, wherein the first instruction information is used for instructing the mobile terminal to transmit the signal in the specific form on the specific channel. However, the above-mentioned claim limitations are well-established in the art as evidenced by an alternative embodiment of Wang. Specifically, alternative embodiment of Wang shows wherein before transmitting, by the mobile terminal, the signal in the specific form on the specific channel, the method further comprises: receiving, by the mobile terminal, first instruction information sent by the second network element, wherein the first instruction information is used for instructing the mobile terminal to transmit the signal in the specific form on the specific channel (Figure 6; Par. 0040; At step 632, the network sends NAS message (i.e. service accept) to gNB 603, forwarded by relay UE 602 as a RRC message. The service accept message indicates an acknowledgement from the network for the service request.). In view of the above, having the system of Wang, then given the well-established teaching of the alternative embodiment of Wang, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Wang as taught by the alternative embodiment of Wang, in order to provide motivation for meeting the required improvements to establish sidelink relay channels to support the sidelink relay communication (Par. 0004-0005 of Wang). Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. US 12557166 B2 - Method and apparatus for path switch in a wireless communication system 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 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 REDENTOR M PASIA whose telephone number is (571)272-9745. The examiner can normally be reached Mondays-Thursdays - 5am-245pm and Fridays 5am-330pm. Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Un Cho can be reached at (571)272-7919. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /REDENTOR PASIA/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2413
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Prosecution Timeline

Feb 05, 2024
Application Filed
Jan 28, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103
Apr 16, 2026
Response Filed
Jun 30, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §103 (current)

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Prosecution Projections

3-4
Expected OA Rounds
80%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+22.6%)
3y 3m (~10m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
PTA Risk
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